The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-12-19
THE SNAKE WAS GRATEFUL.
Clever Enough to Repay Kindness Thar
Had Been Shown to It,

Edgar b. Raymond, one of San Fran
cisco's barristers, has been 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, the fishes of the
seas. Incidentally he has been able to
collect few snake statistics
81 once knew a case" said Mr.. Hay
mond to some listeners In the Occidental
hotel last night, wherein Il snake dis
played not only an unusual amount OF
affection, but great deal of courage
1t appears that some years ago u profess
sor of natural history from an EASTERN
university was sent to the southern para
of Yucatan to investigate the snakes or
that section. might state that he was
very humane man and frequently as
played it. One afternoon while walking
over desert, thinking of little but the
time he would arrive Mt camp, he heard
n peculiar rafting sound that seemed' 70 :
come from under pile of rocks. Heat
once made an investigation and was re- K
warded by the discovery of mastodofis'
rattlesnake, which he was on the point
of dispatching so as to put 1t out OF mis-
cry, as the rocks had so fallen thar a.
portion of the snakes body was Dadiy
mangled and torn In the matter OF tax
ing the reptiles life he hesitated, owing
to the pathetic and pleading expression
in the wounded creatures eyes, 1t quite
unnerved him to commit murder, so he
rolled the rocks off and waited results
which came in the shape of very pro
nounced gratitude. The delighted ana
thankful creature wriggled over to hinh
and rubbed his leg with grateful ais
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 comfortable as possible. The next
dov he left Yucatan for Guatemala and
was gone over five years. On his return
TO Yucatan he again had occasion TO pass
over the desert, and, greatly to his sur
prise. encountered the same reptile rev
miles from where the previous incident
had occurred The recognition was mu-
tual. and the joyful RATHER coiled about
his leg, licked his hand with frienniy
tongue and showed marked ana industrt-
Gus appreciation. When the professor
took up his march again. the snake Iol
| lowed him and even insisted upon get
fling in the wagon and becoming q regu--
lar occupant"
"Look here, Edgar, amt you going,
little too far with your yarnF inquirer
mot MS far as the snake is going 10
continue. He finally got back east ana
had for travelling companion the snake
which was allowed to wander at Will ~
a natural consequence the professor ana
his dumb companion became the best OF
chums, and it was common thing to'
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 me
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 a heavy body
He rose up in his bed only to hear q
groan and the crushing of bones. In a
flash he bounded into his dressing gown
and repaired to the room whence. came
the sounds of strife Imagine his horror
on striking light 10 see his pet snake,
coiled around mans bleeding body
which 1t had dashed to the stove and was
hugging violently. On the floor was n.
burglars dark lantern and kit OF tools
while the snake, in order TO display It's
presence Of mind, had his tail out OF the
4 window ~
"What forT' inquired listener IN
breathIess excitement.
"Rattling for policeman"