Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-26
Another story of snake Charming.

Mr. G.. A. Bowen, Of New Hampshire, has
furnished the Boston Traveller with the following.
The incidents, il is stated, strictly true, and
occurred in the town Of Danbury. abont twenty
years ago:
An interesting little child, only -four years OF age,
son of Mr.. Ovid Ball Of that place, used frequent
II 10 call for bread and milk between lis regular
meals and when il was given 10 him, would take
his dish aud go out short distance from the
house SIT down upon large stone and eat IT.
Even al meal times instead Of sitting down al the
table with the rest of ihe family the child would
take lis plate Of potato and butter, and go out 10
his rock and there finish his meal alone. If his
mother re demonstrated and insisted upon his sitting
al the table, he would cry piteously, and at times
utterly refuse 10 eat any thing This was re-
garded as within OF the childs and but little
notice taken Of il, and being the baby, he
was allowed TO have pretty much his own way.
He was hearty and rugged, had as much bread
and milk he wanted, and during the day
usually played out OF doors by himself
One day, as usual, Johnny, after receiving
his bread and milk, went out 10 his stone 10 eat,
but presently returned and asked for another
spoon His father being present felt curious 10
know how johnny could eat with two spoons, and
perhaps thinking 10 surprise and have little fun
with his darling boy, quietly slipped out OF The
back door 10 the corner OF shed near by.io watch
HIM The child seated himself upon the rock,
and without offering 10 touch his favorte beve-
rage sat nearly minute in silence getting impa-
tient he called in a low voice, "Peckled coat
peckled coat! Come back and get your dinner ~
The moment the chd's voice was heard, large
speckled adder crawed from beneath the stone,
SLOWLY raised himself upon the chd'slap, and there
coiled itself nearly half up, and in moment was
eating from the same dish with the child. The
chid all the while talking 10 the snake in It's low
plantve voice, every now and then looking up
as if fearful that some one might over hear him
patting him with his little hand calling him his
little s'peckle coat the while, aud urging him TO
eat with the spoon, frequently telling him 10 eat
upon his own side Of the dish and whenever this
rule was deviated from, he got gentle tap on the
head with the spoon.
The father looked until in his agony he could
look no longer; seizing club he sprung to destroy
the snake But he was not quick enough 10 a
moment the snake was under the rock. The
child walked quietly into the house without
utterng word, and would not speak for some
lime Twice after this the boy was allowed 10
call the snake out, but the father was unable 10
get near enough TO kill il. At last the child was
confined in the house, and the father, by, the
assistance OF Others pried up the stone and killed
The reptile The snake wa ofthat species known
in that vicinity as the mix 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 not be described, and was most
painful to witness. For hours after, il would cry
pitiously ooh, father you killed my poor peckled
coat - sobbing the while its little heart would
break and for weeks after this he would go and
sit on this stone and mournfully call Tor his
"pecked coat" II was with difficulty he could
he made TO eat anything and for nearly three
months continued TO pine away, until be was
reduced 10 mere skeleton But this immature
grief in time wore away. He is now a hale anc
hearty young man, and with all, much respected
by those who know him."