Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-08-04
Another story of Snake Charming.

Mr., G. \. Bowen. of New Hampshire,
has furnished the Boston Traveller with
the following. The incidents, II Is stated
are stric,lv true, and occurred in the town
of Danbury, about twenty years ago:
An interesting little child, only four
wears of age, son of MIR. David Ball OF
that place. used frequently 10 call for
bread and milk between It's regular meals,
and when it was given TO him, would take
his dish and 90 out short distance from
the house. sit down upon large stone and
eat if. Even al meal times instead oi sIt-
ting down at the table with the rest oi 'hc
family, the child would take his p ate ot
potato and butter, and 60 out 10 his
rcc!i and there finish his meal alone. III
his mother demonstrated and insisted upon
his sitting at the table, he would cry pit
couslv, and at times utterly refuse TO eat
ANYTHING. This was regarded rs 4 whlm
of the chid's and but little notice was Ia
ken q! it, and being the baby, he was al
lowed to have pretty much his own way
lie was hearty and rugged, had as much
bread and milk as he wanted, and during
the day usually played out OF doors by
himself.
One day, as usual, Johnny, after re-
ceiving his bread and milk, went out TO
his stone to eat, but presently returned
and asked for another spoon. HIS father
being present felt curious to know how
Johnny could eat with two spoons, anu
perhaps thinking to surprise and have
Iue fun with his darling boy, quietly slip
ped out of the back door 10 the corner OF
She'd near by 10 watch him. The child
seated himself upon the rock, and without
offering TO touch his iavorte beverage, sat
nearly minute in silence; getting impa-
,ient. he called in low voice, "Pccklcd
coat! pcckled coat Come back and get
YOUR dinner" The moment the chiId's
voice was heard, large spcckled adder
crawIed from beneath the stone, slowly
raised himself upon the chld's lap, and
there coiled itself nearly half up, and IN a
moment was eating from the same dish
with the child. The child all the while
talking TO the snake in its low plalntlvc
voice, every now and then looking up as
if fearful that some one might over hear
him; pailing him with his little hand, cal
ling him his little "peckle coat the while,
and urging him TO eat with the spoon, ire-
quenlIy telling him 10 eat upon bis own
side of the dish; and whenever this rule
was deviaed from, he got gentle tap on
the head with the spoon.
The father looked unit in his agony he
could look no longer; seizing club he
sprung 10 destroy the snake. But he was
not quick enough. In a moment the snake
was under the rock. The child walked
quietly into the house without uttcrng
wore, and would not speak for some time.
Twice after this the boy was allowed to
call the snake out, but the father was un-
able TO get near enough 10 Kill it. AT last
Ihc child was confined in the house, and
the lathcr,b by tie assistance fothers, ,Pricd
up the stone and killed the reptile. The
snake was Of that species known in that
vicinity as the milk adder, was nearly
three feet long, and between three and
four inches round the body.
When the child learned the fate Of The
snake, It's grief could mol be described, and
was most painful to witness. For hours
after, ii would cry Pileously. ooh, fsih-
er, you killed my poor pcckIed coat
sobbing the while as if its Ittlc heart would
break; and for weeks after this he would
20 and sit on this stone and mournIuIIy
call for his "peckIed coat" IL was with
difficulty he could be made 10 eat anything,
and for nearly three months continued To-
pine away until he was reduced 10 mere
Skeleton. But this unnatural grief ~
tine wore away. lie IS now bale and
hearty Young man, and with all, much re-
spccled by those who knew him"