The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-07-19
A FrIghtfuI Snake Story.


I The following incident, says the MiSsissip-
/ pi Journal, was related 10 Us tie other day by
one whose veracity is unquestioned, and who
was an eyewitness Of the fact IL IS more
appalling than any recollect to have ever
read in the history Of these reptiles:
Some time last summer lie inhabitants of
Manchester, Mississippi, gave a barbecue,
which was attended by most Of the beauty
and fashion OF the town and surrounding
country. It happened that among the guests
there was a young lady, Miss NJ, recently
from one of the Eastern cities who was on a
visit 10 her relations in the neighborhood Of
tie town.
Miss NJ was a gay and extremely fashion
able young lady, and withal possessed an un-
common share of spirit and courage. except
IN the matter OF snakes, and of those she had
50 great dread that she scarcely dared to
walk any where except in the most frequent
ed places, for fear of encountering them. Ev-
cry effort was used bat withou. avail. to rid
her of her childish fears. They haunted her
continually, till at last it became the settled
conviction OF her mind that she was destined
to fall victim 10 the fangs of rattcsnake.
The sequel will show how soon her terrible
presentiment was fulfilled.
Toward the close of the day, while scores
of the fairy feet were keeping time IN the
dauce 10 the music, and tie whole company
were in the full tide Of enjoyment, a scream
was heard from Miss NJ, followed by the most
agonizing cries for help. The crowd gathered
around herinstantly, and beheld her Standing
the perfect image of despair, with her hands
gra>ping portion of her dress with all the
tenacity of wise. 1t was some time before
she could be rendered sufficiently calm to tell
the cause of her alarm. and then they gather
l. i L
grasping the head OF snake among tie folds
of her dress, and feared to let 90 her aoll for
fear Of receiving the fatal blow. This uteIli
gence caused many to shrink from her; but
the ladies' to their honor be it told, determin-
ed not to leave her in her direful extremity.
They besough her not 10 relax her held, a>
safety depended upon it, Till some one could
be found with courage enough to seize and re-
move the terrible reptile. There were none Of
the ladies' willing, however, 70 perform the
ACT, and Che situation of Miss NJ. was becon-
ing more and more critical every moment
1t was evident that her strength WAS falling
very fast, and that She could not maintain her
hold many minutes longer.
y hasty consultation among the calme>t of
the ladies' was held, when it was determined
that DR.. Ilson, who was present, should be
called TO their q sistanCe He was quickly on
the spot. and being man Of uncommon cour-
age. lie was not many minutes within the cir
Gle of weeping and half faintipg females till he
caught the tail OF the snake, and wound il
round hi- l.~i ~l-a er,ra of his hal
He then told Miss NJ. that she must let 90 at
the moment he Ierked it away, and to make
the act as instantaneous as possible, he would
pronounce the words one, two. three, and a
the moment he pronounced the last word she
must let 60 her hold, and he doubted not he
could withdraw the snake before it would
have time 10 strike. All stood in Breathe
horror, awaiting toe act Of life 2r death; and
A the moment the word three was pronounced
the Doctor jerked out the largest and most
diabolical locking bustle that was ever seen in
Mississippi The whole affair was then ex
planned. The fastening OF the machine had
become loose during dancing, and it had SHIFT
eI lis position in such a way that 1t daugle4
about The lady's limbs, aud induced the belief
that it was Il snake with An enormous head.
The Doctor fell right down in bis tracks
and lainted--he did.