Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-08-12

From the Rochester Union and Advertiser, July IL
We have heard the particulars Of wonderful
4 case of snake fasination from authentic source
! which we will briefly relate. however much it may
shock the sensbilites of the delicate portions of
\ our readers There is residing on Monroe street,
near the eastern line Of the city, a worthy family
1 by the name of Davis, the head of tile family be-
1 inc employed in a nursery. Mr. and Mrs. D. have
daughter twoyears of age, who has become attach
ed snake, which came into the yard from an adj
joining field a few days since and has become so
much under the influence of the reptile that it ap-
pears TO think of butlittle else The snake and the
child first met, doubt while the latter was at
play IN the yard near the house. but Just how long
since the parents do not know. One day Mrs Davis
found the snake IN the arms of the child, and the
little girl fondling it as she would kitten The
mother was naturally much alarmed By the appar-
ent peril IN which she saw her child and seized a
stick to destroy the reptile. The snake slowly re-
treated observation-disclosures and Kissed at the mother
The Child cried and begged hard of its parent to
desist that she allowed the snake to retreat to its
hiding place
1t soon become apparent that the little girl thought
OF but little else but her companion, the snake and
would return TO the yard in search Of it as often
as she was allowed to do So Under the fascination
OF this reptile The child-a very pretty little girl
has begun to decline, and now weighs but eighteen
pounds. Respectable physicians were consulted, il
Is said and advised that no violence be used towards
TIE snake, as it might prove fatal to the child. How
many meetings the snake and the child have
that they have been frequent When they meet
they rush to each other with all the apparent emo
ton of friendship and attachment thar can exist
between two living beings. Only yesterday Mis-.
Davis to the city with the little girl and when
she returned the party left in charge of the house
informed her that the snake had been more bold /
than usual, and had actually been upon the steps |
leading TO the door, awaiting the appearance Of the
child.
As to the size and variety of this reptile we are I
not advised. We suppose however, it is one OF the /
common brown wood snakes, which are regarded
as harmless. and which seldom attain a length of
more than three feet.
This affair has attracted the attention OF the neigh
bOrs of Mrs Davis and they have urged that the child
be allowed to play with the snake for their amuse-
ment; but this has been denied we understand The /
parents feel much alarmed and desire to remove
the little girl from the facinating influence Of the
snake without prejudice 10 her health and existence
They have been told that it is dangerous 10 take
any sudden step in the matter, and have not done
anything to avert the consequence they fear.
Our nfOrmants men who are reliable and
who have conyersed with the family, and have seen
the child referred to- They represent the parents to
be worthy people. and the child to be pretty one,
bright and intelligent, but evidently in declining
health.