Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-12-09
About Xatlirsnakes.

hDOut
There are in the Blue Ridge two
distinct spcces-thc yellow and the
black rattlesnakc. The yellow was
formerly supposed to be the male and
the black the female the fallacy of that
opinion is demonstrated by the fact
that in many localities only one of these
kinds is ever seen, and also by the great
difference in size and form-the yellow
being very thick and short and the
black long and slender But both Of
the species are beautifully ornamcnted
with flowers, which in the sun light
partake of all the colors of the rainbow
The yellow snake is much less liable TO
rattle than the black, and therefore rs
most to be dreaded, though no depend
ence need be placed in either, rs il de
pends altogether upon the caprice OF the
moment when they retreat, advance,
rattle or play possum. The PARTIAL
ty of this snake for the company of
children has been frequently noticed
among mountaineers. A few years ago
a farmer, whose cabin stood in one OF
the widest localities among the noun.
tains. on coming into the house one
day, discovered his little daughter, two
years old, sitting up in bed, where she
had been placed when asleep by her
mother The child was laughing inn
moderately, and showing by It's every
action and expression of countcnance
that it was greatly pleased. The faith
er approached, when, to his horror, he
discovered that IN enormous raltlcsnake,
the largest he had ever seen, was in
bed with the child and actually coiled
around her body His presence instant
" wrought change in the conduct Of
the snake, which dexterously uncoilcd
itself from the child and assumed an at
titude Of battle. The Iuountaincers
rifle hung upon a rack over the door,
he grasped il in his hand with feelings
which cannot be described, and awaited an
opportunity to shoot He had no sooner
done so than the snake began caressing
the child by rubbing its head fondly
against her cheek and dartingits iorkcd
tongue almost in her eyes Then he
would raise his tail and rattle SO rapidly
rs TO make one continued sound, at
which the child was greatly delighted.
But, upon the least movement on the
part of the almost distracted parent, the
snake would change the tone Of bis rat
Ting, and swell to almost twice his
natural size During all this time the
child tightly grasped the snake with
her chubby little hands, and jerked and
twisted him about in very rude and
unceremonious manner, laughing and
talking to her horTid plaything in a per
feet ectacy Of delight This state Of
things va, finally ended by a movement
of the parents, which 50 cnraged the
serpent that he drew himself up into
a tight coil, leaped out Of the bed, and
would have buried lis fangs i'll the
farmers face had he not quickly dodgcd
to one side. As it was, the serpent
went over his head and ont at the door,
where it renewed the signal Of battle,
but was quickly stretched out stiff in
death by a strike from the rifle.
IMPORTANT DEcIsIos IN REGARD TO
ISrEREsr-Judge Smith, Of Fauquier,
presiding in Loudoun, has decided that
party giving note bearing interest
at ten per cent, for specified time,
(after date), if the note is not paid at
the expiration of the time specified, the
holder of the note cannot demand after
that date more than six per cent, as
ten Ler cent. was subject of contract
and the contract expired at the expira-
ton of the time stated on the face of
the note-after stating the amount
agreed upon, if II be more than SIX per
cent to add TO the face Of the note, ''un-
til paid"
Here is the most dog goned affection
ate sample of amatory poetry that We
have ever seen:
When old Carlo sits in Sallys chair,
Oh don't | wish that | were there !
When her fairy fingers pat his head,
Oh don't l wish twas me instead !
When Sally's arms his neck imprison,
Oh don't | wish my neck WIS his !!
When Sally kisses Carlos nose,