Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-12-23
CAT AND copeERHgAc.
xa5by Wins the Fisnt with Reptile ana
 Saves Q Caaaryis Life.

Mrs. Austin Gibson, of fill Crest, 1Itusxille, N J., set a cage containing canary on the frOnt porch to giys 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 a great deal of fuss about talk. ing bath, and its hutterings finally attracted the attention of the snake, which immediately started up the steps. As soon as the copperhead reached the porch it coiled itself near the cage, and soon the canary seemed fascinated and unable to break away from the snakes glittering eyes. In its helplessness it uttered pitiful little cries.
 This business had been going on sev. eral minutes and the eopperhead had crawled nearer the cage until it was almost in striking distance of the bird. It's ugly, square head was raised sev- eral inches from the floor and it's tongue played in and out between its jaws. Then Jason, the family cat, came sauntering around the corner of the house in search of cool spot to lie down in. He stopped at the foot of the steps and gave the side of his face B wipe with one big paw. He was at the point of re- suming his walk when the weak little ehirps of the canary attracted his at- tention. Jason and the bird were firm friends. They had grown up together. and it 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- anda he saw the snake and jumped back as if frightened. The copper head struck at the bird, but was un- able to reach it through the bars of the cage.
 The evident suffering of it's little friend aroused Jason's dander, and he began to crawl toward the snake His tail twitched and he licked his chops nerYously. The snake was too intent on reaching the bird to notice the eat. Jason crouched a few feet from the cage and waited for the snake to come around. The copper head slid around the cage and when on the side near the cat raised it's head to strike. As it did so Jason's form nrched through the air and came down on the snakes body. There was a growl or two, few sharp spits mixed with ugly misses and Jason 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, but he had received no serious injury, and, with it's mad up to the top notch, it turned on the eat and made ready to spring. 1t didn't wait long before jumping, but when it landed Jason wasn't there. and before the copperhead knew what had hap pened it received rake across the back from the cats claws that made 1t run for the edge of the veranda, in the hope, no doubt, of sliding over and away from it's assailant But Jason had his fighting clothes on, and 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 it by the tail with his teeth and yanked it back. Once more the snake coiled and showed fight. It struck at the cat again, but the nimblefooted Jason was away, and once more raled the serpent's s body with his claws. Again the snake attempted to escape, and again it was yanked back to the porch by the cat This time Jason was little slow in getting away, and the copperhead sank it's fang in his leg. The pain of the wound set Jason going at fine steam and with q growl he snapped his teeth together through the snakes body about three inches below the head. The copperhead made an effort to break away, but Jason held on and while he ehewed the serpent's neck he lacerated it's flesh with his claws.
 This treatment was too much for the snake and it shortly gave up the ghost. Jason finally let go the snake and went out into the garden and rolled in the 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 as good as new IN. Y. Sun.