Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-07-14

the doors so narrow that although
they allowed the workers to pass, the
corpu ent and mstrOnly queen could
not get through. And so this part
was grubless, as no eggs could be laid
there. From this rich treasury the
full honeycombs vanished periodically
but unaccountably, to the stupehed
amazement of the bees, and were re-
placed by empty combs, which the
toiliug insects, with inexhaustible pa
tierce, duly filed with honey. Then
they were again withdrawn. In their
efforts to put by a permanent store
the bees take life so seriously that
they usually kill themselves with
overwork in about FIVE weeks. If
they did not go at it so earnestly, they
might easily enjoy lifetime of year
The queens, who have nothing to do
but lay eggs, usually live tor iour
years. Still, this hive was taking an
unprecedented holiday to-day.
Our bee joined a party of the stay
at-homes who were watching with
mournful interest their stores diminish
under the voracious onslaught Of the
emigrants, who, like the Israehties
leaving Egypt, weretaking something
substantial with them. They were
gorging themselves as full as they
could hold with honey. This, of
course, was quite just, as they had
helped to gather it, and their pro-
ceedings, though silently deplored,
met with no opposition from those
who had elected to remain. But the
political situation in the hive had been
in a strained condition for several
days, and suddenly, at the western
boundary, disturbance arose. Scent
ing a fight, the bees instantly ran to-
ward the place where small group
had already collected, for the bee Is
very like man in her love OF brawl.
The commotion was at the edge ofoue
of the combs, where the royal cells
were passing their time of immature
princessdom.
The group was opposite the cell OF
tn. oldest, who would rule the hive
after the swarm had departed. In
the focus of the disturbance stood a
hot and portly female, very much e1-
cited. This was the old queen, mad
with rage and jealousy, endeavoring
to murder her royal daughters. She
was partly justified in her effects. AT
her time of life she was compelled to
turn out Of her kingdom and establish
another one, so that one other daugh-
ters might become queen in her stead
She felt the injustice ofthis acutely,
and repeatedly made vicious rushes at
the waxen walls behind which lay her
Offspring. But at the head of each
cell stood burly guard, who politely
but firmly repulsed her. Her body
attendants, with equal politeness and
frmness, hung on to her furs and
wings to keep her back Usually the
queens every wish was granted in
stantly, but now this could not be-
The destruction of its royal family
would have been the greatest calaml'
ty that could overtake the hive. At
length the exhausted sovereign, re-
cognizing the futility of her efforts,
retired gloomily into corner and
sulked.
1t was not noon and the acouts who
had been sent to choose the next
camping ground returned with their
reports. Our bee made her way to
the entrance to get few breaths OF
fresh air, for the hive was very hot,
the whole population being at home,
actively doing nothing. From the
gate she beheld the last act Of the
days drama. The excited buzziDg
had reached a very high key, and
could be heard at a considerable dis
tance. Some OF the more eager and
excitable temperaments were making
short preparatory flights, anxious for
the start. Suddenly dead silence
The emigrants stopped gorging, for
they were replete. There were no
farewells, for the bee forms no attach
ments. The swsrming party gather
ed swiftly, and without sound, inside
near the entrance, and waited. The
leaders emerged and stood for the last
time on the alighting board under the
old porch. With a sudden whirr oi
their wings they gave the loDgeKpect.
ed signal, and the hordes rushed forth
in joyous burst.
Last Of all, when the eager workers
had departed, came the old queen, at.
tended by her faithful bodyguard
She few out slowly and YEARLY, with
Il l.