1897 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



491 



the west end. We will see what becomes of 

 him." 



It was well into the evening before the con- 

 ference ended; and that which started out with 

 a prospect for a duel ended in a general peace- 

 ful hand-shake, and our party of homeless val- 

 ley e.Klles were cared for in the combined gro- 

 cery store, hotel, and saloon. 



Late in the evening parties came in from 

 Ukiah, and brought news of a startling nature 

 about the earthquake. The State Capitol 

 building at Sacramento had been demolished, 

 and at Napa and Winters there had beeu a 

 general wreckage of buildings and loss of life. 



his early life and schooldays with Clarence 

 Bull; " and now," said he, " it seems strange to 

 know of him as Buell." 



"But, doctor," said Alfaretta, "do you not 

 think Buell much the prettier name? and only 

 one little letter makes tjie change." 



"Oh, yes!" replied the doctor; " it does sound 

 pretty, but not so strong. Bull has an aggres- 

 sive sound; and when you change it to Buell 

 you sort o' knock the horns off, and make a 

 muley of it; but, I beg your pardon for my 

 blunt speech," said the doctor, as he observed 

 a trace of a pout on the fair lips. " I will try 

 to conform to the new order of names. It is 





" A VERITABLE CONCERT WAS ENJOYED." 



" Of course," said the doctor, " these are but 

 rumors, and the damage can scarcely be ex- 

 pected to be as extensive as reported." 



The next morning the party proceeded lei- 

 surely on their journey, and followed the old 

 trail over the mountains toward the Sacramen- 

 to River. 



It was a constant cause of wonder to Alfa- 

 retta as to how she could have traversed those 

 regions alone and in the night. 



" Why," said she, " I should be afraid to 

 travel this road alone in the daytime; but pony 

 Jack, you say, was my guide and guardian. 

 Dear Jack!" said she, patting the pony on the 

 neck. 



During the forenoon, as they rode along, the 

 doctor conversed with Alfaretta much about 



very handy to address you as M'ss Buell; but 

 should I see my old friend I fear I should say 

 Bull to him unawares." 



" Well, doctor," said Alfaretta, with a smile, 

 "my papa is good-natured, and you shall have 

 that privilege. I anticipate the great pleasure 

 it will afford him to meet you." 



After the noonday lunch the doctor relapsed 

 into silence, and rode some distance in the rear. 

 Fred never enjoyed himself better than during 

 that afternoon ride. Their pace was not rapid, 

 for the ponies packed with the camp material 

 could travel no faster than a walk. The home- 

 ward journey was a happy one for Alfaretta, 

 and as much so for Fred, for he felt as though 

 he had been in some degree instrumental in 

 restoring his fair companion to health again. 



