The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1837-08-04
.5ETSCELL.a0E0TS.
4 SUPERINTENDENT INFANT
rnr,noz, az. u MAY %. 1887.

as have come " ny N"o"NHsS 'N'"''N "
the serpent toagued igfdat of which we
had casually heard just previous to my de-
osrture for Block Island. Quite unexpeet.
edly, day before Yesterday, found myself
in the very neighborhood of this strange
and Maynard production Of nature. My
curiosity, as you may well suppose, was
greatly excited, and confess felt an intense
anxiety to examine for myself an object
which began TO excite SO much interest IA The
nele hborhood sfits occurrence. Mr.. i,
a worthy old gentleman IN the v'cln'iy, a
former acquaintance of mine, with whom
accidentally met, kindly offered TO accom-
psny me to Mr.. WIS the father oil the un'
fortunate child. We reached there about
0 o'clock this morning. aud we're received
very courteousIy by MIR. W---and his
interesting young wife. After an agreea'
bic introduction, NY aged friend stated the
object of our visit, aud the desire | had
manifested To see their unfortunate little
child Of whom had inst heard. Mr.
W---informe US that for several weeks
he had, in almost every instance, declined
admitting strangers, as no thought their
presence had an uniavorable effect upon
the child, bu, as had come considerable
distance out Of my way. be was disposed 10
CRAFTY my wish, the more especlally as he
though, | might give some advice IN rssa'
ton to the course he ought, 10 future TO pur.
snr. We we're then invited into an aslnin.
inr room, IN ons corner Of which We be-
held, tied in small los char most hor.
ribly smsciaied little child, apparently about
2 years old. am aware that shall total.
" fail in giving you any thing like an AIDE.
uua,c idea Of the miserable object before US
Imagine, II you can. an infant, or mere chld,
Of about the aye above supposed, reduced TO
VERY sk.lefsa, hairless, and covered With
marched aud shriyelIed skin. dark and ane'
lasiic as the corresponding structure m the
withored oc,ogenar,an. It's little red, hsry
ewes, rolling restlessly IN tbs deep recesses
of it's feshlrss sockets. sent forth horrd
flashes OF Indignation, when the door to It's
apartment was thrown open.
The litIa sufferer opened his mouth, and
in the place Of It's tongue and for tongue,
arpeai's head and neck we're thrust out,
vibrating and Kissing aIIh an intensity pc.
euliar 10 the ysnoinous varieties OF that re-
nulsiys species Of animated nature
could rot, for several minuiss, muster sufil.
eienl courage TO approach tbs object OF my
curiosity. was fixed to The spot which !
at fret occupied, whils the serpent headed
toorus continued to Dart forth aud rocede
with the qu,cknes. Of thought, It's iiitis fork.
ed and iiery tongue al the sans TINS
PLAYING about the lips aud nostrIls Of the
shild, equrIng 10 velocity the hgh'nings
CASH ilr. W, the father, gradually
approached the child. all the time speaking
very spoihingly TO 1t. and 10 few minutes
succeeded 10 producing qo,ei--lba head re-
seeded, tina bps closed over Il, and tbs infant
exhibited The aspect only ol extreme cma.
cation. But the moment moved towards
the child, even 5ul single step, tho mouth
would open, the head suddenly dlrt forth
and III. same dreadful spectacle have al
ready lmperGsclly described, would be again
presented. The father, however, beckonec
ne to approach, which | did, but never
shall forget the tremendous hisHag which
came from the serpent headed tongue OF tbs
lti.e sutieret. Il ~as several minutes be
fore cuietude could be produced, and ever
thea the slightest molten on MY part woule
cause an instantaneous proifusIou OF the 10
slightly orgau, accompanied by htssn.
.mui more or less misuse according 10 th'
fears u the child,
had .svefa fair opportunities Of seem.
the strange laember, and sil endesgor e
give yeu description Of IT. Its color IS I
dark copper, SHINING and IN places Inchunl
10 streaks Of sreen. Its eyes are a Je, black
aud when tho light strikes them fasorably
no diamonds ever send forth more brIlllan
sciatilations Of light. A bright yellos
ring eacircles The neck, and really has muct
the appearance Of gold. The mouth Of TIM
serpent. headed tongue, is quite large, ans
was always slightly open when tho heat
was protruied beyond the lips. Its lttl'
forked tongue, as have already said, we
necessarily in motion. We stayed IN %,
room lust thirty minutes, during the latte
part ef which time the child became yer,
quiet, and took freely Of milk its usual food
The father told me he had know the iongu
10 bite several times, and when II tas,enc
upon enc Of his fingers, much swelling an
soreness followed, indeed he was only re
lleyed Nv copious bleeding. He niorme
ne also, that tho child eat yoraciously Q
milk, and sometimes other kinds Of food
bu, tina, it preferred the former. The chill
IL of thu female sex. He stated further tina
several smlnent physicians and surgeon