Connecticut western news., 1891-07-09
RATTLERS ON BLUE TOP.
A Farmsr Who Catches Them and Keel
 Them in Hollow Logs.

RArTLERs ON BLUE TOP. A Farmsr Who Catches Them and Keeps
 Them in Hollow Logs.
 The Susquehanna river rises in cen. tral New York, and flowing southward enters the northwestern corner of Penn sylvania, near Great Bend, Susque- hanna county, and taking 8 westerly course follows closely the boundary line of the two states. Ranges of hills, rising almost to the dignity of mount aims, skirt it's banks on either side and present 0 rough, ragged and rocky sur face, so that cultivation is almost out of the question; but wild and hilly and barren as it was in many parts, the pioneers of the country, intent on se- curing homes and farms and living somewhere in that region, found here and there a valley and running stream and a flat place where they could plant house and clear up few acres of land for farming.
 Among those streams is one named Snake creek, which, rising in a beauti- ful lake near Montrose, meanders through valley and finds it's way into the 'Susquehanna about twelve miles from the lake in which it rises. This creek was so named by the early settlers because of the fact that, while bears and wolves and other ferocious beasts were very numerous in all that region, snakes were conspicuously more numer- ous. One of the highest hills. whose head rises well up into the sky, was named Blue Top, because the large and luscious blue whortleberries were found on it in large quantities. The large rattlesnake was found there, as he is today, nearly as plentiful as the berries, and in the season of ripe berries he is exceedingly restive and hostile to all intruders.
 On Snake creek. 8 few miles above it's mouth, an old man of the name of Chalker lives all alone, who isso familiar with the snakes that by common con- sent he is called Snake Chalker. His large farm lies along the creek, extend ing up either side to the very top of the hills. On one occasion, while passing that way, the writer hitched his horse at his gate and went in to see him. Hanging up all around the old fash toned fireplace I observed what ap- peared to be dressed eels preparing for the table. They were exceptionally large of the kind, and asked where he caught such large cells.
 'Eels2' said he. "Those are my rat tlemakes"
 "And what are you going to do with them2'
 'Eat them. They are much finer than cells"
 Passing toward his back door he said:
 "Come out and see what have in the yard"
 In tho yard were snakes by the score all kinds, but blacksnakes and rat tlesnakes in great numbers. How he caught them, how he put them where they were, he explained as follows:
 ''You see these tubs, as call them, in which keep them9 These are 'hol. low logs sawed off about ten feet, burned out and made smooth inside, so the snakes can't get out. Iplace one end of the log or tub about five feet in the ground. then put the snakes down, about twenty or thirty in each tub, and keep them, feeding them every day until want to use them. Snakes, you know, come out of their dens on warm, pleas ant days and lie on the rocks to sun themselves. cut small stick with 8 short crotch at one end. I approach them quietly, and placing the crotch on the snakes neck hold it firmly down until put stout pin through his lips. Then twisting it about so he can't open his mouth or bite I fill my pockets or basket and take them home and re- plenish my tubs. When want 8 snake to eat or sell slip a moose over his head and bring him up."-New York Pay of Swiss School Teachers.
 The pay of Swiss teachers, looked at from an American standpoint, is indg- nilcant It averages less than $400 per year and rarely exceeds $500, but then house rent and fuel are free, the term of service is almost for life and promotions for merit are constant. Here, as in all matters of public bene- fit in Switze11and, the man best fitted and trained for his place keeps it. There is no turning competent men out simply Ito give some other fellow . chance to get in," as with 1s.-Has' per's.