The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-03-12
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
A COBRA.
The Deadly Serpent - A Horrible Dream
That Is Reality.

carefully constructed dwelling. knew
or felt that any evil within that field
was as foe within 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 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 End 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 wfithing trophy, as one
proud of victory gained.
Soon the snake ceased to struggle. yet
continuously thrust forward its forked
tongue.
HE will kill it," / thought. But
howe"
So long as the youth held the snake
1t was harmless, but if he cast 1t 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 its body against a
tree" thought But no, one touch
of the fangs, so near his hand, would be
fatal, and he dare not provoke 1t. 1t is
a COBRA"
But my brother, with his disengaged
hand, began to stroke the sleek head of
the serpent. Horror held me notion
less
l 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 husband knew the char
acter 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 ad-
miration. l alone saw danger to my
brother.
SIT is COBRA" said in low tone,
afraid of angering the serpent by loud
words; afraid might too suddenly at
tract my brothers attention. / wanted
to scream, to cry out in an agony of
grief and fear. Yet dared not. That
dear brothers safety depended on my
silence. To throw him for one instant
off his guard was to give the serpent its
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.
He will conquer it," reason. But
like lightning memory asserts: ut is q
cobra"
The youth is making passes with hi,
disengaged hand before the serpent's
open mouth.
at is learning to love him, he is Sc
gentle" muse. But reason thunder.
to my quaking heart: at is cobra"
Oh, be careful, my brother, my dear
young brother! Your fingers almos
close upon those poisoned fangs. Are
you mad? think, but dare not speak
To speak is to arouse the serpent tt
more dangerous action. The hant
which holds the serpent grows les.
firm. The right hand still moves be
fore its eyes. He thinks they ar,
friends. He thinks he has charmed, il
conquering the creature. How swee
and kind and plying his glance! H,
would not now kill it if he could. 1t il
a dainty pet, graceful as kitten, ant
my brother is fond of all poor, helpless
things.
But eternally to me the words ar,
sounded: ut is cobra" must speak
The fingers of that right hand are S,
near the fearful fangs. my brother
oh, my brother.
Too late. 1t is done. The fatal fang
have touched the hand that woul,
caress, tina. meant but gentleness to tn
poison thing. 1t is cobra.
In my dream l awake to say: ut wa
but dream" then sweetly sleep til
morning dawns. Now l really awake
/ remember, I cry: st is a COBRA
Alas, my brother loves the serpent.
know, l feel, that still for him the hor
rible dream is reality, that still h
seeks 10 charm cobra.
The deadly creature is slumbering il
cups of amber cider, in foaming ale, il
sparkling wine, in golden CLEAN o
brandy. II is a cobrd.-Anna c. Wright
in Union Signal.
BEER AND THE BODY.
Testimony as to the Relative Resistin
Powers of Beer Drinkers and Temper
ance Men.