Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-04-11
Bonaparte and the snake Catcher.

Bonaporte ana the snake Catcher.
When Napoleon Bonaparte was in
Egypt he determined to ascertain as much
as possible about the habit and customs
of the people in the practice so common
among the Egyptians. of snake charming
or catching. One day he sent for one of
these snake-e, tchers. AID said to him by
means Of his Interpreter. There is n
serpent in this house. il you find it. you
shall have two sequins for yourself and
two for your men,"
The man having prostrated himself,
called for two buckets of water. As soon
as they were brought, he updressed him
self, then filing his mouth with water,
and creeping on his belly like the reptile
he sought, squirted il through his teeth
so as to initiate the kissing Of serpent.
Having crept in this manner through the
ground door, he placed himself before
Napoleon, aud said with savage laugh.
"Maiche. Mafehef' which means, ..there
Is none." The General also laughed, and
said, chow is this? Is the fellow, in
earnest, able TO tell ?' He then ordered
the interpreter clearly to explain that the
reptile had been seen. al know it," re-
piled the fellow: '' smelt him as enter
ed the house." Here wo are" said
the General. in. chief, e. the action is now
going to begin. Well, let tho serpent
appear and / will give thee two sequins
more.''
The man Immediately recommended
creeping, and squirted water on all sides.
He assembled, In the same manner, stair
case leading TO an upper story, occupied
by Bourrienne. A long dark cor,ider
opened into several apartments. II was
lighted by sky-light at the further end.
which gave view Of the country, and at
the bottom of this sky light was placed
the water fountain, this spot being tho
coolest in the house. The opening itself
was sufficiently large to give, from the
other extremity Of the corridor. view of
the beautiful blue Egyptian sky. On at
tanning the landing. place of this corridor
the juggler paused, and betrayed emo
ton. He was closely followed by the
General in. chief and a number Of officers,
attracted by curiosity. The General did
not lose sight Of the fellow for an instant,
and was determined, if he discovered the
least trick. to take him in the act. On
seeing him shudder aud close his eyes,
=" Thy man is beginning his part" said
the General to Junot. And, 10 truth, the
snake. .catcherWas in most ex .raordinary
state. Habitually pale. as all swarthy
skins are, he became every moment pale-
er. He called for more water, washed
his body, squirted and Missed as before,
but produced another kind Of hissiug.-
He looked on each side Of the landing
place, and made sign with his hand to
keep silent, still. creeping upon his belly,
advanced TO the right side of the corlider,
which was the darkest part Of IT, Ina
short time after squirting his moutbful Of
water. he exclaimed in low tone, ..There
he is !" 81 should be delighted to do
him the honors Of hospitality" said the
General.in.cbief. I" But my friend,
suspect that thou art laughing at US
Do you know that this rascal, with his
Kissing. has been making fools Of us for
the last half hour. in forcing US to run.
without umbrellas, after his imaginary
serpent ?" The snake.catcher continued
TO hiss and creep. On sudden, black
round body, resembling the branch OF a
tree, appeared in relief upon tho pure
azure, which was visible through The sky-
light. II was a handsome serpent, real,
alive. and about six feet long. At this
sight the fellow redoubIed his missing and
squirting and the serpent. after uncoil-
ing itself from around the fountain, hissed
in its turn, but its note was niuch moro
piercing.
The eyes of the reptile shone, in this
sombre corridor, with a blood colored
flame. It glided along the fountain, and
stopped then slight noise was heard
it was the reptile rising upon It's TAIL
The snake.catcher could not do the same,
because he had no tail; but no raised
himself half mp, and made slight mo.
lion. In an instant the reptile dsrted at
bim. He was waiting for this attack
and at the very moment It was made.
caught the animal with one hand around
the throat, which he squeezed with such
violence as 70 force open its mouth. into
which he spat. The effect was magical (:
the reptile seemed 70 have received ils
death blow. The man afterwards ex-
traeted its fangs. or rather the venom con.
tanned in small yesicles attached 70 It's
jaws. He then played with IL, made IL
dance, and put il round his neck The
snake-cateher," said Napoleon, sis a
lucky cbarlatan."
NAPoLEoN's HOUsE AT SF. HELEHA.
-Longwood is now little better than a
barn. Che glass Of the windows is broken.
and the outward wall much di-fgured.
The door az which visitors are admitted is
covered with small latlioed yeIapda,
and leads into what is called The billiard
room, although II seems too small ever 70
have been used for that purpose.
Its walls are covered with scFibIinRs.
and its general appearance is dirty and