The Portland daily press., 1879-10-25
A Snake Circus.
Something That is Several Degrees Ahead
OF Deli Tremens

John d. Merton, well-known travelling
salesman. had occasion to drive from Conneaut-
Vile, Penn, to Ashtabula via Jefferson, on
Thursday of last week. While. driving leisure
ly along through east or southeast Denmark,
Mr.. Merton heard strange sound issuing from
a dense underground at the side of the road
Tie gentleman got out of the buggy to investi-
gate the cause of the noise, being of curious
turn of mind. Hitching his horse he cautious
lv parted the bushes and stealthily made his
way into the thicket for the distance of 100
feet Here was spot about 20 feet in dame
ter. which was such place as one would i'm
agine for a fairy's ballroom. The sticks and
brush were all cleared away in the space,
doubtless by the burning OF large brusi-heap.
Notwithstanding the gentleman had made his
wav into the brush quietly all sounds
wore hushed at his appearance save the chirp-
ING of a melancholy cricket or the drowsy
singing of distant harvest fly. Mr. Merton,
not to be nonplussed sat down on log in full
view of this arena. and awaited developments.
He had but short time to wait, for not more
than minute had passed ere small striped
snake darted out of bunch of grass at the side
of the arena, and commenced running around
the space in circle Another snake little
larger soon followed, and then rattlesnake
about two feet in length joined III what seemed
to be sort of snake jubilee; every second alter
that seemed to bring a newcomer OF some
kind 1t was noticeable fact that striped
snakes milk snakes, rattle-snakes, black
snakes and water snakes, all joined the throng
in the greatest harmony. When perhaps 70 or
so snakes had entered the space curious COM
bination of purring, rafting sounds arose at
one side of the circle. A glance IN that direc-
tion disclosed five large snakes two rattle
snakes. a striped snake, and two black snakes
| Ivino stretched upon a log. The rattlesnakes
we're shaking their rattles violently, and each
! of the three rcm1ining reptiles had a frog in
| its mouth which it was torturing into croak-
| inc and making noises frog fashion, apparently
| for the amusement of the snakes in the ring
below. The rattles and the croaking frogs
made rude music, which furnished very fair
marching time to the squii n,ing mass of SER
pents, and our informant sa they kept very
fair time with the music, then heads all sway
ing in unison from one side to the other. The
gentleman was thunderstruck at the wonder
full sight, and could scarcely believe it was not
a dream. He said to us, "Of course you will
| think it an improbable, ridiculous story, as L
would if anyone told the same to me; but my
| own eyesight is the only evidence want Al
| ter watching the scene for perhaps quarter OF
| an hour, Mr.. Merton thought 1t would oa a
| much safer place out ON the road, and started
! to move in that direction No sooner mad he
| made a stir than the music ceased, and every
| serpent disappeared as if by magic. 1t was a
| scene Mr. Merton will probably remember to
| his diving day, and such one as no other man
| ever witnessed. We are not told what particu-
| lar brand of whiskey Mr.. Merton affects