The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-12-14
THE SNAKE WAS GRATEFUL.

Edgar B. Hammond, one Of San Fran
cisco's barristers, has been close stud
ent of natural history, and has succeed
ed in gathering some very interesting
information regarding the birds OF the
air, the beasts of the land, the fishes OF
seas. Incidentally, he has been able to
collect few snake statistics.
81 once knew a case," said Mr.. Ham,
mond, to some ready listeners in the Oc-
cidental Hotel the other evening.
"wherein a snake displayed not only an
unusual amount of affection, but great
deal of courage. It appears that some
years ago professor of natural history
from an Eastern university was sent TO
the southern part of Yucatan to investi-
gate the snakes Of that section. I might
state that he was a very humane man
and frequently displayed it. One after
noon while walking over desert, think
ing of little but the time ne would ar
rive at camp, he heard peculiar rafting
sound that seemed to come from under
pile of rocks He at once made an in
yegtigatton and was rewarded by the
discovery. of mastodon rattlesnake,
which he was OIL the point of dispatching
so as to put it out of it's misery, as the
rocks had so fallen that a portion of
the snakes body was badly mangled and
torn. In the matter of taking the rep
tiles life he hesitated, owing to the pa
thetic and pleading expression in the
wounded creatures eyes. 1t quite M
nerved him to commit murder, so he
rolled the rocks off and awaited results,
which came in the shape of very pro-
nounced gratitude. The delighted and
thankful creature wriggled over to him
and rubbed his leg with g, grateful ar
that was bound to last. The professor
was moved by this exhibition, and, nav
ing some cotton in his valise, he bound
up the wounded part and left the snake
as comfortably as possible. The next
day he left Yucatan for Guatemala and
was gone over five years. On his return
to Y11catan he again had occasion to
pass over the desert, and, greatly to his
surprise. encountered the same reptile
a few miles from where the previous in
cident had occurred. The recognition
was mutual, and the joyful RATHER coiled
about his leg, licked his hand with
friendly tongue and showed marked and
industrious appreciation. When the pro-
fessor took up his march again the snake
followed him and even insisted upon get
ting in the wagon and becoming regu-
lar occupant"
"Look here, Edgar, amt you going a
little too far with that yarn?" inquired
a friend.
I "Not as far as the snake is going. To
continue. He finally got back east and
had for travelling companion the snake,
which was allowed to wander at will. As
a natural consequence the professor and
his dumb companion became the best of
chums, and it was a common thing to
see the naturalist walking out in the
road with the snake gliding along beside
him. Well-now here comes the real
point of the story--one night after the
professor had retired and lett the snake
downstairs in the dining rooEo. he was
suddenly awakened by the crash of
glass followed by the falling Of g heavy
body. He rose up in his bed only to hear
groan and the crushing Of bones. In a
fash he bounded into his dressing gown
and repaired to the room whence came
the sounds Of strife. Imagine his horror
on striking light 70 see the snake
coiled around mans bleeding body,
which it had dashed to the stove
and was hugging violentl y On he
floor was burglars dark lantern. ana q
kit Of tools, while the snake in order u !.