The daily Alaskan., 1906-03-08
A Four-story Story

"N-no. I've got an idea!'
 "Shoo! Now. Pa Perkins, don't you D to rOolin' with them squashes and tryin' to make citrons or pumpkins out of them. When people want squashes they don't want anything else"
 "Squashes be hanged" he indignant ly shouted. T tell you I've got an idea that will make us rich as John Jacob Astor within two yearsl It's goin' to upset the hull world!"
 La me! Sit down on the steps and tell me about 1t while finish this pie and get 1t into the oven. If you've got an idea it's something new, and hope 1t won't strike in and make you sick. Now, then, what Is itY'
 You've seen a beehive, of courseY .
 T 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 pawin' the earth and bellerin'2 He does 1t be- cause it's his nature It's the nature of bees to swarm every spring, and what are you goln' to do about it?'
 That's it-thats the idea-thats just what I wanted you to say" exclaimed Pa Perkins as he rolled of the door steps in his excitement.
 "Wen, I've said 1t. and now what Sf it?'
 A swarm of bees swarms because the swarm gets so large that there aint room for all in the hive. If there was room there'd be no swarmin'. Cant you understand thatT
 Yes, you may be right"
 For two weeks before the swarmin' takes place they are all upSot and loafin' around. The same Is the case for two weeks afterward. There's a workin' month lost. S'pOse that could be saved? Wouldn't they produce heap more money? Wouldn't the own, CT of the hives be saved a heap of bother and troubleT
 "It looks that way, pa, but
 Now don't go to throwin' any cold water until you hear 1t all. S'pOsin' l 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 years instead of every year. Do you see the p'intT'
 .I seem to, but femme see how that pie is comin' on. Now go ahead ag'in' Why not make an eight story hive, and then they wouldn't swarm but once in four yearSY
 Tt would have to be as big as house for that" answered the man with an idea. "Tll start with four story and see how that works
 What. Are you goin' into beesf
 "I am. 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 1t. By thunder but I've hit it."
 "Now, pa"
 "I aln't swearin'; I'm jest leetle ex- cited. How on earth Christopher Co., Iumbus, George Washington and Napo- leon Ronaparte passed over the idea l can't understand. It's the biggest thing mortal man ever thunk out, and I'll see about havin' 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 had 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 it 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 hor5e and wagon and went after inmates. The farmer wanted to talk about bees, their habits, their little idi- oms. and to give bis customer some pointers, but MT. Perkins was on his 0uard. 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 in the morning for the larger affair, and when he went to bed he rubbed his hands and said to his wife:
 Hammer, 1 can't comprehend how ever got that idea, but it's goin' to bring us in bar'ls and bar'ls 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 1t 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 q scrap and three minutes after 1t start cd 1t took in all the insects. After a beautiful old row they suddenly made up their minds that ''the man higher up" was responsible for the whole thing and they went after him. h. cidentally they jabbed Aunt Hammer about a dozen times. Incidentally also ! they went for the neighbors on either side and then continued on into town and the number of victims finally tai