The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1913-01-17
Ed Monow's Hornets Nest.

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The following story was related to
the writer several years ago. but for
fear some sore spots, either mental or
physical, might still be in the possess
ion of the principal actor. and prevent
him from relishing its telling, we have
refrained from mentioning it before
now. Some years ago, as was their
annual custom. Messrs John M. Farra,
James A. Beasley, Robert l.. Elkin
and Ed. Morrow went to Rockcastle
Springs for fishing trip. 1t was early
in October and as a few of the city
guests still lurked about the place, the
sportsmen were comfortably CHARTERED
in The Annex, which was detached
from the main building. A hanger on
about the place named Nels. Pointer,
who was just little weak minded, i'm
mediately formed a strong attachment
for Mr.. Morrow, accounted for per-
haps by the fact that MIR. Morrow was
the custodian of the medicine chest,
which contained some splendid snake
medicine. which as that country il in
Tested with rattlers and other venem-
Gus reptiles, is an absolute necessity,
no well regulated hunting party would
ever dream of being without. Under
guise of various and sundry excuses,
such as ''he loud me mou't be gwineter
get snake Bit. Nels. made frequent
requests for a small store of the pre-.
tentative. One fsvorite excuse of
Nels' was that he was gwine ter go
get Uncle Ed, as he persisted IN
calling Mr.. Morrow, a wild turkey, but
this excuse finally wore out as Mr..
Morrow reached the conclusion that if
the turkey was as big as one of the
massive river cliffs, Nels could not hit
it with a rifle.
Hornets in that country are as thick
as flies; their nests are wonderful con-
trivances. and when deserted by them,
which they frequently do in cold wealth
er, they are secured for curiosities by
the tourists. Mr.. Morrow conceived a
desire for one of these nests, which de-
sire he impaired to Nels. A few days
later Nels made his appearance and
said Uncle Ed | fetched you that
harnets nest, alright Nels," Mr..
Morrow replied, Just hang it in my
room. The evenings being cool Mr..
Morrow was accustomed to have a fire
in his room, and along toward nightfsll
he told Nels to light the fire. About 8
o'clock he went to his room and retired
without lighting the lamp. and was
soon soundly sleeping, dreaming of the
big un" he intended catching on the
morrow. One of his great toes had es-
capped from under the cover and in the
course of his dream wiggled not unlike
a fishing cork. Now hornets nest is
built around twig, which when bent
in certain manner prevents the es-
cape of the occupants of the nest; this
twig Nels had bent, but the kindly
warmth of the room had had the effect
of opening up the nest, and one Of the
occupants coming out to survey his
new location, espied the weighing toe
and immediately went for it, when he
struck it Mr.. Morrow let out a yell like
a Comanche Indian, which attracted
the attention of the other hornets who
swarmed out to Join their comrade; Mr..
Morrow made for the door yelling
bloody murder. and lit out down the
wide porches of the hote. building.
yelling at every jump, with the hor-
nets in hot pursuit; every once and a
while one would land on his anatomy. |
which would serve to accelerate his
already whirlwing flight. A dance was
in progress in the ball room, and the
dancers were startled by the flying APP
partition, giving out demoniac yells.
and with a funnel shaped drove of
bald hornets in hot pursuit; on down
past the stables fled the frightened
sportsman, nor was his career checked
until In his mad desire TO rid himself Of
his pursuers he landed in a hole of
water twenty feet deep at the foot Of
dead mans rock. from whence he
was rescued by couple OF hostlers
who had witnessed his mad fight. His
first words were where's Nels". but
Nels was not TO be found. nor did he
show himself for several days, not
until he was satisfied Mr.. Morrow's
wrath had somewhat subsidized; his ex.
use was that The did not think (
lncle Ed wanted IAN oil" harnets nest
without any harnets in it,, II goes I
Without saying that the friendship be. {
ween Nels and Mr.. Morrow was brok. 8
n off there and then. There hes al. 4
rays been strong suspicion In the s
lind of q good many who witnessed {