THE BLACK BILL-BUG OF CORN 



JOHN DRAKE had complained several times that 

 something was injuring his corn, but was unable to 

 find out what was causing it. One evening he came 

 home with his face looking 

 somewhat like a thunder 

 cloud, and it did not re- 

 quire a second look for any 

 one to conclude that he 

 was in a very bad humor. 

 His right hand was closed 

 as if he were carrying some- 

 thing, and the children 

 were wondering what he 



found that displeased him so. He walked to the 

 dining room and laid two black beetles on the table. 



" I have caught them in the act," he said. " These 

 rascals are the cause of my corn's dying. I found 

 them in an old stalk, and you ought to see what 

 they did to the inside of the stalk. They just 

 about made sawdust out of it," and striking the 

 table with his fist he looked at Mrs. Drake and the 

 children about him. 



23 



FIG. 11. "And laid two black 

 beetles on the table." 



