Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-01-11
A STRANGE STORY.
PECULIAR ACTION OF A eLACKSNAKE
OVER A COFFIN

The story when am about 10 narraUe
Is related upon the authority of reliable
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 affidavits 10 his statements.
1t was several years ago, according to
nv 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 familiar
figure in that section. He had no rela-
tives, but lived sort of hermit life in
q rude, dilapidated two story house about
half a mile from the tavern. Nearly ev-
cry night he could be seen playing the fid-
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 purchase He was never known to
take n 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 ar
rangements, and so pine box was Sc
cured at the expense of charity. Three
Young men who had often danced the Nlr-
ginia reel to his music agreed TO sit Up
with the remains during the night.
dreary looking rain made matters doubly
uncomfortable and at 10 O'Clock the three
charitable young men were seated by
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 game of
cards.
This was agreed to, and the game was
interspersed now and then with II glass Of
cider from big jug that sat on one side.
An old fashioned clock on the shelf
struck 10. 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.
"Hiss! Hiss Hissm came the sound mt
regular intervals from the direction of the
coffin, while from trapdoor, its tail coil
ed around one of the Stats, hung long
blacksnake that swung back and forth
like pendulum over the entire length of
the coffin. Its head swept within an inch
or so of the Italian, and the hideous thing
fixed its flesh tinted eyes on the face, as II
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 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 flash it lodged the weap-
on. and coiling up disappeared through
crevice in the trapdoor. The men gaxed
at each other mystified.
A conference was held, and each of the
men simultaneously recalled number OF
strange stories that had furnished sub
iects for gossip about the Italian. For
half an hour this was continued until
finally they relapsed into half asleep mo-
notony and drowsily pulled their pipes.
Not a sound could be heard save the dreary
patter of the rain on the window panes.
The lamp fickered and went out, leaving
only the dim rays of the freight. one
of the men aroused himself with yawn,
and got up to refill the lamp. Scarcely
was this done before the men were aston
ished to see the snake reappear from the
trapdoor. The reptile was even holder
than before. AS it swept over the length
of the coffin, its eyes glistened as If threat
ening those disturbing it. One OF them
hurled a stick of wood Mt the hideous
thing, which avoided the blow, and just
as before vanished through the trapdoor.
Several times it reappeared, 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 number of schemes
to catch the intruder unawares. One of
them concealed himself behind the coffin
and kept perfectly still. He waited half
an hour for the intruder to come from his
hiding place This, too, failed.
Early the next morning everybody in the
neighborhood had learned of the strange
experience in old Faranchini's domicile.
Some said the mystery ought to be inves-
tigated, while others declared they could
not be paid to enter the miser's house.
That morning the Italian was buried in
the old burying ground, overgrown with
briers and underbrush. One or two graves
had caved in years before, and moss GOV.
cred bricks were scattered about the place.
No funeral services were held. The body
was buried by several men who lived In
the neighborhood, and the violin, which
bore the mark of age, was also placed In
the grave with its owner.
A few hours later the three young men
who had kept watch over the remains the
night before, together with two others,
who had manifested a great deal of curl
Osity in the affair, determined TO investi-
gate the mystery of the previous night.
They searched the room in which Faran-
chini slept Nothing unusual was discov-
cred. BY means of ladder they gained
access TO the garnet, and there instituted a
careful search. The snake could not be
found After an hours investigation with
out success small iron chest was brought
to light from crevice in the rude Ilm-
ney. This was locked. They forced it
open The chest contained several jewels
and about 50 300 in gold coin. Besides
these were found stiletto, with some old
blood stains on the point and the following
note, on which was stamped some secret
society motto and two stilettos, crossed:
ga M.-Strike for the heart Make quick
work of him. BY order of the MALTA.
Such is the story as told by my &C
ouaintane from Louisa.-Cor. Richmond
Times
Sore-throat and bronchial affections
are speedily relieved and effectually
cnre1 nv tho uSa of that 50 fp and rpli-