St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-03-04
SNAKE, SURE ENOUGH.
ALVEY Time on the Night Express.

On the night express south on the st.
Mary's road the other day man who
had the appearance of an amateur nat
uralist, was passenger in the smoker.
He got on at back country station
carrying heavy box which he deposited
on the seat beside him and promptly fell
asleep.
Among the other passengers were two
New York drummers, who relieved the
tedium OF the night by frequent tips from
black bottle. One of the two soon fell
asleep, but the other, who evidently pos
sesstd more formidable capacity for
stimulants, chung to the bottle till his
wandering gaze attested his condition.
lust as the train passed Avon the drum
mer who was awake suddenly emitted
howl and graspcd his companion by
the shoulder.
Great heavens, Charley, did you see
that /? he asked in terror, as he crept up
on the car seat with both feet.
ugh" remarked Charley, nonchal-
antly, half opening his eyes.
"Wake up" the other went on terri
fedly. There's a snake under the seat.
think it is snake, anyhow, and want
you to tell me whether it is or not"
"T'll wish SNAKE" said Charley, with
one eye entirely open. You got EN-
Luke. Toll you what'd happen if you
didn't quit"
Don't kid me. Charley" said Luke,
imploringly. Wake up and see him for
yourself"
But Charley by this time felt yielding
substance passing over his shoes, and
4. &c Ia ha
casion and joiedn Luke on the top of the
car seat. Aroused by the noise, the other
passengers rubbed their sleepy eyes and,
once awake began making jests at the
expense of the terror-stricken drummers.
II thought them fellers would be seein'
things aiore long," remarked a farmer
"Snakes is so common" put in an
other. why don't you spring croco'
die or two on us?"
"Well, | never saw man with the
rams before" a third began, but just
then he felt something crawling over his
feet, and with snort of fear, he crept
up on the window sill.
One bv one the other passengers joined
in the minority on the car seats till at
length a vote on the snake question
would have resulted unanimously in the
affirmative. The sleepy brakeman, who
was doing near the stove finally awoke,
and, catching glimpse of dark object
wigglirg aross the aisle carpet he opened
the door with whoop and disappeared.
The brakeman told the conduct or that
a snake was loose in the forward car
and that official went to the car door
demanding:
whats the matter in there? You are
.spolin' them seats. Git down."
There's a snake loose in here" came
back the unanimous response. "Come
in and catch him. That's what you get
your salary for"
Catch your own snakes" he retortt d
angrilv at the wild eyed drummers. II
amt in the snake collecting business"
Despairing OF succor from this source,
the passengers turned their attention 10
their own number. BY this time there
was but one person in the car who was
not up on his seat, and that was the
man with the box, who still slept peace
fully in his corner. All sorts Of devices
were tried to wake him up. Hats, news
papers, and books were tossed at him
and finally well directed umbrella hit
him in the eye and made him jump to
his feet with an oath.
Great blazes," he roared. as he rubbed
his injured eye, and caught glimpse oi
the passengers standing in their seats
ais his branch Office Of lunatic asy-
lum. or simply gang of drunken fools p
Get up on your seat" he was adjured
"There's snake loose in the car"
"Snake loose" he exclaimed. "Guess
it's my Jim. Rather is he? About five
feet long? Yes, that's him. Had him il
the box, you know, but he must have
crawlyd out while was asleep"
you're an thermal idjit," shouted tn,
farmer. "l'll have the law on you"
Throw him out"
"Put him of"
squash The old tame snake"
The man who owned the box silenceC
the outcrv with wave of the hand.
Gentlemen" he remarked. "1'n
sorry this isn't tame snake. hut as ;
matter oil fact, he still has his eye teeth
and you'll find him ready tor business
Better stay up on your seats till INT
him."
Slowly and methodically he prodde,
under the seats till warning rattle 10
Gated the frolcsome Jim. Then, reach
ing recklessly under the seat, he grasce
and hauled out hve-toot RATHER, whic
he lugged back to the box in the corner
After securely clamping the box. he sa
down again and quickly fell into doz'
One by one the passengers came dow
from the car seats. but few could slice
while the threat, ming box was in tn
car. When Springfield was reached tn
man with the box woke up and Starte
for the door.
"Sorry my Jim disturbed you, gentl
men," he called back from the platform
"Fact is, forgot to say he is only to
snake made up largely of spring an
India rubber. One simply winds tt
spring and he will crawl around till he
run down. II ! had time Id explain Il,
ingenious device which have just pa
ented. But get off here. Au revoir. "
After that the silence was not broke
until the train reached Marlin me
York Sun.