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


the hive and shivered. They were
late III starting this morning IN the
hive, and she was the first out. She
gave herself couple Of shakes, flap
ped her wings and took few deep
breaths through her spiracles to thor
oughly waken her. She had a strong
disinclination to commence, for the
bee finds no joy in being "busy.
Still, after a few more preliminary
shakes, she sailed out, numming cheer
fully. A large apple tree, bearing
three flowers, first attracted her at
tention, and she decided that her
load this time should be apple pollen
and nectar.
The pollen was plentiful, and she
soon filled the basket on her legs.
The hive was fully awake now and
the sun up. 1t promised to be
bright, warm day. "All right for
swarming to-day" thought the bee to
herself, as she zealously sucked up
the sweet nectar. When she was
completely loaded she started home.
There were very few workers from hel
hive. She had seen none since she
started, and the way home was lonely.
She flew along slowly, low down near
the ground, for she was heavily bur-
dened. Suddenly, just as she was
passing the kitchen garden fence, she
was stopped by FIVE cadaverous BEES
who sprang from a neighboring car
rot plantation.
"Now, then Hand over !" said in a
peremptory manner the leanest and
darkest of the gang, who appeared to
be the leader.
Conversation was carried on by
means of the antennae. The bee IN
stantly recognized her aggressors as
members of hive which had by an
unfortunate accident lost its queen
1t had also been ravaged by an at
tack of moths, whose larvae had over
run the whole place and ruined al
the combs. All its inhabitants who
remained alive had become utterly
demoralized and seemed to have lost
the spirit for collecting honey This
party evidently subsisted by highway
robbery.
Our bee was heavy with good living
and her mornings collection, while
the others were made nimble and des-
perate by hunger, so fight was i'm
possible. Besides, she was henmed
in. She hesitated. The brigands
assumed a more threatening attitude,
and pressed closer round her. Emit
ting plaintive moan from her splr-
acles, she began to scrape the pollen
off her legs and fur. The spoil was
instantly devoured. No spirit Of
lofty altruism animated the bees now.
They did not think of taking this
home and adding it to the common
stock. when do you intend to
swarm?" asked our bee in sarcasm.
To send off a number Of swarms is a
hives highest ambition. II shouldn't
think there are many of you left now,
she continued 1--WE swarm to-day.
Stung by the sarcasm, the others
gnashed their mandibles, and pro-
truded their own stings threatening
ly.
ooh, In not afraid" said the plum
dered worker.
This was true, and the bullies knew
it. She who stings dies, for the sting,
with portion of the viscera, is left
in the wound.
"By the way" she continued, as
she prepared to move off, "a member
of your hive tried to smuggle herself
into our store-house to steal some honey
yesterday. We can always tell your
citizens. They have such a mean,
sneaking look. Our sentinels spotted
the thief instantly, I believe you
will find her head and couple Of her
legs in the corner there. Ta-ta."
She did not return to get another
load. She felt too disheartened, and
besides, che was not in the mood for
work that day. Indeed, the majority
of the workers were staying about the
hive doing nothing. They were in a
high state of excitement about the
coming swarm. They stood in groups
or walked aimlessly about TO Kill
time, just like schOOl-boys before
breaking up for the holidays. Occa-
sionally one would come out and glance
anxiously up at the sky to ascertain
the state of the weather. Our bee
did not intend to leave with the
swarming party, but nevertheless she
participated in the general excitement