Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-11-15
A Four-story Story

go to foolin' with them sQuashes an
tryin' to make citrons or pumpkins on
Of them. When people want squashe
they don't want anything else"
"Squashes be hangedp he indignant
ly shouted II tell you I've got an ide,
that will make us rich as John Jacol
Astor within two yearsl It's goin' I,
upset the hull world~
LA mel Sit down on the steps anC
tell me about it while finish this pi'
and get 1t into the oven. If you've go
an idea It's something new, and l hope
1t won't strike in and make you sick
Now, then, what is itY'
you've seen beehive, of coursep
II wasn't born blind"
"You know that a swarm Of bees
swarms every Year,
"Of course"
"But why do they swarm?"
"Why does bull go around PAWN
the earth and bellerin'? He does 1t be-
cause it's his nature. It's the nature of
bees to swarm every spring, and what
are you goin' to do about IT."
"That's it-that's the idea-that's just
what 1 wanted you to say" exclaimed
Pa Perkins as he rolled of the door
steps In his excitement.
well, I've said 1t. and now what
Of it?"
"a swarm of bees swarms because
the swarm gets SO large that there
amt room for all In the hive. If there
was room there'd be no swarmin'
Can't you understand that?"
Eyes, you may be right"
For two weeks before the swarmin'
takes place they are all upset and
loafn' around. The same is the case
for two weeks afterward. There's
workin' month lost S'pose that could
be saved2 Wouldn't they produce q
heap more money? Wouldn't the own
er of the hives be saved heap Of
bother and trouble?"
at looks that way, pa, butt
Nov don't go to THROWN any cold
water until you hear 1t all. S'posin' ]
had four story beehive. That would
give two swarms twice the room they
have now. Havln' twice the room,
they wouldn't swarm only once In two
years instead of every year. Do you
see the p'intT'
81 seem to, but femme see how that
pie is comm on. Now go ahead ag'in.
Why not make an eight story hive, and
then they wouldn't swarm but once IN
four years."
1T would have to be as big as a
house for that" answered the man
with an idea. "Tll start with -four
story and see how that works"
'What! Are you goin' into beesT
II am, Hammer. I'll set to work this
very day ON four story hive and be
fore shutdown tomorrer I'll have two
swarms of bees into 1t. BY thunder,
put I've hit it"
"Now, pa"
IL amt swearin'; I'm jest leetle ex-
,ited. How on earth Christopher Co
umbus. George Washington and NapO-
con Bonaparte passed over the idea
amt understand. It's the biggest thing
Mortal man ever thunk out, and I'll
zee about havin' 1t patented next week.
Meanwhile don't you lisp q word. On
'our life, don't mention it to single
,erson. If they ask what the four sto-
y beehive is, tell 'em it's henhouse."
The wife promised, and the husband
vent to the barn and began his work
t once. 1t was two days before he had
he hive in place. Each swarm had
wo full floors to itself, and when they
ot too large the first could move up
lto the second and the third into the
ourth. Each swarm had It's own front
nd back doors, and If they didn't get
long in a neighborly way it was not
ne builders fault A farmer six miles
way had swarms to sell, and when
ne big hive was ready Mr.. Perkins
OF horse and wagon and went after
lmates. The farmer wanted to talk
bout bees, their habits, their little idi-
ms, and to give his customer some
ointers, but Mr.. Perkins was on his
uard Not a word did be say to
I've his secret away. He brought the
ees home at night and arranged the
Ives so that they must leave them In
lie morning for the larger affair, and ,
hen he went to bed he rubbed his !
ands and said to his wife:
Hammer, | can't comprehend how l
yer got that Idea, but It's goin' to ,
ing us In bar'ls and bar'ls Of money. .
hen you are rollin' in diamonds you'll ,
now who to be thankful to-"
The sun came up hot and red next ,
orning, and as soon as it burned up :
e mist the bees were heard from. :
ach swarm was willing to occupy the
w hive, but each wanted 1t all fN .
,elf. 1t didn't take long to start .
rap and three minutes after it start :
it took in all the insects. After :
autlful old row they suddenly made
} their minds that 1.-The man higher
}" was responsible for the whole
ing and they went after him. In,
lentally they jabbed Aunt Hammer
out dozen times. Incidentally alsol
ey went for the neighbors on either
lie and then continued on into town.
d the number Of victims finally tall
d up about $50. There was mourn-I
3 and lamentation galore and wheDl
2 mob finally reached the Perkins
use to wreak its vengeance theyi
und the hens trying to take posses
N Of the big hive and Ia Perkins,
swatbed In bandages that they could
t even see an eyelash as he feebly
planned:
Them bees ought to have gone In
IRE and behaved themselves. but they N
,uldnt do 1t and here I've lost as
Cd as three days and them squashesl Il
mt amount 10 shucks." b
NJ. QUAD m