Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-15
A Duet Between Reptiles
SoUTHERNERs WATCH A BLACK SNAKE
WHIP A RATHER

1t was a warm dav in Augustat the Rock
Bridge Alum Springs in old Virginia. and
there were 900 visitors sitting around the
hotel and cottages killing time until the
sun went down behind Rattlnsnake Noun
tain. Among the noted guests of Land
| lord Frazier were Professor Jackson. af-
terward known As "Stonewall;" Honest
John Letcher. Governor of the State !;
Congressman John Kerr of North Carroll
ma and Professor Mitchell, whose name is
given to the highest mountain in the cid
north State where he met his tragic erd
Hosstetter. the professional hunter was
anchored under the shade of silver ma
pie on the incorporating lawn and around
him were n number of children and their
colored nurses, magnetized. aS it were. by
a rattlesnake with thirteen buttons which
the hunter had in a glass box covered
with drapery Every now and then the
voice of Ilosstetter could be heard in the
stiffness singing out, Here is the great
est curiosity on yearlh--a boss snake with
thirteen buttonS-and the whole show can
be seen for nine pence
MANY children and colored people
awaited themselves of the opportunity to
look on the greatest CURIOSITY" and old
York shillings. which in Virginia were
called "ninepences," poured into Hoss
letters pockets. He was getting rich
fast. when a circumstance occurred that
broke up his speculation-tor a time at
least.
Charley Nitchell.a son of the professor.
aud Charley Hunt of Richmond. had
walked across the little rustic bridge that
spanned Alum creek. where, in front of
the billiard room. summing himself near
the waters edge lay stretched out to his
full Length a mammoth black snake. Mitchs
ellis pistol came out quickly from his hip
pocket, and he was in the act of making a
target of the peaceable king OF all snakes,
when Hunt called a halt,saylng: Virgin
ians never kill black snake"
"All reptiles should be sent where the
woodbine twineth, and who not this onep"
asked Mitchell in an impatient wav.
because" answered Hunt IN his mild
est tone of voice, "wherever the black
snake makes his home no other varmints
of like species exist, for he either kills or
drives them out of existence ~
You don't mean to say that your pet
snake can whip one carrying rattles on
his tail?" said Mitchell
Hunt laughed heartily at the younger
mans lack OF knowledge in regard to
snakes. and said: "Rattlesnakes may be
kings in North Carolina and further south,
but that lad lying there is boss in these
mountains. and. in fact, all over this COM
monwealth."
That may he your opinion, but I'll back
mine with 500 that he cannot lick any
rattlesnake alive" said Mitchell.
an go You just once" quickly re-
sponded Hunt.
BY this time large crowd had assem-
bled while on their way to the bowling
alley to take their daily exercise and the
usual rations of mint iuleps. and among
them was Honest" John Letcher. into
whose hands the money was placed. to be
given by him to the hacker OF the winning
snake after the fight was ended.
The black snake Law basking in the sun
regardless of the discussion he caused
He seemed perfectly at ease, not caring a
continental for the superior intelligence
that stood off at safe distance. and as
none OF the celebrities present cared about
getting close enough to his snakeship to
disturb him, a truce existed for the time
being. The black snake being on hand,
ready for anything that turned up. the