Washington sentinel., 1853-11-12
Frightfal.

The following incident was related to us the
other day, by one whose yeracity is unques-
toned, and who was almost an eye witness OF
the fact. 1t is more appalling than any we re.
collect to have ever read in the history OF these
terrible reptiles:
Sometime last summer, the inhabitants OF
Manchester, Mississippi, gave a barbecue,
which was attended by most Of the fashion and
beauty of the town and surrounding country.
II happened that among the guests there was
a young lady, Miss NJ recently from one of the
eastern cities, who was on a visit to her rela-
tions in the neighboring town. Miss NJ. was
gay and extremely fashionable young lady, and
withal possessed an uncommon share OF spirit
and courage, except in the matter of snakes,
and of these she had so great dread that she
scarcely dared to walk any where exceptin the
most frequented places, for fear of encounter
ing them. Every effort was used, but without
avail, to rid her of her childish fears. They
haunted her continually, until at last it became
| the settled conviction of her mind that she was
destined to fall victim to the fangs of rattle
snake. The sequel will show soon her terrible
presentiment was fulfilled.
Towards the close of the day. while scores
Of fairy feet were keeping time in the dance to
the merry music, and the whole company were
in the full tide Of enjoyment, scream was
HeuTu ITOHl MISS W., IOlIOWcu NY tilc uiOSb dSO-
nizing cries for help. The crowd gathered
around her instantly, and beheld her standing,
the perfect image Of despair, with her hands
grasping portion Of her dress with the tena.
city Of vice. 1t was some time before she
could be rendered sufficiently calm to tell the
cause of her alarm, and then they gathered
from her broken exclamations that she was
grasping the head Of q snake among the folds
Of her dress, and dreaded to let 60 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 it told, remained with her, determined not to
leave her in her direful extremity. They be-
sought her not to relax her hold, as her safety
depended upon it, until some one could be
| found who had the courage to seize and remove
the terrible animal. There were none Of the
| ladies', however, who had the courage to per.
form the act, and the condition of Miss M. was
| becoming more and more critical every mo-
ment. 1t was evident that her strength was
failing very fast, and that she could not main.
tain her hold many minutes longer.
A hasty consultation among the calmest of
the ladies was held, when it was determined
that DR.. Tinson, who was present, should be
called to their assistance. He was quickly on
the spot, and being man Of uncommon cour-
age, he was not many moments within the cir.
Gle OF weeping and halftainting females, until
he he had caught the tail of the snake, and
wound it firmly around, told Miss M. that she
must let go at the moment he jerked it away,
and to make the act as instantaneous as pos,
sible, he told her that he would pronounce the
words one, two, three, and that at the moment
he pronounced the last word, she must let 60
her hold, and that he doubted not that he could
withdraw the snake before it could have time
To strike A II stood in breathless horror await.
ing the act of life or death, and at the moment
the word three was pronounced, the doctor
ierked out the largest and most diabolical look.
ing hustle that was ever seen in Mississippi.
The whole affair was at once explained. The
fastening of the machine had become loose
during the dancing, and it had shifted its posi-
ton in such way that it danged about and
induced the belief that it was snake with an
enormous head
The doctor fell right down in his tracks,
and ----- he did