The daily Alaskan., 1906-07-05

You've seen beehive, of cOurseF'
 "I wasn't born blind"
 You know that a swarm of bees swarms every year?"
 "Of course"
 But why do they swarm?"
 Why does a bull go around pawia 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-thats the idea-that's jus what I wanted you to say" exclaimed Pa Perkins as he rolled off the door steps in his excitement.
 Well, I've said 1t, and now what Gf itT'
 "A swarm of bees swarms because the swarm gets so large that there ain't room for all In the hive. If there was room there'd be no swarmin'. Can't you understand that?"
 Yes, you may be right"
 For two weeks before the swarmin' takes place they are all upsot and lOutiu' around. The same Is the case for two weeks aiterward. There's q workiu' month lost S'pOse that could be saved? Wouldn't they produce a heap more money2 Wouldn't the own CT of the hives be saved a heap Of bother and trouble"
 "It looks that way, pa, but
 Now don't go to throwiu' any cold water until you hear it all. S'pOsin' had a four story beehive. That would give two swarmS twice the room they have now. Havin twice the room, they wouldn't swarm only once in two gears instead of every year. no you see the p'int?"
 "I seem to. but femme see how that pie is comin' on. Now go ahead agin. Why not make an eight story hive, and then they wouldn't swarm but once in four yearsT
 Tt would have to be as big as house for that" answered the man with an idea. I'll start with four story and see how that works.
 What. Are you gOin' into beeST'
 q an, Hammer. I'll set to work this very day on a four story hive and be. fore sundown tomorrer I'll have TWO swarms of bees into It. By thunder, but I've hit it."
 "NOw par'
 .'I aln't swearin': I'm jest leetle eX- cited. How on earth Christopher Co- lumbus, George Washington and Napo- leon Bonaparte passed over the idea can't understand. It's the biggest thing mortal man ever thunk out, aud I'll see about hayln' 1t patented next week. Meanwhile don't you lisp word. on your life. don't mention 1t to single person. If they ask what the four sto- " beehive is, tell 'em it's henhouse.
 The wife promised. and the husband went to the barn and began his Work at once. It was two days before he hau the hive in place. Each swarm had two full floors to itself, and when they got too large the first could move up into the second and the third Into the fourth. Each swarm had its own front and back doors, and if they didn't get Along in a neighborly way 1t was not the builders fault A farmer six miles away had swarms to sell, and when the big hive was ready Mir. Perkins got a horse and wagon and went after inmates. The farmer wanted to talk about bees. their habits, their little lSl- oms. and to give his customer some Dointers, but MT. Perkins was on his guard. Not a word did he say to give his secret away. He brought the bees home at night and arranged the hives so that they must leave them ID the morning for the larger affair, and when he went to bed he rubbed hls hands and said to his wife:
 Hammer. 1 can't comprehend how l ever got that idea, but it's goin' to bring us-in bar'ls and barls of money. When you are rollin' in diamonds you'll know who to be thankful to-"
 The sun came up hot and red next morning, and as soon as it burned up the mist the bees were heard from, Each swarm was willing to occupy the new hive, but each wanted 1t all for itself. It didn't take long to start a scrap and three minutes after 1t start ed it took in all the insects. After a beautiful old TOW they suddenly made up their minds that "the man higher up" was responsible for the whole thing and they went after him. In cidentally they jabbed Aunt Hammer about a dozen times. Incidentally also they went for the neighbors on either side and then continued on into tOWr and the number of victims finally tai lied up about 15O. There was mourn ing and lamentation galore and wher the mob finally reached the Perkins house to wreak it's vengeance they found the hens trying to take posses sion of the big hive and Pa Perkins so swathed in bandages that they coult not even see an eyelash as he feebIl explained:
 'aThem bees ought to have gone II there and behaved themselves, but the! wouldn't do 1t and here Pve lost a! good as three days and them squashe won't amount to shucks."