New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-24
PLAYING WITH DANGEROUS SNAKES.

KEEPER SHOWS HOW HE MANAGES HIS PETS
There is little shop in street on the East Side
where from the floor 10 the ceiling tho walls are
hiddsn b. small Cages Within the room there Is an
endless chatterfng Of monkeys the shr cries OF all
Kinds Of birds tho whine Of foriorn looking dogs and
the carpgng sereech OF guinea hons. In one end Of
the room are Piled several fat boxes. each covered
with blanket In these are snakes Of many sorts.
from the venomous copperhead to tho monstrous boa
constructor. A reporter who was passing the place
tho other day dropped in to take look at the shop
Keepers interesting collection. Tho doalor ex-
tromely good natured and explained IN detail all the
points that he could think Of about his stock In trade.
mat part Of his collection IN which no took most
pride the snakes He could not find praise enough
for hts beauties" he called them. Raising the
I'D Of each box he pointed out the characteristics Of
HIS dangerous pets. Tho spots OF this one made him
unusually valuable and the rings stripes and tails Of
Others showed that they were not common, everyday
snakes. With evident pride he would dwell upon the
fight no had had % capture ugly ratier' the age
OF another and affection Of stn another. But he
particularly fond Of copperhead snake which no
ofersd TO take from HIS box.
HIS manner Of approaching his pot was somewhat
novel, Wrapping q heavy piece Of canvas about his
hand he thrust his arm under the partly raised cover
and began to thrRsh about In furious manner. Ho
would give the snake half dozon sudden heavy blows
and then clutch at him. all tho who crying out be-
tween his teeth Down there, you rascal. be still
thorc, now rve got you.s He explained between his
cries that he trying 10 get hold OF the snakes neck
Finally no drew forth HIS arm, and there, writing
IN his grasp, was the long lank body Of the snaae
lie held II up by the neck and deity loosened tho
canvas allowing 1t TO fall 70 the floor. With his
naked Fingers closed tightly about the snakes throat
he turned around and held II high in tho air In glee.
THO snakn's eyes wero flashing wiokedly tho blood
a. nA tn,,y with ~
lightning. while tho plant body now became rigid
and now twined itself about tho mans arm until II
worked itself down 10 the wrist, where Il closed In
like rubber band, causing the veins in the keepers
arm TO bulge forth swollen and dark All tho while
the man only laughed It's vicious struggles, swapping
u out lso whip when loOsoued Its hold, and again
GhAkins 4 roughly. AZ longth no threw tho copper
head hesyily into the box, suddenly slamming down
the eoWr
"Tha, feEow,p he said, "ls the wlclndest, most
usy-sssrpered snake I ever owned He Is always
ready to light whlls holding the cOpporhead he
had opened the snakes mouth and showed two wcked-
looking teeth. "This snale,' no added is the ono
which BIT young fellow In here. The boy
took the cover OF tho box and hlrted
snake struck at him. Tho snakes fa1gs took hold Of
almost to death The boy was lucky ever TO get
WE'LL 4. .o,... ,,v
hero Is one as different from the copperhead as can
be. You sec he would not night anyway, and rs
pulled out p0nderous boa constructor and dropped
him heavily 10 tho floor. Look az him. he said
giving him lively kick, he doesn't mind It bit;
lame as q htten.'
He then pushed tho heavy body all over the floor,
Iostng n and shaking 10 up The great head roso
up at times, but the paid no attention 10 this
Now he said, watch me make him mad no does
not like to be dragged backward" He seized tho
boa's tail and began pulling him arouna the room:
AZ this tho boa raised bis head threateningly and
sauirned around at lively rate lie certainly looked
AZ II he might do some mischief, and the reporter
edged toward tho door.
Oh, no couldn't hnrt you the Keeper SAID re-
boa rsiScd HIS head again With fierce glitter in his
eye the reporter hastily thanked the man for bis KIND
ness and made for the street