Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-04-11

4 Ksspes SHOW. nov q siaaosss m

Dangerous rota.
Ihore Is n little shop IN a street on
the East Side whore from the aoor TO
the ceiling the walls ere hidden by
small cages. Within the room there is
An endless chattering Of monkeys. the
shrill cries OF all kinds OF birds, the
whine Of forlprn-loolxing dogs and the
carping screech OF guinea hens. In
one end OF the room arr p ID several
flat boxes, each coverc, Oh blank
et In these are snakes many sorts.
from the venomous copperhead 10 tre
monstrous bon constructor. A reporter
who was passing the place the
other day dropped In TO take a
look at the shopkeepcr's interesting
collection. The dealer was extremely
good-natured, and explained IN detail
all the points that he could think
OF about his stock in trade.
That part Of his collection in which
he took most pride was the snakes.
He could not find praise enough for
his "beauties," as he called them.
Raising the lid OF each box be pointed
out the characteristics Of lis dHnger-
Gus pets. The spots OF this one made
him unusually valuable, and tho rings,
stripes and tails OF others showed that
they wero not common, everyday
snakes. With evident pride he would
dwell upon the fight he had had to
capture an ugly ''rattlor,m the age OF
another and the affection OF still an
other. But he was particularly fond
Of copperhead snake which he offered
to take from his hoS.
His manner Of approaching his pet
was somewhat novel. Wrapping a
heavy piece OF canvas about his hand,
he thrust his arm under the partly
raised cover and began to thrash
about in furious manner. He would
give the snake half dozen sudden
heavy blows and then clutch at him,
all the while crying out between his
teeth; Down there. you rascal, be
still there, now I've got yod.n He
explained between his cries that he
was trying TO get hold OF the snakes
neck Finally he drew forth his arm,
and there, writhing in his grasp. was
the long lank body OF the snake He
held it up by The neck ard deftly
loosened the canvas, allowing IL 10 fall
TO the floor. With his naked fingers
closed tightly about the snakes throat
he turned around and held Il high in
the air In glee. The snakes eyes were
flashing wickedlyj the blood-red forked
tongue, tipped with black, darted out
like lightning, while the plant body
now became rigid and now twined
itself about the mans arm until It
worked itself down to the wrist, whore
IL closed in like a rubber band, causing
the veins In the keepers arm to bulge
forth swollen and dark. All the while
the man only laughed at its Vicious
struggles, swapping it ont like whip
when il loosened its hold. and again
shaking IL roughly. At length he
threw the copperhead heavily into the
box, suddenly slamming down the
cover.
THAT fellow" he said, sis the wick
st. most ugly-tempered snake ever
owned. He is always ready to fight"
While holding the copp' head he had
opened the snakes mouth and showed
two wicked-looking teeth. This
snake" he added, "is the one which bit
n young fellow in here The boy took
the cover off the box and hirted a
handkerchief at the copperhead.
told him TO mind what he was doing.
but he kept on until the snake struck
at him. The shakes fangs took hold
OF the boys hand and he clung there
until we beat him almost TO death.
The boy was lucky ever to get we'll"
''Now," said the keeper going TO
another box, ''here is one as different
from the copperhead as can be. You
SEQ he would not fight any way" and
he pulled out a ponderous boa con-
strictor and dropped him heavily to
the floor. Look at him." ne said,
giving him a lively Kick, ''he doesn't
mind II a bit,-ta as a kitten"
Hc Then pushed the heavy body all
'oyer the floor, jostling it and shaking
l. up. The great head rose up at
times, but the man paid no attention
to this. "Now,n he said. watch me
make him mad; he docs not like to be
dragged backward" He seized the
boa's tail aud began pulling him
around the room. At this the boa
raised his head threateningly and
squirmed around at a lively rate He
certainly looked as II he might do
some mischief, and the reporter edged
toward the door.
"Oh. he couldn't hurt YOU" the
keeper reassuringly, che doesn't bite
you know" But as the boa raised his
head again with fierce glitter In his
eye, the reporter hastily thanked the
man for his kindness and made for the