The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-03-05

MY clQeSt DOy IS ABOUT 10 marry ID ISIS
Grotc, Grote having become very good
friends with me, and, what is better, very
rich. But, good friends Is we are, l
have never thought it worth my while 10
inform him of his slight mistake.
CHARMED 8Y 4 hA11l ESNAkE.
1t was superlatively hot; sultry per.
haps is better term. Ever since the sun
had risen, red and lurid, the heat had
been growing in intensity, and at high
noon an oppressive blight seemed to fall
on every living thing. There was not a
rustic in the tree branches, not bird
note, even the droning harvest fly had
ceased its monotonous song. The only
sound was the creek as it fretted around
the bowlGers in it's bed. When the first
sunlight had frightened the dew laden
grass into jeweled carpet. had left the
farm house, and, taking path that led
through tie woods, walked to where the
creek intersected the trail, and where my
fishing was to begin. Selecting the cast
that the day before had proved success
ful, began my sport, walking downward
along the bed of the creek.
Cast after cast was made; the most likely
holes and eddies diligently whipped, but
not trout rose responsive to the fall Of
tho fly. After travelling about mile, I
came to where the creek narrowed and
deepened, running between high walls of
limestone. In the bank upon my right
was an opening suggestive Of cave. I
had often noticed it before, and = desire
to explore it had possessed me every time
l had passed it, but until this time my
success with the fly had claimed all nv
time. 1t was then noon, and not trout
had wiggled out his life in my creel.
Discouraged by my adverse luck and
knowing that until evening it would be
useless to tempt the finny people, I con.
cluded to climb into the opening and eat
my lunch there, if nothing else.
The mouth Of the fissure was some dis
lance from the waters edge; the bank
was perpendicular and unbroken by seam
or crevice. Placing all my fishing gear
and superauous clothing on rock that
jutte3 above the water, began the ascent
by piling all the loose stones I could find
together in the form Of 4 pyramid
underneath the cave. By the aid Of
stout pole managed to get hand hold,
and in 4 moment was in the cavern. NV
exertions were rewarded by disappoint.
Eent. The opening did not extend back
more than ten feet, and formed triangle
the base Of which was the opening. One
presented itself; the damp
walls Of rock made the air delightfully."-
cool, offering grateful contrast to the
superheated atmosphere outside. The
floor Of the cave was smooth, not even q
pebble incumbcring it. My lunch had
left on the rock with my other impede
ments, but I determined to indulge in a
rest. Half resting on the floor and part
" supported by the walls where they
formed the apex Of tho triangle, closed
my eyes. A whirr like grasshopper's
cry startled me. opened my eyes, but
could see nothing but the hard limestone
wall and catch faint glimpse of the green
fern fronds that grew at its top. Again I
heard the sound that had first attracted
my attention, and gliding slowly out from
4 crevice in the side Of the cave saw tho
hideous form Of rattlesnake.
In the open country, with chance for
escape and weapons with which to destroy
it. the form Of the deadly reptile inspires
fear and disgust. Slowly it glided out of
ts concealment, its head just lifted above |
The level Of the floor. When half way
across it paused and wreathed itself into
! coil; its tail ceased the vibratory mo.
lion and the sound Of its rattle died into |
silence. Its head lay without motion,
md sleep had evidently conquered it. II
:ast my eyes around, searching for some
Weapon with which to dislodge the serpent.
The survey was unavailing; no instru-
nent Of aid was there. Ny situation |
cit was horrible; imprisoned in a damp
ave, across the entrance Of which lay q
ailor, loathsome and deadly.
An inadvertent movement Of my foot
'oused the snake, and in a moment it was
N the alert: By its movements saw
hat was discovered. Its head flattened
nd vibrated from side to side, its tongue
played like mimic lightning from its Jaws,
md its eyes sparkled like diamonds, cold
md implacable. Again came the skirr of
he rattle. Gradually tho coil unwound,
ing after ring Strengthened, and with
inuous curves the writhing, body came
oward me. Ten feet of distance was be.
ween us. Inch by inch tho distance
the curving, billowing motion Of
he serpent's body with each glinting
Movement was bringing death to me,
cath fearful in itself, but made more ter.
ible by its loneliness.
The distance had contracted to . few
ret, and felt the power Of the diamond
yes their icy beams reached mine and
eemed to tinge my blood with frost.
ear gave place to wonder, and wonder
1erged into calmness-A calmness that
as terrible; it was the calmness, the
lion feels when he stands on the tran.
'ating to catch tic grating of the bolt
pom which. death follows fast. Thoughts
backward, and when lost in the
at would return to the present, and like :
lightning fash would come moments
salixation a. the nameless terror vas !!
!. Nearer came the Shiny folds, the
ray ring about tho neck swelling and
'ntracting Is the hideous head f1attened
nd the jaws opened. / could not close
" eyes 4 fearful fascination held them Z
named upon the writhing shape before U
le. Why did he not strike me! The
rown body touched my feet and felt II
10 weight of the serpent upon my limbs. '
igher and higher it came; Z Shiny .
myth dragged slowly across my hand. 4
pward it came, until tho hideous form v
sstled upon my neck. The horror was
9 great; ! sprang to my feet regardless
the venomed fang. s..=== Y