The Elbert County tribune., 1904-01-28
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T'N~NH~TNFssaN@
tent little honey makers
have invaded bank blocks. churches.
stores. private dwellings. schoolhouses
aud tamale stands to such an extent
that business and religion. education
and personal comfort have been sadly
interfered with.
Fullerton. an entcrprisinG agriculture
al community. has been the scene OF
their special activities, aud the inhnb-
itants of the charming town hnvc had
exciting times trying to keep the in
irusive pests out OF their homes and
places Of business. For ten years the
busy little workers have been packing
their stores of honey close under the
roof OF the Fullerton Bank. and every
effort that has been made TO rid the
building OF them has been Intellectual.
During their winged pilgrimaees they
frequently invaded the banking room,
where they set employees and custom
ers in such Il panic tnat there was
tearing of hair. groaning and undig
nined jumping about. \ few weeks ago
n man was found who gladly agreed to
rout the torments. with the under
Standing that his remuneration for the
job was TO be the honey that had been
accumulating among the rafters for
many years. With the assistance of
number OF meE all of whom were
screened with mosquito and wire net
ting he captured over two tons of the
finest orange honey. He sold the car
90 OF sweets for four cents n pound.
pockcted the good. hard cash. then
whistlcd dclnntly when censurcd be-
cause lie left the bees to work at the
same old stand.
In one Instance n swarm tried to take
possession of a living room In n pri-
Vatc house. The window had been left
open, and the unlimited guests flocked
In as mcrrlly as If they had received
Invitations to an "at home They
We're finally captured and persuaded to
transfer their festivities to II drygoods
box. one of the largest swarms of
bees in this vicinity recently tried TO
bolt their way into several business
houses but. being balkcd in their in
tentions by finding doors shut and
windows down. they made bee line
Tor less aristocratic quarters--a Mex
lean vendors tamnlc stand where
they attempted to establish n perma-
nent camp. much TO the CONSERVATION
Of the swntliy merchant.
For n number of years the little Epis-
copal church at san Gabriel. n town
which has become. famous because of
its historic mission. was infested by
bees. and their effect on religion and
the development OF Christianity WIS
demorallZlng in the extreme. In the
summer time 1t was necessary 10 keep
the windows open. and as there were
10 screens investigating bees would
temporarily suspend operations In their
storehouses among the raftcrs and
join the congregation. The following
amusing story is told in connection
with the church:
One time during an especially impress
slve service the minister was sending
up solemn prayer of Thanksgiving
He suddenly struck his eyebrow re-
sounding whack. while his voice and
his enthusiasm rose vigorously. thrill
ing the knecling dcvoiionals with the
wildly spoken words. "0h. lord
Gosh" A drowsy. half deaf old pa
;riarch in the front row responded
with loud Amen" while little bee.
suffering the agonies of death. writhed
on page OF the open Bible. Because
OF the bees many humorous incidents
occurred In this picturesque little meet
ing house. Many times troop of the
little torments. with all their artillery
set for action. Would swoop down on
the worshipers and transform piety
into unpious action. An enormous
amount OF honey was removed from
one of the gable attics of this church.
and after repeated attempts the bees
We're finally got rid OF.
California bees sometimes 20 TO
school. and then there is trouble for
teachers and pupils. As the bees are
unruly and unmanageable and ayerse
to educational discipline. the effect on
the pupils is demoralizing.
Bees that have become prejudlced
against life in the conventional aplary
attics. where they can fasten their
honeyed tapestry to the rafters or
crowd 1t between the weather boarding
and the plastering. Sometimes the
weight of honey on the rafters becomes
so great that It drops and crashes
through the ceilings. The favorite
swarming time of bees is in the latter
part Of spring, when all the honey pro-
ducing plants are in bloom and condi-
tlons are most favorable for the estab-
lishment of new quarters. The meth
ods employed by the bees for selecting
a new home are methodical and clever
in the extreme. A detachment is sent
out to make Investigations. They re-
turn to the hive and report. Then all
is bustling preparation. for each bee
that Joins in the winged caravan must
gorge himself with honey. so he VIII
have enough to last him until he is
comfortably settled I'm the new home
and rnnd, tn e,o tn 1ynrl, In enrnest