The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-05-21
AN ESCAPED BOA.

Mrs. Peak had always had a ''holy
horror" as she termed it, of a circus
But when the immense posters of Awl-
paws's "Combination Menagerle and Cir
Gus" were spread out upon the two sides
of her husbands blacksmith shop, their
wonderful attractions proved overwhelm-
ing.
Not only did the school children
linger to pore over them at the expense of
their studie,, but the older people of the
village made the spot where the highly
colored announcement was Displayed q
gathering place. At last Slrs. Peak her
self felt obliged to look into the matter.
The result~was that, as the time for the
-SAew drew near, she broached the sub
ect to her husband.
"'Zekl, she insinuatingly remarked,
'pears to me most all the animals in
creation air goin' to be there. must say
wouldn't mind seein' on 'em fer once in
nv life myself"
"Deac'n Pusley's goin' to take his
gran 'chil'ren," Mr.. Peak briefly replied.
"Lah, now! you don't say so2 Well,
t any rate, a body don't haf to look on
!er' the Objectionable doins. What do
you think, 'Zek', bout US goin'2"
81 aint doin' much thinkin'," he
warily answered, "but if you've got it
into your cran'um to go, it's more'n
likely we're goin'."
"Well, if the rest 60, I don't see
what's to hinder us. can borrer Polly
Meekums chil'ren, if chil'ren's what's
necessary. know they'd like to see 'em,
too, an heerd Elder Phinney say jest
Yesterday such a election was reelly an
sddication. I know myself I'd never "a
kuowed them jumpin' creeturs keeried
their young-uns round with 'em in their
pockets if I hadn't seen it with my own
eyes when Twas gal. I'm gittin' old,
an I'd reelly like to see one of them
'<ricters-boas-things they say wrop
folks up in their tails an squash 'em to
death fore they swaller en-"
Cant say my taste runs that way"
observed Mr.. Peak. 'Id ruther see that
four-headed calf than hull passel O.
snakes. That's somethin' GURUS"
TLey went to the circus, or rather to
the menagerie, for Mrs. Peak con-
scientiously refrained from patronizing
the other portion of the exhibition, and
insisted rigidly upon spending her whole
time about the cages and enclosures
where the animals were kept, though her
husband was allowed to visit the side
show which held the four-headed calf.
Mrs. Peak had her great desire graft
Sed-shc saw the "'stricters."
But she did not foresee what was to
follow, or probably she would not have
gazed so long upon their huge folds.
The keeper thlex into the cage live
rabbit, and she saw the poor creature
crushed and swallowed.
The horrid sight was more than she
had bargained for. Her heart was
touched, and her conscience as well, and
she Immediately refused to let Polly's
children remain longer; so Mr.. Peak was
sought for, and they set out for home
long before their neighbors had left the
fascinating precinct.
II didn't keer for the rest, nohow, s
long s I'd seen thet calf" Mr.. Peak au-
nounced, as he cheerlully joined his wife,
Gan hev my s'plcions of thet-the
thing didn't LOOK one mite nat'ral."
"Id "a liked it all 'cept thet last.
can't git it outen my head. It's spilled
it all, she answered, as they rode home
~srd.
1t certainly had spoiledit, for her state
of mind grew amazingly, and that night
she had visions innumerable, much to
Mr.. Peaks discomfort. The next morn
ing she arose burdened with remorse,
though her husband endeavored to allay
it with bit of philosophy.
IL don't see nary use Of your takin'
thet critters doin's on yourself, s long S
you amt done nothin'."
''But I hev! 1 hadn't orter stirred one
solitary step to thet circus if the hull
church d went" she groaned.
That afternoon she was convinced of
it when her husband brought in hand
bill which had been left in his shop, and
which contained the following announce
ment:
AN ESCAPED BOA.
Through the carelesnass of one of the keep
erS, snake Of the boa species has escaped.
A liberal reward will be paid to any one no.
tifying the management of its whereabouts.
II might "a known it," calculated
Mrs. Peak :'There won't be duck ner
49,
I'm goin' right now an see to thet old
blue hen thet's jest come of. These furs
need airin' awhile longer, anyhow" "
She dropped the tobacco stems she was
sorting out to pack the furs away in. ~
wouldn't be one speck s'prised if we
had visitation from it this very night"
"'Tain't likely it'll travel mile jest
to see u.s. dryly returned her husband.
"You can't tell what thet thing II do.
Anything thet'll gulp down hull live
rabbit at one swaller'll do most anything.
Expect somethin, to happen fer goln' to
thet circus, an sha'nt rest till tibet
critters shet up gin"
"Now, Nancy, don't git sot on thet,
fer you won't be easy till thcr' does" he
said, as he went back to the forge, and
resumed discussion with the shoemaker
upon the function Of the camels hump.
"ZekI, did you put up the calf?'
Mrs. Peak shook her snoring husband
that night to ask the question. There
was no answer. "Anyway them chick
ems air SAFE" she remarked to herself,
abandoning the attempt to waken him.