The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-08-31
CHARMING A BLACK SNAKE
Queer Ex perience Of u Musical Ohio BOY Near
Serpents' Den-Dnncins 10 Fife Music.

Quecr Experience OF Musieal OHIO Boy Near
. serpents' Den-Daneins TO FIFE Music.
CEDAR SPRINGS, O., Aug. 23.-The expert
ence OF Thomas Denver. fifteen year old boy
OF this town. last Saturday. with several huge
black snakes. verifes in q most wonderful
manner the oft-repeated assertion that the
serpent kingdom Is susceptible to the rhythm
OF music. especially II the notes be shrill and
piercing. The lads story sounds like the work
OF u romancer. but so good il his reputation
for truth. and so perfect In every detail is his
story. that Its genuineness cannot be doubted
for q moment.
Last Saturday he went out with number OF
his companions to swim In q river near his
home. The best swimming place in the river
IL certain deep pool. surrounded by huge.
overnanginR black rocks. and. though some
what gloomy is cherished by tho boys be-
cause the water is deep and cold In the most
torrid summer weather. Thomas 10 some.
thing OF a musician and IL the ilfer Of drum and
club. Hs always carries his lie in lis pocEst
on all his excursions. and where opportunity
Ssfs engages IN lew mute practice while
When the boys were through swimming last
Saturday they I spent 2 few . minutes lying at
Young Denver picked up HE ffe and care
@ 70 play Secular %es dance n srips %e
The piece is in the minor key! and executed in
the higher register Of the flute or hie: The
the pasco is peculiarly marked and striking.
Tho young musician played the piece over
OF one OF the party directed the attention Of all
present to hole at the foot OF one OF the
nrEest rocks There Win gstsnng ard az
big black snake. All the boys uttered an ex-
camation OF surprise at the sight. and Denver
smaGs sSos ast n
nothing moro OF 1t. and the music was con-
tinped. Tho snake again made M it appearance:
back again. When this performance had con-
tinued several times II dawped on the boys that
there was some connection between the snakes
appearance and the music.
They then armed ,hsmssyss with clubs And
snake resppeared. and. as tho music continued.
slowly drew itself out OF its hole toward the
lfsr; It was soon followed BY another , huge
first impulse Of the boys was to run. but finally.
being well armed and noticing peculiar APP
the os hs SsG
reached open ground they commenced TO act In
s ssa ss sSa,s M .ns !ns sa Them s
to ami fro to every accent of tho music. They
seemed to DO drunk, with the sound. Their
tongues In tho most languid manner. They
would notice nothing put tho music. tn, Threat,
subs prodneed no sfisct One Of the ' party
plnched the tail OF one OF the snakes with d
pole. but 1t had no enect. They RENAL per-
fectIy motionless. with the exception OF a
slight swaying motion Of the head. keeping
time to the rhythm OF the music.
The boys were amazed. and suddenly the
music was stopped to see what the effect would
be. In an instant the snakes were themselves
tongues shot out with rapid vibrations. and
they snapped vigorously At poles put near their
heads. They were wriggling back to their
holes when Denver struck. up the mirror dance
again. 1t acted like a charm. The reptiles
stopped and irrssolutely turned their heads
toward the music, swaying from side to
aide A.. ss thsy advanced In a moment or
snakes which glided out OF hoes in neighbor-
ing rock. Soon all the serpents were complete.
ly under the influence OF the music and
threatening passes within q few inches OF their
eyes produced no perceptible effect One. OF the
boys was even bold enough to tramp on the tail
OF tho largest snake. The creature seemed
paralyzed. and made no attempt at resistance.
After holding the serpents for some time
they were all Killed BY the boys without max.
ing tho least resistance. This story 10 youched
Tor by the entire party Of boys who aocompa-
MED Denver.