Birmingham state herald., 1895-10-26
A GRATEFUL SNAKE.
It Was Clever and Repaid Kindness in Its
 Own Coin.

1 l
 Own Coin.
 San Francisco Call. rtf
 Edgar B. Raymond, one of San Fran cisco's barristers has been a close stu dent of natural history, and has succeed ed in gathering some very interesting in- formation regarding the birds of the air, the beasts of the land and the fishes of the sea. Incidentally, he has been able to collect few snake statistics.
 II once knew a case" said MT. Hay mond to some ready listeners in the Occi- dental hotel last night, wherein 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 uni versity was sent to the southern part of Yucatan to investigate the snakes of that section. I might state" that he was very humane man and frequently dis played it. One afternoon while walking over desert, thinking of little but the time he would arrive at camp, he heard a peculiar rattling sound that seemed to come from under pile of rocks. He at once made an investfgat tion and was re- warded by the discovery of a mastodon rattlesnake, which he was on the point of dispatching so as to put 1t out of misery, as the rocks had so fallen that portion of the snakes body was badly mangled and torn. In the matter of taking the reptiles life he hesitated, owing to the pathetic and pleading expression in the wounded creature's eyes.
 It quite unnerved him to commit mur- der, so he rolled the rocks off and awaited results, which came in the shape of very pronounced gratitude. The delighted and thankful creature wriggled over to him rubbed his leg with grateful air that was bound to last. The professor was moved by this exhibition. and. hay ing some cotton in his yalise, he bound up the wounded part and left the snake as comfortable as possible. The next day he left Yucatan for Guatemala and was gone for over five years. On his return to Yucatan he had occasion to pass over the desert and greatly to his surprise encountered the same reptile few miles from where the previous incident oc- cured. The recognition was mutual, and the joyful rattler coiled about his leg, licked his hand with a friendly tongue and showed marked and indus trious appreciation. When the profess sor took up his march again the snake followed him and even insisted upon get ting in the wagon and becoming regular occupant
 Look here, Edgar, ain't you going a little too far with that yarn?" inquired a friend.
 Not as far as the snake is going. To continue. He finally got back east, and had for a travelling companion the snake, Wnlcn was allowed 10 wander al VIII. As natural consequence, the professor and his dumb companion became the best of chums and 1t was a common thing to see the naturalist walking out in the road with his snake gliding along beside him. Well-now comes the real point of the story. One night after the professor had retired and left the snake downstairs in the dining room he was suddenly awak- ened by the crash of glass, followed by the falling of heavy body. He rose up in his bed only to hear & groan and the crushing of bones. In flash he bounded into his dressing gown and repaired to the room whence came the sounds of strife. Imagine his horror, on striking a light, to see his pet snake -coiled around a mans bleeding body, which it had lashed to the stove and was hugging vio- lently. On the floor was burglars dark lantern and a kit of tools while the snake, in order to display its presence of mind, had his tail out of the window"
 What for?" inquired listener in breathless excitement.
 Battling for policeman"