The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-05

gliding slowly back and forth between them
rubbing against them and against the side
of the box.
burst at the neck and the snake in a new
skin, fresh aud bright in color, was working
out of the old one. 1t emerged by degrees
like grub from a chrysalis, and in few
hours was at liberty, and its eyes resumed
their cloarness. The reptile. apparently
greatly relieved, was lying beside its dis
carded cutcicle, which preserved much
Of the shape of its former wearer, and at a
hasty glance might be taken for another
snake.
On one September evening had gone &c
bed, and fallen asleep as usual. On the day
previous l had drawn from the bank con
siderable sum of money, which was then i'll
my room. | was awakened little after mid
night by some one stirring in the apart
ment, the door of which | had locked on
retiring. opened my eyes, but lay motion
less in order to verify my impressions with
out indicating that l was awake, for
thought | detected the muffied footballs OF
two persons; then some one cautiously
crossed the room and leaned over my bed
was surprised defenseless, and knowing il
to be no use to stir, lay still with CLOSED
eyes, feigning sleep, as the fash of dark
lantern was thrown full on my face. re
manned perfectly quiet, and breathed easily
and naturally. The man. after long look
was evidently satisfied of the genuineness
of my slumber. He still stayed by me, but
spoke in a whisper in thieves slang to his
companion.
Hes Ripping fast enough. Take the
darkey and go ahead, and I'll pipe him."
AS he spoke, felt him lay a heavy bal
convenient to his hand on the counterpane
| could hear the other moving about softly
lifting and searching my clothes, open
ing drawers, and by the light of a dark
lantern examining every part of the room.
Presently he turned and came back to the
other.
1--WE looked the room over and got the
trinkets, but can't find the leather with
the dust in. I'll try if there's anything un
der the pillow. If he moves, stop him."
felt hand stealing under my pillow, NOV
ing about stealthily, and my package OF
bank notes was presently found and with
drawn. could hear my gold repeater tick
ing from bag the burglar held in one hand
as he bent forward over me.
1--WE got the stuff" he whispered, "I'l
just take another look around the room
There's box here that looks like a jewel
case"
He moved across the room, and came
near the bcx which held the snake. Through
my half-closed eyes saw him cast down
the light from his lantern on the glass.
81 can't make it out, Bill There seems
to be something in the case. l can see the
sparks inside, but | can't find any lock
Had | best take the chances to bust her
openr
The man beside me took up the heavy bal
be had laid on the edge of the bed, and felt
him poise it over my head.
"Go ahead, he said. ''If he wakes, IL
put him to sleep.
l could hear the man lay the bag on the
floor, and then followed the quick cutting
sound of diamond passing over the glass
Then came two or three quick taps and the
fall of piece of glass into the box. The
rattle of the masSasauga was rustling dan
gerously Within and the sound quickened
as the man put his hand and arm in the
aperture he had made and felt about the
interior of the box Then something moved
quickly within, and the man started back
with a cry of pain and alarm, and pulled
out his arm with such force az TO throw
down the box Hebrew forth" with it the
massasauga fastened to his hand, which
he wrung in pain aud terror. The snake
dropped writing on the floor, coiled, anC
kept up his rattle, which had not stopped,
At the mans exclamation, the one at my
bedside demanded angrily:
whats the matter, you fool, yelling out
like that3 Do you want to raise the house
on us2"
Jim, I'm dead man. I'm snake bit
Look out for rattleSnakes. The floor is GOV
cred with them"
The snake was getting in his work with
his rattle in good shape and made the room
reSound. The man beside the bed got nerv
GUS The other with a moan or two Of
pain had CROPPED his way out of the ROOM
and his retreating steps could be heard or
the stairway. The man at my side muttereC
a curse.
He can't be such a fool as to have left
the swag. Anyway, I'm not going to hunt
for it in a room that's den of rattle
snakes"
The rattle reverberating sounded as
though the room was full of snakes. The
burglar could stand it no longer, but step
ping high and long as he crossed the room
precipitately followed his comrade down
the stairs, shutting all doors as he went
after him, as is the custom of burglars. As
the noise of their departure died away, the
snake quoted and l heard him no more that
night.
In the morning found the snake still
cooled up on the floor, and beside it lay the
bag dropped by the burglar, and which held
in fact ali the plumber of the household. On
account of the service he had done,
changed my plan for the destruction Of the
massasauga, and, having extracted hls
poison-gland, gave it to a public museum
which desired to add live rattlesnake to
its collection. When / last visited the mu
scum, year or so after the event. the
snake lay in apparent content in den
among a silent cotorie of his fellows. II
was wholly undemonstrative, and did not
give mo so much as a rattle of recognition
The burglars were never heard Of again by
me, and whether the wounded man lived OF
died remains unknown.
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