The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-09-17
READS LIKE FICTION.
HOW A BLACK SNAKE WAS CHARMED.
che Queer Experience of a Musical Ohio
Boy Near Serpent's Den-Danc-
ing to Fife Music-A Tough
Story.
[Cedar Springs to.) Cor. N. Y. Sum-

[Cedar Springs O.) Cor. N. Y. Sum-
The experience of Thomas Denver,
ffteen-year-old boy Of this town, last
Saturday, with several huge black
snakes, verifies in most wonderful man.
ner the oft-repeated assertion that the
aerpent kingdom is susceptible to the
rhythm of music, especially If the notes be
shrill and piercing. The lads story
sounds like the work Of q romancer, but
so good is his reputation for truth, and so
perfecs in every detail is his story, that
its genuineness can not be doubted for
moment.
Last Saturday he went out with num-
ber OF his companions to swim in river
near his home. The best swimming place
In the river is certain deep pool, sur
rounded by huge, overhanging black
rocks, and, though somewhat gloomy, is
cherished by the boys, because the water
Is deep and cold in the most torrid summer
weather. Thomas is something. of a mu-
sician and is the Ter Of drum and fife
corps, organized as part of a local political
club. He always carries his hIe in his
pocket on all his excursions, and where
opportunity offers engages in few min
utes' practice while his companions are at
some other ursuit. When the boys were
through swimming last Saturday they
spent a few minutes lying at ease under
the shade of the big rocks on the margin
of the pool.
Young Denver picked up his fife and
carelessly played few tunes. Finally he
commenced to play a peculiar dance in
triple time The piece is in the minor key,
and executed in the higher register Of the
Aute or ii Q. The notes are exceedingly
shrill, and the rhythm of the piece pecu.
liarly marked and striking. The young
musician played the piece over several
times, when suddenly the exclamation OF
one of the party directed the attention Of
all present TO hole ut the foot Of one Of
the largest rocks. There, with glistening
eyes and flashing tongue, was the broad
blunt head of a big black snake. All the
boys uttered an exclamation of surprise at
the sight, and Denver Immediately stop
ped p.a ing, at which the snake shot back
in The hole. The boys thought nothing
more u. l., and the music was continued.
The snake aga,n made it's appearance, aud
aga.n t.e music stopped. The snake shot
back again. When this performance had
continued several times II dawned on the
boys that mere was some connection be.
tween the snakes appearance and the
music.
they then armed themselves with clubs
and Denver continued the peculiar music.
The snake re-appeared, and, as the music
continued, slowly drew itself out Of its
hole toward the filer | was soon fol-
lowed by another huge black snake fully
seven feet in length. The first impulse Of
the boys was to run, but finally, being
well armed and noticing q peculiar ap.
pearance about the snakes, they con.
cluded TO brave the situation out. When
tho suakes had reached open ground they
manner. They lifted their heads high
above the ground, and swayed them TO and
fro 20 every accent of the music. They
seemed 10 be drunk with the sound. Their
eyes were glazed, and they only moved
their tongues in the most languid manner.
They would notice nothing but the music.
Threaleni motions toward their heads
with the clubs produced no effect. One
Of tire party p n he'd the tail OF one Of the
snakes wi.ii a D 10, but IL had no effect.
They rema .Ee perfectly mo.ionless, with
the excepl.ol oi u slight swaying motion
OF the b b, TO ping time TO the rhythm Of
the muse.
Tue boys were amazed, and suddenly the
music was stopped to see wnat the effect
would he. III AN instant the snakes were
themselves a. ain. Tneir eyes became
brilliant, their ongues shot out with rapid
vibrations, aud lh y snapped vigorously
at poles pu near their heads. They were
wriggling back to their holes when Denver
struck up the mirror dance again. It acted
like a charm. The reptiles stopped and
irresolltelv turned their heads toward the
music, swaying from side 10 side as they
In moment or two they were
Joined by several other snakes which
Glided out Of holes in neighboring rock.
Soon all the serpents were completely un.
der the influence Of the music, and threat.
eniUg passes within Jew inches Of their
eyes produced no perceptible effect. One
of the boys was even bold enough to tramp
on tue tail o, the largest snake. The crea.
ture seemed paralyzed, and made no at.
tempt at resistance.
After holding the serpents for some time
they were all killed by the boys, without
making the least resistance. This story is
vouched for by the entire party OF boys
who accompanied Denver.