Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-03-18
FRIGHTFUL SNAKE STORY.

The following iscident was related to us the o.
Their day, by one whose veracty is unquestioned,
and who was an eye witness OF the fact. IL is
more appalling than any we recollect TO have ever
read in the history Of these eptiles.-uississippi
Journal
Some time last summer, the inhabitants of Man
chester, Mississippi, gave barbecue, which was
attended by most Of the fashion and beauty Of the
town and surrounding country. 1t happened that
among the guests there was young lady, Miss NJ,
recently from Of the eastern cities, who was on
a visit TO her relations in the neghborhood of the
town. Miss III. was a gay and extremely fashion,
abe young lady, and withal possessed uncom-
mon share of spirit and courage, except in the
matter of snakes-and Of these she had so great a
dread that she scarcely dared to walk any where
except in the most frequented places, for fear Of
encountering them. Every effort used, but
without avail, to rid her of her childish fears
They haunted her continually until at last il be-
came the settled conviction of her mind, that she
was destined to fall a victim TO the fangs OF rat
tlesnake. The sequel will show how soon her ter
rible presentiment was fulfilled.
Towards the close Of tho day, while scores OF
fairy feet were keeping time in the dance to the
music, and the whole company were in the full
tide of enjoyment, scream was heard from Miss
NJ, followed by the most agonZng cries for help.
The crowd gathered around her instantly, and be-
held her standing, the perfect image of despair,
with her hands grasping portion of her dress with
the tenaety of vice. Ii was some time before
she could he rendered sufficiently calm TO tell the
cause of her alarm, and then they gathered from
her broken EXPLANATIONS that she was grdpiae the
head of a snake among The folds q her dress, and
dreaded 10 let 20 her hold for fear Of receiving the
fatal blow. This intelligence caused many TO
shrink from her. but the most Of the ladies, to their
honor be il told, remained with her, determined
not to leave her in her difeful extremity. They
besought her not TO relax her hold, as safety depen-
ded upon il, until some one could be found who
had the courage to seize and the terrible
animal. There were none Of the ladies, however,
who had the courage to perform the act, and the
condition Of Miss NJ. was becoming more aud moro
critical every moment. Ii was evident that her
strength was falling very fast, aud that she could
not maintain her hold many minutes longer.
A hasty consultation among the calmest Of the
ladies was held, when il determined that DIR.
Tisan, who was present. should be called TO their
assistance. He was quickly on the spot, and be-
ing a man Of uncommon courage, he was not ma
nv moments within the circle Of the weeping and
half ainiing females, until he had caught the tail
Of the snake, and wound il FIRMLY round his hand
TO make sure Of his hold. lie then told Miss NJ.
that she must let go at the moment he jerked ii
away, aad to make the act as Instantaneous as pos
sbe he told her that he would pronounce the words
one, two, three, and that al the moment he prn-
nouneed the last word, she must let 60 her hold,
and he doubted not that he could Withdraw the
snake before il could have time 70 strike. All
stood in breathless honor, awaiting the act Of life
or death, and at the moment the word three was
pronounced, the Doctor jerked oBt the largest and
mos dfabolicaI looking blstLe that was ever seen
in Mississippi. The whole affair once
plained. The fastening Of the machine had be-
euas loose during the dancing, and J, had shifted
its position in such way TIA; IL dsnslsd abogi
the LADY,. limbs, and induced the belief thai il
was snake with snorrloBs bead.
The Doctor fell right cosa ia bis iiasks, and
hintsd-he did.