Sharp County record., 1890-04-03
FATlMA'S HISTORY.
The Romantic Career of Pretty Female
Snake Charmer.


Snake Charmer.
1t is often the subject OF remark, the
queer occupations some people pursue
for a livlihood. An unusual method has
been adopted by a bright, black-eyed
young lady known as "Fatima, the East
India snake charmer" whose early as
sociation, connected with later mlstort
unes, have been the means of placing
her in an independent position.
"Fatima" is the daughter of gentle
man who was once prominent in the
East India Company. He was assigned
to an important station in the interior
of India, where she was born, There
were but few white people in the vi
cinity, and Fatima was compelled to
take for playmates the Hindoo children
around their residence. Among these
was the little daughter of an Indian
snake-charmer, for whom the little
white girl formed strong attachment
The little ones were first at the agency
and then at the hut OF the poor ma
gician and snake,charmer, where ta-
TINA became familiar with boa-con-
strictors and pathons kept by the In
dian, and learned from him the secret
of tanning and charming snakes.
After long period of service tatl-
mas father procured d protracted leave
of absence, and started from Calcu tia IN
a trading ship instead Of taking regu-
lar steamer to an European port On
the vessel were number of large
snakes which had been ordered for an
extensive geological collection in Paris
While going through the Suez canal,
through the inattention of the man in
charge, the snakes regained their liber-
ty; the sailors in their fright took to
the rigging, the officers rushed to their
cabins, and the only one not panic
stricken was the child Fatima. Child
as she was, she ran from her cabin and
in short time again had the entire
collection safely secured,
The ship kept on Ler course trading
at various ports, and at last headed for
Havre. When off the coast of France
the vessel sprung leak during terri
BILE gale. The crew deserted the ship,
but refused to take the passengers IN
the Hfe-boat; the ship drifted at the
mercy of the wind and waves for several
days, and those cruelty left on board
could see it gradually settling. Their
horror and suffering were at last re-
lieved by being rescued by passing
American ship, and they were safely
landed at Bordeaux whore the child's
story Immediately became known.
She was at once the recipient of many
offers to exhibit her wonderful power
over snakes VIII Mere. -ipdlgDaJoJX
came, however, when the young lady
would have been glad to have availed
herself of the offers then made to her.
Shortly after their arrival in England
her parents died. Fatima was left en-
tirely unprovided for. She was too
young to follow such vocations as be-
came her former station in life, and, as
last resort, she thought, could she only
get snake, she could in that way at
least earn small amount, as her friend,
= the Hindoo, used to do.
She wrote to the French collector,
whose snakes she had saved, only to be
lost, and he Immediately engaged her
at salary far beyond her expectations.
Thus she began her public career as a
snake charmer in Paris, from which
point her fame became known over the
entire globe. From Paris Fatima went
to London.
At last, lured by tempting offers she
came to America, and has become so in
fatuated with this land of plenty that
after one more tour of Europe she will
return here and settle for life.--N. Y
World.