The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-10-19

Tnbby Wins the FiGht with Reptile ana
raves Canary's Lifc-
Mrs Austin Gibson, OF Hill Crest.
Titusville. N. j.. set a cage containing
canary on the front porch TO give
the bird fresh air. The cage had been
on the porch about half an hour when
big copperhead snake crawled out
from under the steps and stretched IL
self out In the sun. The canary was
making great deal of fuss about talk
ing bath, and its fiutterings finally
attracted the attention of the snake.
which Immediately started up the
steps Az soon as the eopperhead
reached the porch IL coileG itself near
the cage. and soon the canary seemed
fascinated and unable to break away
from the snakes glittering eyes In
its helplessness IL uttered pitiful little
cries
This business had been going on se*=
srsi minutes and the copperhead had
crawlcd nearer the cage until IL was
almost In striking distance OF the bird
Its ugly, square head was raised sew
eral inches from the floor and ito
tongue played In and out between its
Jaws. Then Jason, the family cat.
came sanntering around the corner OF
the house in search OF a cool spot To-
lie down in. He stopped AZ the
foot Of the steps and gave tho
side OF his face wipe with one
big paw. fic was at the point OF re-
Stunning his walk when the weak little
chirps OF the canary attracted his at
tention. Jason and the bird were firm
friends. They had grown up together,
and IL was no unusual thing for the
canary to ride around the sitting room
on the cats back or eat off the Same
dish with him. The instant Jason
heard the birds plaintive cry he sur
missed something was wrong and
sprang up the steps In the direction of
the cage. When he reached the ver-
nnda he saw the snake and jumped
back as II frightened. The copper
head struck at the bird, but was un.
able to reach II through the bars OF
tho cage.
The evident suffering OF Its little
friend aroused Jason's dander, and he
began TO crawl toward the snake.
His tail twitched and he licked his
chops nervously. The snake was too
intent on reaching the bird TO notice
the cat. Jason crouchcd few feet
from the care and waited for the
snake TO come around. The copper
head slid around the cage and when
on the side near the eat raised its head
20 strike. AS IL did so Jason's form
arched through the air and came down
on the snakes body. There was "A
.. n
with ugly Kisses and Jnson was away
from the snake with his back bumped
up and his tail like a scrub-brush.
The snakes skin was torn by the cats
claws, bat he had received no serious
injury. and. with It's mad up TO the top
notch, IL turned on the cat and made
ready To spring. IL didn't wait long
before jumping, but when IL landed
Jason wasn't there, and before
the copperhead knew what had hap
pene6 it received rake across tho
back from the cats claws that mad IL
run Tor the edge OF the veranda, IN the
hope, no doubt. OF sliding over and
away from its assailant. But Jason
had his fighting clothes on, aud he
didn't propose that the snake should
get off SO easily. just as the copper
head began to slide over the edge of
the porch Jason grabbed II by the tail
with his teeth and yanlsed Il back.
Once more the snake coiled aud showed
fight II struck at the cat again, but
the nimble-footad Jason was away,
and once more ralsed the serpcnts
body with his claws. Again the snake
attempted TO escape, aud again it was
yanked back 10 the porch by the cat
This time Jason was little slow IN
getting away, and the copperhead
sank its fang In his leg. The pain of
the wound set Jason going at fine
steam and with growl he snapped
his teeth together through the snakes
body about three inches below tho
head. The coppcrhead made an effort
70 break away, but Jason held on and
while he chewcd the serpcnt's neck he
laccratcd its flesh with his claws
This treatment was too much for the
snake and IL shortly gave up the
ghost Jason finally Let go the snake
and went out into the garden and
rolled in tho dirt His leg swelled up
as big as mans arm from the effect
of the snakes bite. but he chewed cat
nip and rolled In the dirt couple Of
hours and then was about Us good as
new.-N. Y. Sun.
An old Fire Horses Good Memory.
Eleven years ago horse was pur-
nbaonf ~ al. a.. .rnf... n,.tf..I