The Brookhaven leader., 1890-03-06
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
1T is A COBRA.
The Deadly Serpent A Horrible Dream
That Is n Reality.

OF tclt That any evil within that neld
was as foe within camp a thing that
must slay or be slain. Present escape
would not insure future safety.
Moving in that field that yet was q
barred house, I came upon a 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 i 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 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: at is a
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.
lie will kill it," | thought. "But
how?"
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 a pris-
oner as was the deadly serpent.
He will dash it's body against a
tree" | thought But no, one touch
of the fangs, so near his hand, would be
fatal, and he dare not provoke it. 1t is
q 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 moro than a
match for it as it lay coiled in its shady
num- OColuCSy lOo NtIlOblOuS VIAL dIlSA
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!
lie had heard of snake-charmers.
What others did, why could not he?
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-
Iniration. l alone saw danger to my
brother.
cit is COBRA" said in low tone,
sfraid of angering the serpent by loud
words; afraid | might too suddenly at
tract my brothers attention. | wanted
10 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 guard was to give the serpent its
watched-for opportunity. Its bite would
he fatal.
Now the muscles of the reptile relax;
the head ceases to writhe. 1t is strange
" quiet. My brother is pleased, proud
and confident. Its glittering eyes grow
steady, dreamy, even, but the forked
tongue yet moves swiftly.
''lle will conquer it," reason. But
like lightning memory asserts: 1T is a
cobra"
The youth is making passes with his
diSengaged hand before the serpent's
open mouth.
1T is learning to love him, he is so
gentle" | muse. But reason thunders
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? 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. lie 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 a kitten, and
ny brother is fond of all poor, helpless
things.
But eternally to me the words are
sounded: 1T is a cobra" l must speak
The fingers of that right hand are sc
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 a cobra.
In my dream l awake to say: at was
but dream" then sweetly sleep till
morning dawns. Now | really awake
| remember, l cry: sit as a cobra. >
Alas, my brother loves the serpent.
know, l feel, that still for him the hor'
rihle dream is reality, that still he
seeks to charm a cobra.
The deadly creature is slumbering in
cups of amber cider, in foaming ale, in
sparkling wine, in golden CLEAN OF
brandy. 10 is co5rd.-Anna c. Wright,
in Union Signal.
HOW BEER AFFECTS THE BODY.
Testimony as to the Relative Resisting