Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1841-08-05
From Bentley's Miscellany.
A FIFTH AT WHIST,

who is always lucky, won FIVE consecutive
bumpers, which left self-satisfied smile on
his cOuntenance, and made us the losers look
any thing but pleased, when he suddenly
changed countenance and hesitated to piav
this the more surprised US, since he was one
who seldom pondered, being so completely
master of the game, that he deemed long
considerations superauous.
Play away, Maxey what are YOU about?
impatiently demanded Churchill, one of the
most impetuous youths that ever wore the
uniform of the body guard.
Hush r responded Maxey, in tone which
thrilled throug h us, at the same time turning
deadly pale.
up, for he believed our friend had suddenly
been taken ill.,
S'For the love of peace sit quiet,,' reioined
the other, in tone denotfng extreme fear or
pain, and laid down his cards. . If you val
ue my life move not 81
what can he mean? has he taken leave
ofhis senses!' demanded Chdiehill, appeal
ing to myself.
Don't start-don't move, I tell You! In a
sort of whisper can never forget, uttered
Maxey. 'Ifyou make any sudden motion l
am dead man.
We exchanged looks. He continued,
'Remain quiet and all may yet be we'll.
have Cobra Capella round my leg
Our first impulse was to draw back our
chairs; but an appealing look from the vic
tim induced US to remain, although we were
aware, that should the reptile but transfer
one fold, and attach himself to any other of
the party, that individual might already be
counted as dead man, so fatal is the bite
of that dreadful monster.
Poor MaXey was dressed as many resi-
dents still dress in India-namely, in breech-
es and silk stockings; he therefore the more
plainly felt every movement of the snake
Ills countenance assumed livid hue; the
words appeared to leave his mouth without
the feature altering its position, SO rigid was
his look, so fearful was he that the slightest
muscular movement should alarm the SER
pent and hasten his fatal bite.
We were in agony little less than his own
during the scene.
He is coilng round,' murmured Maxey !;
i feel him cold-cold to my limb-and now
he tightens-for the love of heaven call for
some milk-I dare not speak loud; let it be
placed on the ground near me let some be
split on the floor.
Churchill cautiously gave the order, and a
servant slipped out of the room.
Don't stir-Northcote, you moved your
head. By everything sacred, conjure you
do not do so again! 1t cannot be long ere
my fate is decided. I have a wife and two
children in Europe; tell them died blessing
them-that' my Fast prayers were for them;
the snake is winding itself round my caif-I
leave them all possess. can almost fancy
feel his breath; Great Heaven! to die in
such Il manner!
The milk WAS brought and carefully put
AnVun n fovx env;nEloI hn
floor, and the affrighted servants drew back.
Again Maxey spoke
Mono it has no effect! on the contra
ry he has clasped himself tighter-he has
uncurled his upper fold! l dare not look
down, but / um sure he is about to draw
back, and give the bite of death with more
fatal precision. Again he pauses. die
firm; but this is past endurance-ah no
he has undone another fold and loosens him
self Can he be going to some one else -
We involunarily started. For the love of
Heaven. stir not I am dead man, but
bear with me. He still loosens-he is about
10 dart! Move not, but beware! Churchill,
he falls off that way. Oh this agony is too
hard to bear! Another pressure and am
dead. No he relaxes!' At the moment
poor Maxcy venturcd to look down, the
snake had unwound himself; the last coil
had ALLEN and the reptile was making for the
milk.
Il am saved !-saved ! and Maxey bound
ed from his chair, and fell senseless into the
arms of one of his servants the snake was
killed aud our poor friend carried more dead
than alive to his room.
That scene can never forget it dwells
on my memory still. strengthened by the
fate of poor Maxey, who from that hour pin
ed in hopeless imbecility, and sunk into an
early grave.
We presume II is not generally known
that there is such law on our Statute Book
as the following. So far as it relates to the
record of Births and Deaths, it has become
almost dead letter-H0rt. Pat. d. Eagle.
"The Town Clerk or Register in every
town shall record all Marriages, Births and
Deaths, OF all persons in such town and the
parents and masters shall transmit TO the
clerk OF the town where they belong, the
names of persons that are born or die in
their respective families, and the time of
their birth and death and executors and
administrators shall transmit to the Town
Clerk the names of the persons they repre-
sent, within one month after such birth or
death, on penalty Of one dollar for every
month after the first month for which it is
neglected, to the Treasury Of the town and
the Town Clerk of every town shall give an
account of all such ntglects that come 10 his
knowledge, to some Grand Juror in the town,
who shall make preseniment thereof to any
Justice of the Peace in the County,"
A Desolating Scourge. N. York Me-
dical Gazette gives the following incidental
notice of the epidemic which first gave rise
to the internal use Of Mercury for Medical