The Helena independent., 1893-12-15
Mysterious Actions Of Backsnake
Over the Coffin Of a Dead
Man.
Hair Raising Experience OF Three
Watchers by the Bier OF
Faranchini
Sudden Death of an Old italian Fiddler
The Blood Stained stilstto in the
lron Ghost.

witness who lives IN Louisa county, Va,
and was once well known public official
of that county. He maintains that the
details are correct and adds that he can
furnish at least two trustworthy witnesses
who will make afiidavits to his statements.
It was several years ago, according to
my informant, near the little rural settle
ment of Boyd's Tavern, in Albermarle
county, short distance from the Fluvan-
ma line. For many years an old Italian
named Faranchini had been u familiar
figure in that section. He had no rela-
tives, but lived II sort of hermit life in
a rude, dilapidated two story house about
half mile from the tavern. Nearly ev-
ery night he could be seen playing the tid-
die at the tavern, and in times of elections
he took in quite snug sum for his mu-
steal talent. There was something mys-
terious about the old foreigner. He was
known to have earned considerable mon
ey, but rarely, if ever, did any one see him
make a purchase. He was never known to
take drink. A light could be seen shin
ing family from his window every night,
long after other people had retired. Some
said the old man had plenty Of money,
and was burying it from time to time in
some secret place.
One afternoon in December the old man
died suddenly. A rumor spread that he
had been poisoned for his treasures. There
was no one to look after the burial az
rangements, and so pine box was Sc
cured at the expense of charity. Three
young men who had often danced the V1r-
ginia reel to his music agreed to sit up
with the remains during the night. A
tlreary looking rain made matters doubly
uncomfortable, and at 10 O'Clock the three
ii nC q
log fire that glowed in the old fashioned
fireplace, smoking their pipes and telling
anecdotes, while the body of the Italian
lay in the rude coffin some 10 feet away.
They had chatted away for two hours,
when one of them proposed u game OF
cards.
This was agreed to, and the game was
interspersed now and then with glass OF
cider from Il big jug that sat on one side.
An old fashioned clock on the shelf
struck 12 The last stroke had scarcely
died away in the dense stiffness when one
of the men aroused himself suddenly, drop
ped his hand on the table and stood up
from the stool on which he was seated.
His hair was on end, his eyes were twice
their usual size, and with one hand he
pointed nervously to the coffin in the cor
ner The other two men left their seats
simultaneously and were in the act of
leaving the room when the first caught his
companions by the arm, and the three
cautiously approached step nearer.
"Hissl Hiss! Hiss!' came the sound at
regular intervals from the direction of the
coffin, while from a trapdoor, its tail coll
ed around one of the stats, hung long
blacksnake that swung back and forth
like u pendulum over the entire length of
the coffin. Its head swept within an inch
or so of the Italian, and the hideous thing
fixed it's flesh tinted eyes on the face, as if
trying to charm the miser.
The three men stood perfectly still, as
though riveted to the floor, and for several
moments none spoke The countenance
of one of them was pale as sheet. An
other stared at his companions with a be-
wildered query written on his face, while
the third, horror stricken, seized the po-
ker, and creeping stealthily toward the
snake aimed terrible blow at the intrud-
er. But the latter was not to be outwit-
ted. Quick as I, flash it lodged the weap-
on, and coiling up disappeared through a
crevics in the trapdoor. The men gazed
at each other mystitied.
A conference was held, and each of the
men simultaneously recalled a number of
strange stories that had furnished sub
jects for gossip about the Italian. For
half an hour this was continued until
finally they relapsed into half asleep mo-
notony and t!rowsily putfed their pipes.
Not Il sound could be heard save the dreary
patter of the rain on the window panes.
The lamp fiickered and went out, leaving
only the dim rays of the freight. One
of the men aroused himself with u yawn,
and got up to refill the lamp. Scarcely
was this done before the men were aston
ished to sec the snake Teappear from the
trapdoor. The reptile was even bolder
than before. AS it swept over the length
OF the coffin, it's eyes glistened as if threat
ening those disturbing it. One of them
hurled stick of wood at the hideous
thing, which avoided the blow, and Just
AS before vanished through the trapdoor
Several times it rcappeared, and every eff
fort was made to kill it, but all to no pur
pose. 1t was impossible to strike the rep
tile.
The men planned Il number of scheme
70 catch the intruder unawares. One 0
them concealed himself behind the cotlil
and kept perfectly still. He waited hal
al hour for the intruder to come from hi
hiding place. This, too, failed.
Early the next morning every body in tn
neighborhood had learned of the strang
experience in old Faranchini's domicile
Some said the mystery ought to be inVes
tigated, while others declared they coult
not be paid to enter the miser's house.
That morning the Italian was buried il
the old burying ground, oVergrown will
briers and rlndcrbrush. One or two grave
had caved in years before, and moss GOV
cred bricks were scattered about the place
No funeral services were held. The bod