Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-01-25
A SNAKE STORY.

close student oi natural history, and
has succeeded in gathering some vcrv
interesting information regarding the
birds of the air, the beasts of the
lands, the fishes of the seas. Incident
ally, he has been able to collect few
snake statistics.
II once knew case said Mr..
Raymond to some ready listeners in
the Occidental Hotel last night,
wherein snake displayed not only
an unusual amount Of affection, hut 4
great deal OF courage Ii appears
that some years ago a professor ot
natural history from an Eastern uni,
versty was sent 10 the southern part
of Iucatan to investigate the snakes
of that section. might state he was
very humane man and frequently
displayed it. One afternoon while
walking over desert, thinking OF
little but the time he would arrive at
camp, he heard peculiar rattling
sound that seemed to come from under
a pile Of rocks. He ut once made an
investigation and was rewarded BY
the discovery of Il mastodon rattle
snake, which he wa. on the point Of
dispatching 50 as to put it ont Of mis-
cry as the rocks had 50 fallen that a
portion OF the snakes body wa ballv
mangled and torn. In the matter of
taking the reptiles lite he hc>ilated
owing to the pathetic and pleading
expression in the wounded creatures
eyes. 1t quite unnerved him to com
nit murder, 80 he role the rocks off
and awaited results. which came in
the shape Of very pronounced graft
tude. The delightful and thankful
creature wriggled over to him and
rubbed his leg with Il grateful mir
that was bound to last The protes-
Sor was moved bv this exhibition. and
having some cotton in his valise, he
bound up the wounded part and lett
the snake aS comfortable as possible
The next day he left Yucaran for
Guatamala and was gone over five
years. On his returu to Gucatan he
again had occasion To pass over the
desert, and greatly to his surprise,
encountered the same reptile few
miles from where the previous Incl
dent had occurred. The recognition
was mutual, and the joyful rattler
coilcd about his leg. licked his hand
with friendly tongue and showed
marked and industrious appreciation.
When the professor took up his march
again the snake followed him and
even insisted upon getting in the
wagon and becoming a regular occu-
pant
"Look here. Edgar, amt you going
little too far with that yarn 2" in
quired friend
Not rs far as the snake is going
To continue He finally got back
Elst and had for travelling com
panon, the snake, which was allowed
to wander at will. As natural conse.
quence the professor and his dumb
companion became the best of chums.
and il was common thing to the
naturalist walking out i'll the road
with his snake gliding along beside
him. Well How 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 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 light To see his pet snake
coilcd around mans bleeding body,
which it had lashed to the stove and
was hugging violently. On the floor
was burglars dark lantern and Il
kit Of tools, while the snake, in order
to display It's presence Of mind, had
his tail out Of the window"
What for?" inquired II listener in
brcathless excitement.
"Rattlng for Il policeman. SIN
Francisco C1H