New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-27
A SNAKE IN THE GREENS.
GIRLS KEPT A SECRET WE'LL AND CHRISTMAS


FESTIVITIES WE'RE NOT DISTURBED.
A live squirming. glitterng-eyed snake spoiled
Christmas festivities at the Bethany Reformed
Chapel in H0dson-ave near Willoughby-st.. for
about a OF people who knew of its presence
there and who were kept in state OF suspense
the possibility of the presence of the snake
becoming generally known and causing stampede
among the people. who have had three days
Christmas celebration. ending last night, when
the Christian Endeavor Society OF the church had
charge OF the exercises. The Rev Charles W.
Wycxoff OF No. 3G5 Safest, is pastor OF the
chapel On Tuesday the Christmas Committee be-
gan decorating the chapel for the Christmas en-
tertainment of the kindergarten society connected
with the chapel, Douglass Wiebert was on step
ladder near the altar, over the piano, fastening a
rope wound with holly to the wall. He suddenly
dropped the rope and began TO paw the air and
scratch at his coat sleeve. Then as he jumped off
the step-ladder something seen to drop to the
floor. Wiebert jumped for the spot where the OBJ
ject landed landing hard with both feet.
Holy smoke ii got away sad he
voices timorously.
Why that snake; didn't you see it? 1t wrapped
when / and felt IL, and when l began
thrashng around it cropped to The floor orb here r
the register" said one OF the young women. -
BY this time the girls We're so unierved as 10 be
almost ready to collapse, and the young men were
none too courageous. . ,
1T wasn't more than eighteen inches long, said
Wiebert. and we must catch 1t and Kill IL, or we
won't have any here Tonight 10 the enter
tanment."
The door of the chapel was locked and hunt
for the snake was begun The piano was moved
the evergreens carefully sorted over, but there
snake 10 be seen. Everything movable In
the showed about in the hope OF hndlng
the foe, but all TO no purpose.
'If ii gets out that there's snake in this
church ii will spoil everything. said Wiebert.
\ sinking sensation seized hold OF each one pres
ent, and Wiebert said: .
"We. there's no use OF any one else knowing IT,
Wen just keep this 10 ourselves and Keep an eye
for the snake.
The kindergarten exercises passed off happily on
Tuesday night. and Wednesday Mrs Bennett,
the jantress of the chapel, her daughter ana the
latters company" and Mr.. Wiebert renewed the
fruitless hunt for his snakeship Yesterday alter
noon Mrs. Bennett was still in a state when a
Tribune reporter called at the cndpel 10
about the snake
No said Mrs Bennett apprehensively, no, we
haven't thing of ii since can stand rats
and mice all right she continued but when "
comes to snakes-how do abominate them And
frogs too" SAID she. snakes ana frogs!
is Mr. Webert at all nervous? asked the re-
porter. WAS he ever known to-lo ~
''Oh my. no. exclaimed Mrs. Bennett. Hes
strictly truthful young man. and guess 1t was
snake, enough. He told us all just now IL
listen to him. No. he isn't given TO joking. and he
was Just as much scared any of US.
Miss Jane Bedell. of No. AZ Bond-st.. VINO mas a
great deal to do with Bethany Chapel. said: Il
story. There may have been small, dormant
snake In the holly. which got warmed up when 1t
was taken into church. 1t gave all the young
folks terrible fright. and II Is fortunate mat the
newspapers didn't get hold of the incident before
to-day. Tonight the Christian Endeavor Society
beforehand I'm afraid only small audience would
have been present.