Hidden Treasure: The Story of a Chore Boy Who Made the Old Farm PaySimpson, John Thomas
Science
Hidden Treasure: The Story of a Chore Boy Who Made the Old Farm Pay
Simpson, John Thomas
Farm life
"We've plenty of work, Mr. White. I could use a dozen boys right now,"
replied Bob. "We ought to have the timbers for the roof brought out,
Uncle Joe. Couldn't you take the big tractor and the wagon and bring
out a load this afternoon, while you are waiting for the corn planter
to come?"
"It wouldn't pay to run the tractor for just one wagon, Bob," said his
uncle, "when it can haul two wagons at once."
"There's something we forgot," said the banker; "you should have a
good substantial truck around this place, one that will haul a real
load, and I know where you can get a good one at about half price.
Henry Smith, the man from whom you bought the auto, Joe, took it in
trade for a motor truck recently. Call him up on the 'phone and tell
him you want it--tell him you would like to have him put in a short
tongue for a motor hitch. The truck has been used for hauling lumber
and is just right for your work." As they were speaking, they saw
Edith rushing across the barnyard waving her hat and shouting. She was
more excited than Bob had ever seen her and had evidently been running
for quite a distance, for she was so out of breath she could scarcely
make herself understood. As she neared them, she exclaimed:
"The bees, Bob--they're swarming!"
"There, Bob, now you've a real job on your hands," laughed the banker.
"If I weren't so afraid of them myself, I'd like to see you put them
into the hive."
"Well, I've never done it before, Mr. White," he replied, "but I think
I can manage it."
"Perhaps you better take Tony along to help you," suggested his uncle.
"No, I'll take care of them myself, Uncle Joe," he replied, and
started for the house to get his veil and smoker.
When he arrived at the apiary, much to his surprise, not one but three
of the colonies had swarmed. One had left the hive and alighted on an
apple tree nearby, the second was just getting ready to leave, and the
third was hanging outside in a way that showed they would soon be on
the wing.
Bob was so intent on his work that he was not aware that anyone was
near him, until he heard a voice say:
"Won't you let me help you, Bob; I'm not afraid of being stung."
He looked up quickly, and there was Edith--her head concealed in a
quickly constructed veil. She was wearing a white cotton blouse and
she also had on a pair of kid gloves with the fingers cut off.
"Aren't you afraid you'll get stung, Edith," said Bob.
"I'm like yourself, Bob; I've never handled bees before, but I think
they're the most interesting thing we have on the farm. I've been
reading many books about them recently. Won't you let me help you?"
"Yes, if you're not afraid, I'd be glad to have you," he replied, "for
there's going to be two more swarms soon."
They brushed off the swarm into a small box and carried it over to a
new hive. As soon as the queen had entered, they left it there and
went back to watch the second one.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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