Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-04-03
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
q COBRA.
The Deadly Serpent : A Horrible Dream
That Is a Reality.

OF felt that any evil within that held
was as foe within camp. thing that
must slay or be slain. Present escape
would not insure future safety.
Moving in that field that yet was
barred house, came upon large snake
living between two low and shelterlng
shocks of fragrant hay. After the first
recoil / put out nay foot to crush its
head, then again recoiled as l remem-
bered how frail and light were my san
dals and thought Of the snakes size ana
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, laws 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 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 1t,
with a terrible shock there flashed
across my mind the conviction: ut is
cobra" But now my brother stood erect
holding his whiting 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
it was harmless, but II he cast it from
him its freedom and venom would be
fatal to himself and others. IL 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
cobra"
| But my brother, with his disengaged
| hand, began to stroke the sleek head OF
the serpent Horror held me notion
| less.
| | 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 hep
felt that my husbaHd 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 adj
miration. l alone saw danger to my
| brother.
at is a 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 o.
grief and fear. Yet / dared not Thai
dear brothers safety depended on my
| silence. To throw him for one instant
off his gard was to give the serpent it,
watched for opportunity. Its bite woulC
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 forkeC
tongue yet moves swiftly.
HE will conquer it," reason. Blu
like lightning memory asserts: at is
cobra"
The youth is making passes with hi
disengaged hand before the serpent
open mouth.
at is learning to love him, he is s.
GENTLE" muse. But reason thunder
to my quaking heart: st is cobraw
Oh, be careful, my brother, my dea
young brotherl Your fingers almos
close upon those poisoned fangs Ar
you mad? | think, but dare not speak
To speak is to arouse the serpent T.
more dangerous action. The ham
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, i
conquering the creature. How swee
and kind and pitying his glancel H
would not now kill it If he could. 1t j
dainty pet, graceful as kitten, an,
my brother is fond of all poor, helples
things.
But eternally to me the words ar
sounded: ut is cobra" | must speak
The fingers of that right hand are $
near the fearful fangs. MY brother
oh, my brotherl"
Too late 1t is done. The fatal fang
have touched the hand that woul
caress. that meant but gentleness to tn
poison thing. 1t is cobra.
In my dream / awake to say: ''It wa
but dream" then sweetly sleep til
morning dawns. Now l really awake
l remember, cry: 1T is cobra.
Alas, my brother loves the serpent.
know, feel, that still for him the hoi
rible dream is reality, that still b
seeks to charm cobra
The deadly creature is slumbering /
cups of amber cider, in foaming ale,
sparkling wine, in golden CLEAN {
brandy. II is co6ra.-Anna c. Wrigh
!. in Union Signal.
3 REEP AND TIE ROnX