The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-08
GR<TEFUL SNAKE.
Clever Enough to Repay Kindness Th"<
Had Been shown to II.


Mr.. Edgar g. Raymond. formerly OF
Bedford City. Va. Is now San Francis
CO barrister. The call OF that city says
he has been a close student OF natural
history. and has succeeded In gathering
some very interesting information regard
ing the birds OF the air, the beasts OF the
land the fishes Of the seas. incidentally,
he has been able 10 collect lew snake
statistics The Call then ASSUMES resicn-
sibility for the following.
II once knew q case, said NJ. bay
mond to some listeners IN the Occidental
Hotel last night. wherein snake cis-
played not only an unusual amount OF FL
feeslon, bu, a great deal Of courage. II
appears that some years ago p professor
of natural history from an eastern uni
versity was sent to tho southern part OF
Yucatan TO Investigate the snakes OF that
section. / might state that he was very
humane man and frequently displayed II.
One afternoon while walking over de-
sert. thinking Of little but the time lie
would arrive at camp, he heard q Pc
culiar rafting sound that seemed TO come
from under a pile OF rocks lie ~ once
made an investigation and was rewarded
by the discovery OF .lastodon rA',ie-
snake. which he fas on the point OF ois-
patching so as 10 put II out OF MISERY as
the snakes body was badly mangled ana
torn. In the matter OF taking the rep
tiles life ne hcsltated, owing 20 the pa
the,ic and pleading expression in the
wounded creatures eyes. II quite IN
nerved him 10 commit murder. so he
rolled the rocks off and awaited results.
which came I'm the shape Of very pro-
nounced gratitude The delighted and
thankful creature vriggled over 10 him
and rubbed his leg with n grateful air
that was bound 20 last. The professor
was moved By this exhibition, and nav
ing some cotton I'm his valise, ne bound
uD the wounded part and left the snake
as comfortable as possible The next daN
he left Tucatan FOR Guatemala and was
gone over five years. on his return 70
Yucatan he again had occasion 70 pass
over the desert, and. greatly to his sur
prise. encountered the same reptile
few miles from where the previous Incl
dent had occurred. The recognition was
mutual. and the joyful ratter coiled
about his leg. licked his hand with a
friendly tongue and showed marked and
industrious appreciation. When the pro-
fessor took mp his march again the snake
followed him and even insisted upon get
ting In the wagon and becoming regu-
lar occupant
LOOK mere. ItEtIs AN Z Nph sum 70
little too far with that yarn?" inquired a
friend.
''Not as far as the snake IS going To
continue. He finally got back east ana
had for a travelling companion the snake
which was allowed 10 wander at will. As
natural consequence the professor and
his dumb. companion became the best OF
chums. and IL was a common thing 20 see
the naturalist walking out in the ROAD
with his snake gliding along beside him
Well-now here 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
awakened by the crash OF glass, followed
by the falling Of n heavy body. lie rose
10 I'm his bed only to hear a groan and
the crushing Of bones. In a fash he
bounded into his dressing gown and re-
paired 10 the room whence came the
sounds Of strife Imagine his horror, on
striking n light. 10 see his pet snake
coiled around mans bleeding body,
which it had dashed 10 tho stove and was
hucging violently. on the floor was
burglars dark lantern and a kit OF tools.
while the snake, IN order 10 display its
presence Of mind. had his tail out Of the
window"
what for" inquired A listener I'm
breathloss excitement.
"Rattlin- for a policeman"