The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1898-01-18

y" A portion c Of those those
>S%- which men are SO
fond Of describing
rs feminine. Vain, indolent, selfish,
with highly cultivated taste for lux
ury and neatness in her personal APP
Pearance, she was distinguished bv all
chose little irritating habits and traits
for which nothing but an affectionate
heart--a thing conspicuous by its alb
. sence-can atone.
We live in comfortable old fash
Toned house facing the highroad. 1
say we, but i'll fact for some months |
had been alone, and my husband had
just returned from one of his sporting
and scientific expeditions in South
America. He had already won fame
as naturalist, and had succeeded in
bringing home alive quite variety of
beasts, usually of the reptile order.
whose extreme rarity seemed to be
merciful provision of nature. But all
his previous triumphs were complete
ly eclipsed, L soon learned, by the
capture alive, on this last expedition,
OF an abominably poisonous snake,
known to those who knew it as the
Blue Dryad, or more Familiarity, in
backwoods slang, as the "half-hour
striker" in vague reference to it's
malignant and fatal qualities. This
precious reptile was destined for the
Geological Gardens.
Being in extremely delicate health
at the time, L need hardly say that [
knew nothing of these grewsome de-
tails until atterward. Henry THAT is
my husband), after entering my room
with robust and sunburned appear
alce that did my heart good, merely
observe las soon as we had exchanged
greeting-that he had brought home n
pretty snake which "wouldn't do the
slightest harm"-an evasive assurance
which | accepted rs became the ner-
vous wife of an enthusiastic naturalist.
L believe L insisted on its not coming
into the house. Fortunately the
weather was very hot, so that it was
decided that the Blue Dryad, wrapped
In flannel and securely confined in a
basket, should be left in the sun and
the farthest corner of the veranda, dur.
ing the hour or so in the afternoon
when my husband had to visit the
town on business.
He had gone off with n cousin of
mine, an officer of Engineers in India.
stationed, / think, at Lahore. and
home on leave. l remember that they
were long time, or what seemed To
me long time, over their luncheon:
and the last remark of orr guest as he
came out OF the dining-room remained
In my head rs even meaningless words
will run in the head Of any idle in
valid shut up for the most of the dov
IN silent room. What he said was
IN the positive tone of one emphasiz-
ing curious aud surprising statement.
'D'you know, by the way, it's the one
animal that doesn't care rap for the
cobra. Aud, my husband seeming
to express disbelief and desire To-
change the subject as they entered my
boudoir, ITS holy fact Goes for
1T, so SMART Has the beggar on toast
before you can say Jack Robinsonr'
The observation did not interest me
but simply ran in my head. Then
they came into my room, only for a
Few moments, rs / was not to be tired
The engineer tried to anus, Stonles.
who was seized with such fit OF NOR
tai boredom that he transferred his at-
tentions 10 Ruby, the Gordon setter.
q devoted and iuseparable friend of
mine, under whose charge was short.
ly left as they went out
suppose / may have been asleep
Tor ten minutes or sD when + was
awakened by the noise OF Ruby's
heavy body jumping out through the
open window Feeling restless and
seeing me asleep, he had Imagined
himself entitled 20 short spell of
guard Had the door not been osieu
sibiy latched he would have made hi.
way ont by 10, being thoroughly usel
20 open doors and such tricks ra.
paciiy which, IN fact, proved fatal to
him. That It was Unmatched ! saw iu
few moments. for the do4 on boo. rs
turn forced it open with push aud
trOtteI mp in disturbed manner 10
my bedside. ] noticed tiny spot OF
blood ON the black side Of his nose.
md naturally supposed hs had
scratched himself AGAINST q bush or
piece Of wire Ruby. Isaid. "whaf
have Won been doinQ?' Then he
Nhined as il in pain, crOuchinz ciose
~ NY side aud shaking ia every limb.
should say that / was myself lying
Eith shawl over my feet on n deep
IOfa with n high back IT. n 10
.OOk AZ St)0ies, who was ST.
ambulatug the room, ! , "
for flies aud other inj w %
fayorife amusement U'fsah VI
waibscot When { glauceV
the dog, his appearance Gll.