Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-09-12


!. SNAKE, TANNING IN aENGIAND--A..o cores
pondent, Of the London, Times .Itells this story :
happened TO- know. the gentleman and
against whom compaipt was recently made be-
cause of the snakes they keep apd i should
like to. give a.short ACCOUNT of myivlslt to them.
MIR. d.. after we bad tai ked lltsle,w hiles ask-
ed if l had any feaEt. Of snakes, and latter a
tinid mo, not very from me, be produced out
of a cupboard a large boa constructor, python,
and several small snakes, which at once made
themselves at home on the writing table, among
pens, ink, and books. IL was at, first good
deal frightened, especially WIEN. the two. large
snakes coied round and round my friend, and
began to notice me with their bright eyes. and
forked tongues; but soon finding how tame they
were, !, ceased to feel, frightened Il J.,.. :,
After q short time Mr.. NJ. expressed wish
to call Mrs. NJ, and lett me With the boa de.
posted ON Ian arm chair /; felt a. little queer
when the animal began gradually to come near,
but the entrance of my host and hostess, follow
ed by two charming little children, put me at
ease again. :: ... ...., j. -. ..-.:i i,!., ;;
After the first interchange of civihties she
and. children wentat once, to the boa, and call
ing it by the most epdsar ng name, allowed It
to twine itself NEST gracefully about them. |
sat talking for a long time, lost ~ wonder at
the picture before me- Two beautiful little
girls With their. charming mother sat before
ane with boa constructor las thick round as a
small, treel tYiping plaXfully around the, lady $
wrist and neck, aud forming a kind ,ot turbau
round her heaa, .expec. ing TO-, be .netted and
made much of EEe-a-kitten. The childIen over
and over again took: ats .bea,i 80 their hands,
and kissed it's mouth, pushing aside ats torked
tongue in doing SO. The animal seemed pleased !,
bu, kept turning its head continually towards
me with a curious gaze. until L allowed At to
nestle its. head for a moment up my sleeve
Nothing could be prettier than to see this splen
did serpent coied all round Mrs. N. wi hile she
moved about the room, and when, she. stood
to pour out our coffee. He seemed TO-. adjust
his weight so nicely, and, every coil with It's
beautiful marking was relieved by tic black
velvet dress Of the lady. lt..was long before
| could make up my mind to end t he visit, and
| returned soon after with friend Ia dls:ln-
guished NJ. p. to see my snakct.mi:g &c,
u,lalatance again. H
About year ago Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. were
away for six weeks, and left the boa in charge
of a keeper at the Zoo. The poor ccptiic
,nooped, aud slept, and refused to be coHiurt-
ed, but whom his master and mistress appeared,
he spraug upon them with delight, col'!ns MA
self round them, and showing every syup1oln
OF intense delight. -. J.: 80. ... ,.@
TURNED His BRAIN. "A middle aged man
late of FL Dorado county, called at the law OF
flee of Ouilnt j. Hardy, in Montgomery block, a.
few DAYS since. and anXiously, inquired, tor
Judge Quint. The Judge was not ip, and the
stranger was told take seat. He did SO, but
seemed uneasy and restless, ,glapcing, turtlvely
around, Jumping up and pacing: the foor and
ever and anon eagerly examining something
which was wrapped up in On 2old red handker'
chief The visitor conduct attracted the at
tention of those in the office and one OF the
clerks inquired what was the matter. lak1ng 1ny
the latter by the arm, the excited stranger: led
him to the corner, Of the; room and thens with
trembling bands unWrapped the: old haadker-
chief, and exclaimed, y We got the biggest
diamond in. the world ri. exhibiting at the
same; time to the astonished gaze. Of the clerk
q clean, white piece of quartz ABOUT the size of
a hen egg Just then Judge Quint came 10,
and the man seized upon him. exhibited his
prize, and annouseed that. it was worth i've
millions Of dollars I He then said that nnper-
ous parties were following him around Offering
enormous sums for the diamond, He had
concluded to sell it for five milhopsof: dollars,
and wanted Judge Quiot TO- draw up. the COP,
tract Of sale, and see that everything was all
right. The lawyer evidently suspected that "a
everything was not albright, at least 10 the
agiuary prize told him te' call again n':the! next
day. l. A Post reportephesrine of the affair, .in
teryiewed the Judge immediately: and learned
from him that. the lIhaggafd hooking stranger
was an I'D miner of 4Ef' porade"eeunty THAT
bo had come to- this city on IA: visit" and had
been seizsd with thediamohd fever His: five
million dollar diamend was! nothing more than
niecesof .Cahforpi. Quartz; but it had 'tutn 4
tho poor fellowsihead and 'tRfeateaed lead.
hin to, the: lunatc #asylunsi' Since then we:
have been Informed that the man has returned
homie, .stat clutching his imaginary '!treasure
and laboring under the, delusion> chat is ,a
fve-iold millionaire -,Sdre FfancssctI5 5st..'@: %
=. DRINKING MATER. - Drinking winesis hab-y
it, sois drinking Spirits lale,: "Sider,! coffee,
aud water. The last is, Thought n necessity,
but to drink much is a habit Some people
drink litte-not because their constitutions re-
tn,ires less tfan Others; tits Sfheir habit Those
pc0ple never persppjre 50 much as those who
drink more? THE more there IS dfank3 the more.
water passes away; or the system Woufd. spter
u :p.t e! jt.i!i IHn het