The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-21
TARANTULA ON HIS BACK.

Nom ents of Terrible Suspense That
John Thrummer Is Not Apt to For
get.
Fredericksburg Texl Letter to Philadelphia
Times.
The bite of a tarantula is almost as
dangerous or as fatal as that of rattle
snake, and without prompt attention the
sufferer dies in an hour or two.
1t was from one of these creatures that
John Thrummer, of this place, received a
fright lately, that nearly turned his hair
white in few minutes.
Putting on his outer shirt a few morn
ings ago, he felt something fall from one
Of the sleeves on to his breast, and through
the opening of his undershirt on to his
naked flesh. Looking down he saw an
enormous spider coiled up, and seemingly
half dead from cold But getting warmed
with the heat of his body, it presently be-
gan to straighten its long limbs, covered
with coarse, red bristles, and before
Thrummer could knock it out, was plainly
its old aggressive self Mr.. Thrummer
did not dare seize it with his fingers lest
it fasten on them, nor did he dare to make
any movement TO dislodge it for fear that
IL would instantly fix its Jaws in his flesh
He called to his wife softly, but she was
still asleep. He dared not lean over To
touch her, so he continued to call her I'M
Til at last she opened her eyes. Then he
told her to get up and take the tongs and
remove the creature as quickly as posi-
BILE so as not to give il warning of what
she was about lest il might bite him.
Mrs. Thrummer, from her husbands
quiet tone, thought at first that he was
jesting and pulled open the shirt to look
for herself, when she saw the tarantua
The creature also saw her, and, still cling
ing to the mans breast, bristled all over
with menace.
Therefore getting up without more
noise than could be helped, she ran for
the tongs and approached the spot where
the insect Law.
But, as II it OWNED that she was about
to seize it, it suddenly ran up to MIR.
Thrummers left shoulder and over on his
back. Only able to guess at its exact
whereabouts, Mrs. Thrummer was at first
afraid to seize it, for fear that she would
not locate it right, and that it would
bury its terrible fangs in her husband
But at last, seeing it move slightly, she
made sudden plunge at it, and, catching
it well between the prongs of the tongs.
held IL firmly, squeezing IL as tightly as
she could, endeaVoring to kill it, or, at
least, render it so that it would not be
able to bite. Another of the family now
coming in. the shirt was cut away.
1Hruulner was SO nervous IhaJ ne SODDeu
like child. Mrs. Tnrummer let go her
hold, and the giant spider fell to the floor.
But, though badly crushed, it was not
dead, and showed fight at once. 1t ran
al Mrs. Thrummer fiercely, attempting to
get at her bare feet, and had to be beaten
of with a broom.
1t was finally captured, and confined in
box with a glass top, but in a few days
stung itself to death. 1t would fling itself
upon the walls of its prison and endeavor
to seize the wood with its mandibles in a
sort of fry. Mr.. Thrummer is of the be-
lief that were these creatures substituted
for snakes the whole world Wuold be pro
hibitionists. The one that, paid him so
unwelcome a visit was one Of The. largest
ever seen in these parts. nearly covering,
with its legs extended, large saucer. 1t
hal probably sought the house for warmth
at the beginning of cold weather.