Democratic messenger., 1889-10-05
MISSED BY A RATHER.
An incident Recalled by Dr. Conkiin. of
the Park sicnagerio.

the Park Mcnageric.
II would rather almost treat any
sick animal in tho world than sick
snake" said DIR. Conklin OF tho Cen.
tral Park mcnagcric TO reporter tho
other day. Not that ] mind handling
snake particularly. but on account OF
the accidents that are likely TO hap
pen.
"a few years ago." continued tho
doctor, II had an experience in treat.
ing sick boa constructor that will last
me until the end Of my life. We had
at that time big cage Of boa con.
strictors aud several poisonous snakes
rs well in the lion house. Very often
q snakes mouth becomes sore. and il
is necessary to rub medicines between
its jaws to save its life. prepared
some medicine and went into tho
house one night with new attendant
we had just hired. This young mans
name was Joe, and he had boon a
snake performer with travelling
menagcric. The sides Of tho cage
were Of glass. rs they arc now,
and inside were about forty
snakes VI all kinds There were
dozen big constructors, n python or
two. and II score Of rattlers, moccasins
and coppcrlicatls. AS Joe began rat.
Ting the door Of the cage tho inmates
woke up, and when they saw the light
they were ready for fight. The sick
snake lay at the other end Of the cage.
The usual way in such cases is TO
head and drag him 10 the cage door.
Then his head is drawn out and cover
cd with meal bag or piece OF carpet.
After that il is easy enough TO catch
him back Of tho head. press open his
jaws and rub in the medicine. This
was done up To the point where his
head should have been drawn out
through the door. The rattlcrs and
other small snakes were twisted to-
gether in squirining tangle in tho
upper end Of the cage, and the sick
constructor was thrcshing his big tail
about like n dying whale.
"'rll 20 inside, Mr.. Conklin. said
Joe. and give il Ia him there. Iaint
afraid Of any snake that ever crawled.'
Before could stop him he sprang
into the cage ami grabbed s.c con
strictor back Of the head. opening his
mouth yard wide. il seemed to me.
Then he took the bottle in his left
hand and proceeded TO rub the sore
spots. OF course hc was busy watch,
ing his patient and didn't have eyes
for anything else. But il was differ
cnt with me. ! saw one Of the biggest
rattlcrs coilcd for Il spring. II he bit
Joe il would bc certain death, and in.
side Of fraction uf II second the blow
would be- struck. My blood seemed
To turn into ice water. My head swan
round and round. and my heart stop
ped beating. | would have called out,
but my tongue WAS hot, dry and stuck
to the roof Of my mouth. finally
manage 10 spring toward the door
Al that instant the Elttlcsnake dartcd
his head forward with vicious
spring, landing between Joc's fingers
At the same instant Joe dropped tho
constructors head and sprang from
the cage TO the ground.
"'Suck your hand, quick. shouted,
and here's some whisky. Don't waste
"a minute. man. Time is precious
Whats the maticrt" he asked. as
though surprised at my conduct.
'Maticrcnougli You're bitten by
IA RATHER
mo, quite rs bad as that he said,
with II little laugh. 1t hit the bottle
in my hand, I'm not touched. That's
nothing. didn't think you saw it.
I'm not coward by nature" con-
,inucd the doctor as hc reached for
his hat, but | felt us weak as baby
when Joe stopped talking. and tho
next man who expects TO go into a
nttlcsnakc cage with my consent
must chloroform me first. New York
Sun