National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-08-09
A cHARmER OF sERrENrs.
She Gives Her Views ON tho Business
Hut Prefers nTrtrimony.


Tonight I appear for the last timo; for
the last time shall be known IS the
snake chsrmer."
So said tho Hindoo snake charmer TO q
Globe reporter few days ago at one Of the
dime museums.
what profession do you intend to take
up2" inquired tho reporter.
"Nono. have just got married. and
since tho man In New York museum
died from the effects Of being bitten by
snake, my husband insists that shall
give up the business"
How long have you been in IL
"Ten years. first visited this country
In 1874, being engaged with Barnum, ap-
pearing in Che ring handling snakes in
what was known as the "snske den." l
was with him several seasons, and since
then have been at museums In various
parts of the country. Not long ago met
al elderly gentleman, became engaged to
him, and we were married"
"Were you over bitten by snakop
Several times. Here on my right
hand 10 where python bit mo year and
| half ago. On u hot day like this you
see the hand is black and purple. hsvo
been bitten by boa constructors quito
often. Tho bite Of tho python and boa
constructor causes swelling and much
pain. but never results in death.
"In handling snakes you must lot them
see that you are not afraid of them. Never
take them by tho head, as IL angers them,
but clasp your hands about the center Of
their body. Now, these boa constructors
in this case are in bad condition to
handle. Their mouths are full Of canker.
and, as you SEQ, have shut ono of from
the rest. His mouth 10 completely filed
with capker, and IL 1 was to handle him
ho would crush me to death. The lady
who was here before / came did not un-
derstand the business, hence the canker.
1t is partly caused by tho neglect of baths,
Snakes should DO placed in water sew
eral times each week. The canker
starts in their stomachs and works up
into their mouths. There 10 not much
can do for them. keep their mouths as
clear as possible by using such remedies
rs We apply whom troubled with canker
ourselves. To give tho medicine l take
them by the under jaw and gag them
by choking. Having gagged them place
the compound in their months, and, as
the saying is, the deed Is DONE"
whats the average price Of snakos2'
"You cannot get good one for less
than 800. One must understand the
business to buy, 9s snake that may look
all right Is liable to be nearly dead.
Canker prevails among them to great
extent and you must examine their
mouths to sec that 1t has not eaten into
them so they will die"
How long do snakes live when they
are handled every day, as you handle
theseN
Between three and six months, but as
nj Id t,nN
months. 1t does not agree with them to
be handled. The largest one here was
an old fellow when caught, and q savage
one, too. Do you see the punches on his
back2 We'll, they are buck shot Let
mo take your hand and put 1t on his
back, so you can satisfy yourself"
The reporter mustered up his courage
and satisfied himself that the snakes back
was full Of buck shot.
eve feed them once month, giving
them three pigeons" continued the
chsrmer. Sometimes they will not eat
moro than two. 1t takes two weeks for
them to digest their food"
to handler?
1.-THE pythons, for they are far better
some that l really love them. Why. lei
the sun strike them and their skins shine
like diamonds"
II should think the snakes would b'
heavy for you to handle"
They are, and II there is anything thu
makes mo glad to get out of the bushes
it is that. After handling them / an
always faint. Snake charming is gift
and for any one to attempt IL that has no
got the gift is to covet death. Ny fsthe
and mother before me were snake charm
ers." -,ra -Brt rr..