Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-24
CuriOus Paragraphs.

one OF the largest and most venomous
sprpcnts in large museum died the other
day. II was decided to dispose OF II after
the manner OF the Parsee snake-charmers.
The snake woman dressed and cooked
portion OF it and the whole party OF show
people partook OF the strange dish. Three
hours aiterward the whole OF them were
sick and suffering great pain. Powerful
emetics alone saved them.
A powerful green wine is used by the
peasantry OF Portugal which is an excel
lent restorative aud absolutely harmless.
The laborers-and they work from morn
ing to night-are allowed about an imperial
quart Of this wine daily by the farmers.
and when exhausted by labor and the heat
OF the sun, they take pull at the wine
bottle. and begin work again like giant
refreshed. The wine is rough and strong,
but very cheap. Nowhere is there so little
drunkenness as In Portugal.
An Interesting case recently tried in Lon
don showed that the price OF " NJ. P.'s y As
directors OF cab companies, and other
schemes. Is lowering because OF the greater
compettiOn that now exists. The case in
question was an action brought against the
promoters OF certain company to recover
commission said to be due for securing in
lIuential directors; and 1t appeared from
the testimony that whereas the price paid
a man already a railroad director was
5000. that for a plain NJ. L. was only
900.
Switzerland Is the only country on the
continent which now holds out attractions
TO the cholera-scared European tourist.
lUnlke the hotel-keepers at other resorts
| on the other side. the Swiss landlords are
at present engaged in rellting the frightful
Irayagcs Of the disease at all places except
| IN the beautiful country OF the Alps. No
| Epidemic has ever settled its wretched
| grasp on any spot in Switzerland, and
| wen smallpox is unknown there. The
| act is no fever can exist In the pnre air that
| lescends from all sides OF the mountains.
English officers in India do not conceal
fhe fact that their uniform Is not always q
safeguard. Recently Lieutenant Dupuis,
while making his way back from Mount
Zargun, was Oyertaken by band OF las-
nawaZai Pathans, who first hustled him,
then, whilst crossing a narrow bridge over
nulla. at the bottom OF which there j.
flowing water, pushed him off the plank
and pelted him to death with stones.
During the searches made by the troops the
bbul was nIHl IihN'u U'iNAth Aut hAltls
then removed and buried on low hill
above the Han pass.
The old custom OF bOttling tears is still
continued in Persia. 1t must be very old.
as 1t is alluded 10 in the Psalms OF David.
As the mourners are sitting around and
weeping the master OF ceremonies presents
each once with piece Of cottonwood, with
which he wipes off his tears. This cot on
j. afterwards squeezed into a bottle, and
the tears are preserved as a powerful and
efiicaclous remedy for reyiving n dying
man after every other means have failed.
1t Is also employed as q charm against evil
influences. The practice was once univer-
sal. as il evidenced by the tear-bOttleS
which are found in almost every ancient
tomb.
There ore still some old settlers about
Swansea, Y. H., who believe in witches.
There was a recent case where milking OF
a family would sour Immediately on being
brought into the house. This being re-
pclted at every milking for a considerable
time. way was suggested 10 the farmer tO
put stop to it. Accordingly, the next
milking be brought in, bright fire was
burning in the fireplace. and he dashed
the whole milking behind the back log.
There was no further trouble with the
milk but an old bag in the neighborhoOd,
who had been regarded by the nejghbors
as q witch, was noticed TO have a very sore
mouth about that time.