New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-10-16
Four of the members of the Missouri Legisla-
ture are sin a bad fix" being pledged to vote
with the majority, and no party has a majority.
A Fifth at whist

We had been playing all the evening at whist
Our stake had been gold mohur points, and
twenty on the rubber. Maxey, who is always
lucky, had won five consecutive bumpers, which
lent self-satisfed smile to his countenance
and made us, the losers, look any thing but
pleased, when he suddenly changed countenance,
and hesitated to play; this the more surprised
us, since he was one who seldom pondered, being
SO perfectly master of the game that he deemed
long consideration superfuous
g Play away, Maxey; what are you about !"
mpetuously demanded Churchill, one Of the
most impetuous youths that ever wore the
uniform of the body guards.
g Hush y responded Maxey, in tone which
thrilled through us, at the same time turning
deadly pale.
" Are you unwell p said another, about, to
start up, for he believed our friend had suddenly
been taken ill.
"For the love of God sit quiet! % rejoined the
other, in tone denoting extreme fear Of pain,
and he laid down his cards. IF you value
my life, move not"
"What can he mean has he taken leave of
his senses? ?" demanded Churchill, appealing to
myself.
&c Don't start, don't move, / tell you p in a
sort Of whisper I never can forget, uttered
Maxey g If you make any sudden movement,
I'm dead man.
We exchanged looks. He continued
"Remain quiet, and all may yet be we'll I
have a cobra capella round my leg"
Our first impulse was to draw back our
chairs but an appealing look from the victim
induced us to remain, although we we're aware
that should the reptile transfer but one fold,
aud attach himself to any other of the party,
| that individual might already be counted as a
dead man, SO fatal is the bite Of that dreaded
monster.
Poor Maxey was dressed as many old resi-
L Il Tod, a1xy 10,
| and silk stockings; he therefore the more
| plainly felt every movement Of the snake. His
countenance assumed liv5d hue; the words
seemed to leave his mouth without that feature
altering its position--so rigid was his look, so
fearful was he lest the slightest muscular move
| ment should alarm the serpent and hasten his
| fatal bite. aa 5M
| We we're in agony little less than his own
| during the scene.
sHe is coiling round!" murmured Maxey
| E feel him cold-cold to my limb; and now he
| tightens Far the love of heaven call for some
| milk l dare not speak loud; let it be placed
on the ground near me, and let some be split on
| the floors
Churchill cautiously gave the order, and q
servant slipped noiselessly out of the room.
"Dont sir--Norhcote, you moved your head
| By every thing sacred conjure you not to do sc
again 1t cannot be long ere my fate is decided
| have q wife and two children in Europe; tel
| them died blessing them-that my last prayers
were for them the snake is winding itseli
round my calf 81 leave them all possess--I car
almost fancy feel his breath. Great God te
| die in such a manner
| The milk was brought and carefully put
down; few drops were sprinkled on the floor
and the affrighted servants drew back.
Again Maxey spoke.
| q No, no, it has no effect on the contrary he
has clasped himself tighter-he has uncurlee
his upper fold! dare not look down, but an
sure he is about to draw back and give me tn,
bite of death with more fatal precision. Re
ceiye me, O Lord and pardon me my las
hour is come! Again he pauses. die firm
but this is past endurance; ali, no. he has un
/ done another fold, and loosens himself. Can b,
j be going to some one else !"
/ We involuntarily started.
| For the love of Heaven stir not; I'm deat
man; but bear with me. He still loosens; he il
about to dart! Move not, but beware, Churchill
he falls off that way. Oh, this agony is to-
hard to bear. Another pressure, and | an
dead No; he relaxes .
At thai moment poor Maxey ventured to lool
down; the snake had unwound himself tn
last coil had fallen, and the reptile was maxim
for the milk.
g / am saved saved - and Maxey bounde
from his chair and fell senseless into the arm
of one of his servants. In another instant
need it be added, We were all dispersed; tn
snake was killed, and our poor friend carrie
more dead than alive to his room.
That scene can never forget; it dwells o
my memory still, strengthened by the fate
poor Maxey, who from that hour pin ed in hope
, less imbecility, and sank into an early gray,