New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-19
FROM BOS TON.

Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.
Boston, Tuesday, July IL, 1855.
The story of the little girl in New Hampshire
who is charmed with or by black snakes, appears
TO be authenticated far, at least that 1t Is
certain there is girl and there are black snakes
attendant Oh her. 1t is reported, presume IN
lest. that Barnum passed through Boston on
Saturday, on his way to see the girl and her
compauions. What if the whole thing be of
Barpums getting up Who knows' You may
remember that last year there was similar
story in the papers ola little girl IN the west
in Missouri or Wisconsin, think-who was
charmed with black snake which she was ac-
customed TO feed with bread oshd cake, and
which was shot by her father in the presence of
the child, who Immediately died IN commissions.
1t was g, Mt rally considered at the time clever
canard, and believe there was no serious at
tempt to support it by proof Perhaps Barnum
cot up the Western story last year as prelude
to the production of the New-Hsmpshire girl and
her tame snake now These are strange times,
however, ord we know not what monstrosities
thew may bring forth The snake is queer
and mystic creature, with very bad CORE
spopdence. and | should not much wonder II
be should be permitted to play his part In the
spiritual manifestations, or rather iVesfdtions
which are preplexing the world In this New
Hampshire case it may be that the snake instead
of charming is charmed. The girl may possess
something like the mesmeric power OF the Eastern
snake chsImers.
Talking of snakes il rs singular that after set
Element Of two centuries and quarter the neigh
borhood Of Boston should yet be inhabited by so
formidable and 40 easily detected reptile as the
rattlespake large one was killed two or three
weeks since in Lynn, within ten miles OF State ST.;
and on Sunday last another four feet long, was cap
tured in Milton at less distance from the city,
in an opposite direction. Within twenty years
two very large ones have been killed in Cambridge
within sight Of Harvard College These, however.
were not denizens, but travellers IN search OF
"something TO drink - for it was in an uncommon
dry time A long continued drouth is apt TO bring
the snakes from the hills into the low grounds
Let me tell you story of black snake.
student in Harvard College some years ago, While
walking in Mount Auburn met black snake
considerable size which he attempted TO Xii.
After woundipg the reptile 30 to disable 1t, be
relenteS. and instead Of killing the snake took II
live 10 his room in the College. 1t soon got we'll
and Grew very tame. so that the student was &C
eus.omed 10 let il nestle in bis bosom, and would
sometimes carry il with him in that way when be
went 10 walk. When not playing with II, ne kept
il in the drawer Of bureau, leaving small aper-
ture 10 admit light and air After some months
the student one night slept out of College and be,
fore Going away enlarged little the opening OF
the drawer of the bureau. The snake eontrlved
10 Get ont. and after probably playing about the
room till he was tired coiled himself into one
of his masters boots to take nap About
daylight colored servant, who was &c
cu,tomed to wait upon the student make hres'
clean shoes, &c, but who bad never nap,
n 10 attend TO his usual duties After making the
FIRE and clearing up the room he proceeded 70
clean the students boots. Flosrishing his brush
in one band he unsuspectingly thrust the other
into the boot which contained the sleeping snake.