Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-12-19
A BOY sNAKE-OHARMER.

VII Nlu0Jeeutu OtT6oC, uOu Inc ". ~.
& N. Railroad track stands a small
frame house, off to itself in rathera des-
olate-looking locality. A family named
Vsllandingham occupies this house, and
among g2them is boy named Maurice,
aged ten years. Yesterday morning
our reporter was informed that this boy
had collection of thirteen snakes, COM
prising several different kinds, and one
full-grown rattlesnake, which he han
died fearlessly without drawing the
fangs. The story seemed 80 improba-
ble that q representative of the Telegraph
was sent up to interview this youthful
prodigy and his collection of snakes.
With some little difficulty the Telegraph
messenger found the house, situated as
above described, and inquired for the
snake-charmer. He was directed to a
crowd of boys playing on the railroad
track, and informed that he would find
Maurice there. Approaching the boys,
our reporter discovered one of the num-
Der seated alone short distance from
the remainder of the crowd, and appar-
entity taking no interest whatever in
their play. He appeared moody and
silent, rather avoiding than seeking any
notice whatever. Upon being asked if
he was Maurice, the snake-charmer, he
rather laneuidly and indiferently said
eyes" The Telegraph man then ex-
pressed desire to see him handle his
snakes, which was ably seconded by all
the boys, who urged Maurice to bring
out his pets. He positively refused to
go to the house for the snakes, but when
some of the boys volunteered to 60 for
the slimy, ugly pets he agreed to dis
play his skill in tanning and handling
them, Half a dozen boys ran over to
the house and returned, each bringing
in his hands several snakes from one to
three feet in length, darting their forked
tongues out as if in q terrible rage.
Maurice handled the snakes as careless
ly and indifferently as if they were
strings; winding several of them around
his neck, putting his fingers into the
mouths OF the venomous serpents, etc.
He would actually take any one Of them
by the neck and holding the snake
head close to his mouth thrust out and
withdraw his tongue, which would be
Immediately initiated by the snake.
The performances of this boy are truly
wonderful and thrilling, actually excell-
ing all the feats of snake-charming per-
formed by travelling showmen with long
and hard-sounding names. With the
sight is experienced naturally degree
of disgust at the familiarity of snakes,
so abhorrent to all, with human being.
Maurice claims that he had learned the
art of snake-charming about q year ago
from man named Walton, who re-
sides in the country near this city.
The boys first attempt was with rat
tlesnake which he found in the woods
near Walton's house. He placed his
foot on the neck of the serpent, so as to
hold it down and leave the head free.
Naturally the king of all snakes resented
this insult with fierce sound from his
rattles and rapid movement of his
tongue; but the boy looked the snake
steadily in the eye for a moment, when
the rattling and motion of the tongue
ceased. He then stopped down, caught
the snake just below the head with his
hands, and, raising the head to level
with his face, looked steadily into his
eyes for about one minute, when all in
dication Of anger on the part OF the SER
pent ceased, and the boy handled it as
he pleased from that time until day be-
fore yesterday, when it got hurt and he
killed it. This snake had eight rattles
and was over three feet in length. Since
that time the boy makes sport of
catching snakes. Last Saturday, in
company with several boys about his
own age, he went into the swamp above
the fairgrounds, where he caught about
one dozen snakes, which he now has
Not only does he tame the serpents so
that he can handle them himself, but
so completely docs he overcome the nat
urally venomous instincts and remove
all warlike or resentful feelings from
them that any person can handle them
with perfect safety ever afterward.
Yesterday there were about a dozen
boys around Maurice, who seem to be
his little clan. He is both leader and
supreme ruler in that crowd. Without
the least exertion on his part he com
inands implicit obedience from his little
henchmen, who seem to regard him
with kind Of awe. He has but to or,
der to be obeyed with alacrity. and his
little followers seem to feel pleasure
in recognizing one who has such unus-
'lal powers as a leader. He does not
seem to valde the power that renders
him superior to other boys, and When
exhibiting that power does il rather as
. eduty or punishment than pleasure; sh
lleast 4hisis the manner in which he ap-
psared yeeterdsy. Heo sometimes de-
cidss 70 kill q certain snake among the
uumber, and all thspersuasiori and Sim
fplS logic that his little followers can
Fpeothlce fail 20 alter that decision d Hs
sometimes exhibits his snakes and his
power over them for Ave cents, and no
doubt small amount Of money will
readily overcome his objection to "bring
out tlIs snakes" las the boys say} any