Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-14
CALL 1T SQUARE"

Il IL remarkable what stable TO
mances small bits Of territory are Ca
pable Of producing under favorable con-
ditions. Though containing but six or
eight acres. Rattlesnake Island forms
the scene of quite an interesting episode
along this line. The island lies about
two miles to tho northeast Of Put-in-Bay.
From its peculiar formation the island
IL generally supposed to have derived Its
name, though some assert that the APP
pellation was bestowed in consequence
Of the illimitsble quantities of the rattle
tailed species which rendezvoused in and
among the creviced and governed rocks
From these Businesses they were won't to
wriggle forth into aggressive promi-
nence, Kissing and clicking their spite
and whipping the surrounding vegeta-
ton until everything looked blue.
An able accessory in the dispersion Of
this reptile host was undoubtedly vested
In the Drawn and muscle of old Hank
Hammond. who. with his family, lncat-
ed on the island. Old Hank wasn't
afraid OF rattlesnakes, evidently, and
prided himself manifestly upon owning
and occupying with his household gods
. whole island, which, If not very big,
was at least far enough removed from
adjacent isles to afford ample seclusion
So at least he imagined, and 30 in reali-
~ it might have proven but for the single
obtr,isive feet that the old codger was
possessed of several comely daughters.
and since "lovs laughs at locksmiths.'
scales heights inaccessible, traverses dis
tances unreasonable aud achieves i'm
possibilities Of al sorts, this blind but
active imp ives not long in finding his
way 10 Rattlesnake island.
Sadie. the oldest, was an attractive
maiden Of twenty years. with eyes that
matched the color of sea and sky and
hair fluff OF golden brown. She was
1.-the and active, free aad fearless. and
like duck. She was An expert at fish,
ing and fowling. could manipulate apaiT
Of cars with admirable skill. and with q
light skin was accustomed to cross fire.
quently, sometimes alone, the two mile
stretch Of water which interviewed be-
tween Rattlesnake and Putin Bay.
Al the latter place she speedily be-
came tho attraction Of . youthful fish,
erman, who Inadvertently crossed her
pash-one Tom Taylor. After this de-
velopment there was no moro peace for
Rattlesnake. From time to time its
vicinity was haunted by spectral sail
which circled about the island. edging
nearer and nesrer ut each cruise: until
one day IL lay beached Gloss by the
'.grous" house Of Hank Hammond. AT
beck II the little winged god Tom Tay-
lor and his boat had followed the charm.
or to her rocky retreat. This being his
first experience in courtship. however,
Tom proved . bit fresh. and his bashful-
ness was excruciating. His feeble adj
vanees were regarded with apparent dis
favor. the COY maiden turning . deaf
ear 70 his impcrrunities. until in blank
despair he shook the dust Of Rattle
snake from his feet.
One early spring day, some months
following tie collapse Of Toms love a.
fair. . terrific squsll. such as sometimes
swoops down upon the islands unan-
noanced. struck Pus-in-Bsy with force
that wrcnchsd limbs from trees and zen;
the troubled seas sporting MP the rocks
IN binding showers. Looking from her
window IN old woman Who occupied
cottage on East Point thought she espse~i
snail BOA far ous on the lshe driving
eastward before the gale. From . shelf
she matched . pair of held ssHeprs.
thru79h whtrh che took q sprorA or~<v.
vssssa. Tee. the boat vas svsdsnfiy
drifting 81 the mercy ~ the wsnA ADD
current Not "a car vas IN motion.
Only aaels occupant conid b dis
cexneA. snA that . f~mais With breath.
- hasss ~ al woman rushed along
h shsse ~ tssle cove. where annons
Ne reen stsnd . ash saAnty. Within
~ sagie ~ the L-sAsp~a 1och seversi
,ssfs iay noosed end too fishermen
tr~~rA n yelIsw esIevs ssd so wesasr.
~ go tsszlnG ssias svw snsAin~