The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-01-03

i
in our missionary work with alacrity
/ and good will. BILL ARP.
4 harrow Escape.
FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS, Dec. 29.
The bite of tarantula is almost as
dangerous or IS fatal as that of a rat
tiesnake, and without prompt atten-
ton the sufferer dies in an hour or
two.
It was from one Of these creatures
| that Johh Thrummer, Of this place,
received a fright lately that nearly
turned his hair while in few min.
utes.
Putting on his outer shirt few
mornings ago he felt something fall
from one of the sleeves onto his
breast, and through the opening Of his
undsrshirt onto his naked fesh.
Looking down he saw an enormous
spider coiled up and seeming ly half
dead with cold. But getting warmed
up with the heat of his body, it pres
emily began to straighten out it's long
limbs, covered with coarse, red bris-
ties, and, before Thrummer could
"
knock it out, was plainly it's old ag-
gressive 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 it would instantly FIX it's
jaws in his flesh. He called his wife
softly, but she was still asleep. He
dared not lean over to touch her, 80
he continued to call her until at last
she opened her eyes. Then he told
her TO get up and take the. tongs and
remove the creature as quickly as pos
sible so as not to give it warning OF
what she was about lest it 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
tarantula. The creature also saw her,
and still clinging 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 lay.
But, as if it OWNED that she was
about to seize it, it suddenly ran up
Mr.. Thrummer's 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 ter
rible fangs in her husband. But at
last, seeing it move slightly, she made
sudden plunge at it, and, catching it
we'll between the prongs Of the tongs,
held it firmly, squeezing it as tightly
as she caszd, endeavoring to kill it, or
at least render it so that it would not
be able to bite. Another Of the fam
lily now coming in,the shirt was cut
away. Thrummer was SO nervous
that he sobbed like child. Mrs.
Thrummer 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.
It ran at Mrs. Thrummer fercely. at
tempting to get at her bare foot, and
had to be beaten off with a broom.
1t was finally captured and confined
in box with 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
it's mandibles in sort of fury. Mr..
Thrummer is Of the belief that were
these creatures substituted for snakes
that the whole world would be prohi-
bitionists. The one that paid him SO
unwelcome visit was one OF the
largest ever seen in these parts, near
ly covering, with it's legs extended, a
large saucer. It had probably sought
the house for warmth at the beginning
of cold weather.