Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-02-07
Irighifui Snake Story.

The following Incident was related to US the other |
dsy, by one whose veraciiy is unques'ionsd, and
who was almost an eve witness to the fact. 1t is
more appalling than any recollect to have ever
read in the history OF these terrible reptiles.
Sometime last summer the Inhabitants of Man
chester, Miss, gave barbecue, which was alien
ded bv the beauty and fashion of the town and the
surrounding country. 1t happeGed that among the
guests there was Young lady, Miss NJ recently
from one of the eastern cities who was on a visit to
het relations e the neighborhoodof the town. Miss
NJ was gay and exceedingly fashionable young
l.5y, and withal possessed OF an uncommon share of
spirit and courage, except in the matter OF snakes
and Of these she had great dread that she
scarcely dared walk any where except in the most
frequen,ed places, for fear of encountering them
Every effort used, but without avail to rid her Of
her fears. They haunted her continually, until al
last it became the settled conviction of her mind that
! she destined 10 fall victim to the iangs Of
raue snake. The sequal will soon show her terri
| ble presen,iment was fulfilled.
Towards the close OF the day, while scores of
| fairy feet were keeping time in the dance the
| merry music, and the whole company were in the
full ude OF enjoyment, scream was heard from
Miss VI To, followed by the most agnui2ng cries for
help. The crowd gathered around her ms family,
the perfec, image Of despair, with her hands grasp
ing portion Of her dress with the tenacity Of vice.
Ii was snme time before she could be rendered sui
cienily calm 10 tell the Of her alarm and then
they gathered from her oxen eyclamaiipns that she
holding the head of snake IN the fOlds Of her
dreSS and dreaded TO let 90 her hold for fear OF re-
ceiying the fatal blew. This intelligence caused
many 10 srnk from her, but most Of the ladies' 10
their honor be it spoken, remained with her, deter
mined not TO leave her in her direiul exuemity.-
, They besought her not to relax her hold, he
s1ie,y depended it, until some could be found
who had the courage TO seize and remove the animal
There were none of the ladies, however, who hac
courage to perform the .ct, and the condition o
u Miss NJ. was becoming more and more critical ev
. ey moment. 1t was evident that her strength wa
falling very fast, and that she could no, maintai
:, her hold much longer
n hasty consultation among the cslmesi Of tn
!, ladies' vas held, when it was determined that Dr.
!, Tisan, who was present, should be called TO thei
assistance. lie quickly on the spot, and bein
. man Of uncommon courage, he was not man
" minutes with the weeping and half fa.n,ing female.
" 1nlil he caught the tail Of the snake, and wound
Is firmly round his hand to make sure OF his hold II
% then told Miss NJ. that she must let 90 the momer
Dr. he jerked it away, and 20 make the act nsiana
: neoos as possible, he told her lie would pronounc
ne otei t"o NIce, anu lndt, Al thc nOmei
10 he pronounced the last word she must let 90 b,
n hold, and he DOUBTED no, he could withdraw III
Il snake before il could make the strike All stood
brea,hless horror. awaiting the FIFE and dealt
and .; the moment he word three was pronounce
- the Doctor pulled the diabolical lookir
a' BusTLt that ever was in Mis.s.ppi, II
whole affair was at once explained. The fas,enin,
IN ofthe machine had become lose during The dancin
~ and had shifted us position in such way tina,
in danged abou, the ady's legs, and Induced the bell
as ilAI II Was snake with enormous head.
a The Doctor fell right down in his tracks a
tainted