North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-05-25
McGREGOR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 1870
A Fifth at w hist,

A Fifth at Whist.
We had been playing all the evening at
whist, says Lieut.. Col. Adison, disting>
uished British officer, stationed in India.
Our stake had been gold mohar points,
and twenty on the rubber. Maxey, who
was always lucky, had won five consecu'
tive bumpers, which lent a self satisfied
smile to his couatenance, and made us,
the losers, look anything but pleased,
when ne suddenly changed countenance,
and hesitated to play. This the more sur
prised US since he was one who seldom
pondered, being SO perfectly master of the
game that he deemed long consideration
superaueus.
"Play away, Maxey, what are you
about ~ impatiently demanded Churchill,
one of the most impetuous youths that
ever wore the uniform of the body guard.
"Hush! ~ responded Maxey, in tone
that thrilled through us, at the same time
turning deadly pale.
care you unwell ?'' said another, about
to start up. for he believed our friend had
been suddenly taken i'll.
"For the love of God, sit quiet - re.
Joined the ether, in a tone denoting eA-
treme fear or pain, and he laid down his
cards. eff you value my life. move not"
"What can he mean? Has he taken
leave of his senses ?' demanded Church.
i'll, appealing to myself.
'Don't start-don't move. l tell you %
in sort of whisper never can forget,
uttered Maxey. ''If you make any sud-
den motion, I am a dead man y
We exchanged looks. lie continued:
"Remain quiet, and all may be well. l
have Cobra Copel!a round my leg!''
Our first impulse was to draw back our
chairs, but the victims appealing look in
duced as to remain, although we were
perfectly aware that, should the reptile
transfer but one fold and attach himself
to any other of the party, that indivdua.
might already be counted dead man, SO
fatal is the bite of that dreaded monster
Poor Maxey was dressed as many old resi-.
dents still dress in India, namely, breech>
es and silk stockings; he therefore mere
plainly felt every movement of the snake.
His countenance assumed livid hue the
| words seeming to leave his mouth without
altering its position, so rigid was his look,
SO fearful was he lest the slightest muscu-
lar movement should alarm the serpent
and hasten its fatal bite. We were in
agony little less than his.
"He is coiling round - murmured Max
ey; II feel him cold-cold to my limb i;
and now he tightens. For the love of
heaven call for some milk! Let it be
placed on the ground near me; let some
be split on the floor"
Churchill cautiously gave the order, and
servant slipped out of the room.
"Don't stir !! Northcote, you moved
your head. By everything sacred, con-
jure you not to do SO again 1t can not
be long ere my fate is decided. l have a
wife and two children in Europe; tell them
| died blessing them-that my last pray
ers were for them. The snake is win ling
itself round my calf. leave them all
possess. l can almost fancy l feel his
breath! Great God, to die in such a
manner !"
The milk was brought and carefully put
down, few drops were sprinkled on the
floor and the affrighted servants drew
back. Again Maxey spoke:
"No, no, it has no affect on the con-
trary, he has clasped himself tighter he
has uncurled his upper fold dare not
look down, but am sure he is about to
draw back and give the bite of death with
more fatal precision. Receive me 0 Lord,
and pardon me My last hour is come. ~
Again he pauses:
II die firm, but this is past endurance.
All, no! he has undone another fold and
loosens himself Can he be going to
| some one else 2?
We involuntarily started.
''For the love of heaven, stir mott am
dead man, but bear with me. lie still
loosens-he is about to dart. Move not,
but beware. Churchill, he falls off that
way. Oh this anguish is too hard to
bear. Another pressure and l am dead.
Oh, he relaxes."
At that moment poor Maxey ventured
to look down. The snake had unwouhd
himself; the last coil had fallen and the
reptile was making for the milk.
II am saved-saved p and Maxey
bounded from the chair. and fell senseless
into the arms of one of his servants.
Another instant (need it be said p We
were all dispersed, the snake was killed
and our poor friend carried, more dead
than alive, to his room. That scene can
never forget; it dwells on my memory
still, strengthed by the fate of poor Max.
ey, who from that hour, pined in hopeless
imbecility.
ShOddy.
Not the least important Of the mapu'
featuring towns is Bailey, the chief seat Of
that great latter day staple Of England
Shoddy. This is the famous rag>capital--
the latter metropolis, whittier every beg
|
gar in Europe sends his cast off clothes to