Los Angeles Herald

ROBBED THE BEES.
How a Deputy Recorder Obtained Some Honey.

A colony of bees some time ago settled in the boxing of the porch of a residence in the southern part of the city. The presence of the buzzing insects caused the inhabitants of the domicile considerable annoyance, but it was thought best not to disturb them until they had accumulated a store of honey; so they were left unmolested until a few days ago, when it became evident the little honey-gatherers had about filled their quarters with the sweets of flowers.

But how to get at their nectar store; that was the question. There was none in the household so rash as to assail the stronghold of so well-armed an enemy.

Finally, Mr. L. R. Paxton, one of County Recorder Francis's able deputies, volunteered to accomplish the robbery for a share in the booty. Muffling up his head and placing a wire screen over his face, and buckskin gauntlets on his hands, at it he went. He thrust his arm boldly into the hole among the buzzing, seething mass of bees, and proceeded to tear out the combs of delicious honey. But instantly he felt a shock as if from an electric battery.

A thousand red-hot needles seemed to penetrate his hand. The buckskin gauntlets proved to be not bee-proof. Their poisoned spears were thrust again and again through the glove, but fortunately they could not sting deep into his hand. With a nerve that is begot of a determination to win, Mr. Paxton bore the pain and completed his task. The honey was secured and the bees exterminated. When his gloves were taken off twenty-three stingers were removed therefrom. How many more stings were received is not known but it was several days before his hand was reduced to its normal proportions.

This is believed to be the most consecutive case of bee stings without serious results on record.