The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1890-05-15


escape would not insure future safety.
Moving in that field that yet was q
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 1 remem.
bered how frail and light were my san
dals. and thought Of the snakes size,
and probably venomous character. My
husband now stepped forward and lifted
his foot to kill the reptile in his usual
manner with his heavy boot heel. It
thrust its head forward close to the
ground now, jaws dilating and forked
tongue thrust forward with low Misses.
But on the other side OF the shocks
appeared my fair young brother holding
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, "it is a
COBRA" But now my brother stood erect
holding his writhing trophy as one
proud Of a victory gained.
Soon the snake ceased to struggle, yet
continuously thrusting forward it's fork
ed tongue.
"He will kill it," I 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
continued to hold it, he was as truly a
prisoner as was the deadly serpent.
"He will dash its body against tree"
I thought. But no, one touch of the
fangs, so near his hand, would be fatal,
and he dare not provoke it. 1t is a
cobra.
But my brother with his disengaged
hand began to stroke the slick head OF
the serpent. Horror held me motionless.
had not feared the serpent much.
| u
it as it lay coiled in its shady nook be.
sides, 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 darling brother
had done?
He had heard OF snake charming.
What others did, why could not he? I
felt that my husband knew the charac.
ter OF the serpent, but he stood smiling,
amused perhaps, and not too watchful.
He overestimated my brothers power.
That high spirit aroused his admiration,
l alone saw danger to my brother.
"It is COBRA" said in a 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 ol
grief and fear. Yet dared not. That
brothers safety depended on my silence
To throw him one instant off his guard
was to give the serpeat its watched fol
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, proui
and confident. Its glittering eyes grow
steady, dreamy even, but the forket
tongue yet moves swiftly.
"He will conquerit, reasoned. Blu
like lightning memory asserts, "it is {
COBRA"
The youth is making passes with hi
. disengaged hand before the serpent
open mouth.
1t is learning to love him, he is 81
, gentle, I muse. But reason thurders t.
my quaking heart, "it is COBRA"
Oh, be careful, my brother, my dea
!. young brother! Your fingers almoa
close upon those poisoned fangs. Ar
you mad? think, but dare not SPEAK
To speak is to arouse the serpent I
: 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,
conquering the creature. How swee
and kind and plying his glance. H
: would not now kill 1t If he could. 1t
' dainty pet, graceful as a kitten, an
!, my brother is fond Of all poor helples
things. But eternally to me the WORD
are sounded, "it is COBRA" I mui
!. speak. The fingers Of that right han
u are so near the fearful fangs. M
,. brother, oh, my brother!
;. Too late. 1t is done. The fatal FAM
y have touched the hand that woul
. caress, that meant but gentleness to Il
!, poison thing. It is q cobra.
y In my dream / awoke to say, ut WI
y but Dream" then sweetiy sleep Il
u morning dawns. Now ] really awak