The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-03-08
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
q COBRA.
The Deadly Serpent "A Horrible Dream
That Is a Reality.

1naL Is a healty,
Somewhere we three, my husband,
my brother and myself moved in field
that yet was narrow and close as some
carefully constructed dwelling. knew
or felt that any evil within that field
was as foe within a camp thing that
must Stay or be slain. Present escape
would not insure future safety.
Moving in that field that yet was
barred house, came upon large snake
lying between two low and sheltering
shocks of fragrant hay. After the first
recoil l put out my foot to crush its
head, then again recoiled as remem-
bered how frail and light were my san
dals and thought of the snakes size and
probably venomous character. My hus
band now stepped forward and lifted his
foot to kill the reptile in his usual man.
ner, with his heavy boot heel. 1t thrust
its head forward, close to the ground
now, jaws dilating and forked tongue
thrust forward with low Kisses.
But on the other side of the shocks
appeared my fair young brother, hold
ing up a warning hand as he knelt and
leaned forward with a confident smile.
We realized his intention with horror,
for he bent forward and grasped the
reptile just back of the neck with his
left hand. Ere his hand reached it,
with terrible shock there flashed
across my mind the conviction: SIT is
cobra" But now my brother stood erect
holding his writhing trophy, as one
proud of a victory gained.
Soon the snake ceased to struggle. yet
continuously thrust forward its forked
tongue.
HE will kill it," 1 thought. "But
hcw?"
So long as the youth held the snake
it was harmless, but if he cast it from
him its freedom and venom would be
fatal to himself and others. If he con-
tinued to hold it he was as truly pris-
oner as was the deadly serpent.
HE will dash it's body against a
tree" 1 thought. But no, one touch
OF the fangs, so near his hand, would be
fatal, and he dare not provoke it. 1t is
a COBRA"
But my brother, with his disengaged
hand, began to stroke the sleek head of
the serpent. Horror held me motion
less
1 had not feared the free serpent
much. We three were more than a
match for it as it lay coiled in its shady
nook; besides, its venomous character
was not fully realized until my brother
held it aloft in the light. Then who
could think that one of US would dream
of grasping the thing as my daring
brother had done!
He had heard of snake-charmers.
What others did, why could not he? 1
felt that my husbaAl knew the char
aeter of the serpent, but he stood smil-
ing, amused, perhaps, and not too watch
full. He overestimated my brothers
power. That high spirit aroused his adj
miration. l alone saw danger to my
brother.
sit is COBRA I said in low tone,
afraid of angering the serpent by loud
words; afraid l might too suddenly at
tract my brothers attention. 1 wanted
to scream, to cry out in an agony of
grief and fear. Yet l dared not. That
dear brothers safety depended on my
silence. To throw him for one instant
off his G lard was to give the serpent it's
watched-for opportunity. Its bite would
be fatal
Now the muscles of the reptile relax;
the head ceases to writhe. 1t is strange
ly quiet. My brother is pleased, proud
and confident. Its glittering eyes grow
steady, dreamy, even, but the forked
tongue yet moves swiftly
D,,4
like lightning memory asserts: SIT is a
cobra"
The youth is making passes with his
disengaged hand before the serpent's
ocen mouth.
sit is learning to love him, he is so
gentle" l muse. But reason thunders
to my quaking heart: SIT is a cobraw
Oh, be careful, my brother my dear
young brother! Your fingers almost
close upon those poisoned fangs Are
you mad? l think, but dare not speak.
To speak is to arouse the serpent to
more dangerous action. The hand
which holds the serpent grows less
firm. The right hand still moves be-
fore it's eyes. He thinks they are
friends. He thinks he has charmed, is
conquering the creature. How sweet
and kind and plying his glance! He
would not now kill it if he could. 1t is
dainty pet, graceful as kitten, and
my brother is fond of all poor, helpless
things.
But eternally to me the words are
sounded: sit is cobra" l must speak.
The fingers of that right hand are so
near the fearful fangs. my brother,
oh, my brother~
Too late. 1t is done. The fatal fangs
have touched the hand that would
caress that meant but gentleness to the
poison thing. 1t is cobra.
In my dream awake to say: "It was
but dream" then sweetly sleep till
morning dawns Now really awake.
l remember, l Cry: st is COBRA"
Alas, my brother loves the serpent. 1
know, feel, that still for him the hor-
rible dream is a reality, that still he
seeks to charm cobra.
The deadly creature is slumbering in
cups of amber cider, in foaming ale, in
sparkling wine, in golden CLEAN of
brandy. TITS a cobra.-Anna c. Wright,
in Union Signal.
BEER AND THE BODY.