The daily Gate City., 1855-07-13
Fran .hs " ssi ssip3l Journal.
PRI0HTFUL SNAKE STORY

The following incidt nj was lated 10
Us the oth'r day by one whose veracty is
unquestionei, and ~ho was an eye wit
ness Of the fact l. il m re appalling han
any we recollect to have ever read in The
history of these reptiles:
Snme time last summer the inhaoi ants
Of Manchester. Mississippi, gave bar
bacue. which was tended BY M ost oil the
fashion and beau Of the town aad sur
rouniing country. |, happened that among
the guests there was a y ung lady. Miss
who was on visit 10 her relations in the
nei2hborhood Of the town.
Miss vi. was gay and exceedingly
fashionable young ny. and w.thal pos
sessed an uncommon share Of spirit and
courage. excep, in a m ,tter OF snakes. and
OF those she hid so great dread that she
scarcely dared 10 wax anywhere, except
in the most freqnenied places, for fear Of
encoun ering them. Evers effort WAS
used. but withou. avail. to rid her Of her
childish feHs. They haunted her con,in-
ually. until at last it became the settled
.envictlon 4 her mind thai she was des-
mei to fall a victim to the fangs Of rat
tlesnske. The sequel viii show how soon
her terrible presenIment was fulfilled.
Towards the close OF the day, while
scores Of fairy feet were keeping time in
tho dance 10 the music. and the whole
company we're ia the full tide of erjny-
ment. a scream vas hear from Miss. NJ
followed by the most az onizing cries for
help. Tee crowd gathered und er in
siantly. an behel her The perfect image
of despair, with her hands gra.ping y
portion Of her dress with all the teaacity
OF vice. It was some time before she
could be rendered suffiei.. n.ly calm to tell
the cause Of her ?. rm; and then they
gathered from ner broken exclama'io IS
that she was ,ra>ping the head ofa snake
among the folds Of Ter dress. and feared
to let eo her hold for fear of rec. living the
lat, blow. This intelligence caused many
to shrink from her, but most OF the lafics.
for their honor be II tod, del. rlnined not
10 leave her In her direful extremity.
They besought her II to relax herl he'd
~ safety depended up,n it, until some
one could be found with courage enough
to seize and remove the terrible animal.
There were none Of the ladies, however.
TO perform the act. and the situatioa Of
Miss NJ. was becoming more and more
critical every moment. 1t was evident
that her strength was failin. fast, and
that she could cot maintain hel hold many
minutes longer.
A hasiy consultation among the calm.
ost Of the ladies was hell. when il was
determined that Mr.. Tison, who was pres
/. ent. should be called 10 their assistance. -
He w4s quickly on the spot. snd being a
man Of uncommon courage. ne was not
many minutes within the circle Of weep
ing and half-f4inting females. until he
caught the tail OF the snake and wound I
round his hand TO make sure Of his hold.
lie then told Miss M. that she must let
q =. the moment he jerked il away; AMI
10 make the acisas inslantsneous as possi.
BE, he would pronounce the words one.
two, three, and 1t thc mnment, ha pro
aouuced the last word, she must lst g.
her hold, and he doubted not he could
withdraw the snake before it would have
4ine 10 strike. All s'ood in brsathless
horror, awaiiipg the scs Of life Or death |;
and q ~ mouasnt thu word thrss Mas
,proeouneed. ~ Doctor jssked out the
1ssaeet "a nost 6iaholieal hustle ikst u -
80 111o2 y ~ i. 1he Whele sl
f - H r