The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-10

and TEA Few Side Lights.
Special Correspondence to The Tribune
Susquehanna, Sept. S.-Farmer Bill
Branning's pet rattlesnake is the chief
curiosity of the Deep Hollow slashin'.
Last spring, while Branning was
blasting blue stone on the mountain,
a big rattlesnake was blown high in
the air by the discharge of powder.
The rattler was badly injured, but
Branning took 1t home, placed 1t care
fully in a box of cotton, and was glad
to see it gradually recover. When the
stage of convalescence was reached,
the reptile crawled about the door
Yard, and in a few weeks ventured to
come into the home. 1t was dubbed
"Pete," and it became a household pet.
The snake appeared to be grateful for
all the kindness and care bestowed
upon it, and in many ways tried to re-
pay it's benefactors. 1t will amuse the
baby for hours at a time by shaking its
rattles and twist itself in fantastic
forms to make the little one laugh.
One day in July big blacksnake
crawled into the house and was about
TO attack the baby in the cradle, when
"Pete" came quickly to the rescue, and
after a severe struggle succeeded in
killing the intruder Occasionally
pete will crawl into the cradle, cod
die down close to the baby and doze
for hours. 1t has killed all the rats
and mice on the premises, and it is a
terror to tramps and peddlers. A few
nights ago, Farmer Branning and his
wife were awakened by the furious
rattling of the snake, which had
crawled upon the bed and was terribly
excited. Branning Immediately de-
scended the stairs and discovered that
barrel of rubbish had caught fire
and threatened to destroy the house.
pete" had discovered the flames and
given the alarm. Branning has been
offered good stiff price for his pet,
but it is not for sale.
PSALMUEL AS A FLOATER.
Easily the most prominent feature in
the recent Peace Day" parade in
Montrose was Editor Psalmuel More,
of the Great Bend Plain-Dealer, on a
float, representing the signing of the
Protocol" Psalmuel had quite tussle
with the committee in charge of the
parade. At first he wanted to don a
hustle and some store hair and repre-
sent Columbia" but the committee
was obdurate and refused point blank.
Then he said he was willing to repre-
sent either Samson Carrying Away
the Gates" ajax Defying the Light
ming" columbus Discovering Great
Bend" "Rienzi Addressing the Rum
ones" or almost any old thing. The
hard-hearted committee said if he
would find partner they might pose
as signing of the Protocol" Then
the committe rigged him up with a pen
about four feet long and told him to
look wise and hang to the wagon for
dear life. He was the cynosure Of all
eyes, and he kept the crowd guessing
what he represented. Some are guess
ing yet. Quite a number of people
thought he was Admiral Cervera while
an old lady from Rush was willing to
bet pair of socks that he was one of
the Pilgrim fathers. He created more
excitement than a living lion let loose
In the streets. 1t required the COM
bined efforts of sixteen constables to
Keep the crowd from upsetting the
loat In the lurid language of the
circus poster, the spectacle was worth
going miles to see. 1t was a glorious
day for Psalmuel!
SUNDAY HAPs AND MIsHAPS.
The Village Improvement society is
preparing to improve. 1t never will
die for lack of something to do.
In Lanesboro, on Monday night, a
barn belonging to Mrs. j. Van Horn
was destroyed by fire, together with
the contents. The origin of fire is un-
known. Insurance, s215.
A horse belonging to George Ranlett
and buggy belonging to Mr.. Grifflths
were stolen from a barn in Brushville
on Monday night. They were recovered
on Tuesday at Clark's Green.
A horse was stolen in Uniondale on
Sunday night.
The Lewis family reunion will be
held on Saturday in Riverside Park.
Lanesboro.
Miss Annie Kennedy, of the Oakland
Side, is gradually recovering from her
self-infiicted injuries.
On account of Labor Day, the Erie
shops were closed on Monday.
The schools of this place reopened
on Monday, with large attendance.
Hon. and Mrs. Amos j. Cummings
of New York. who have been summer
ing at Columbian Grove, have returned
home.
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.
The Great Bend -Hallstead gold seek
ers returned from the Klondike coun-
try, rich-in experienced
The shades Of evening daily fall ear
Her over the earth, an unmistakable
evidence that summer is departing.
Many people in this world are busy
gathering together a handful of thorns
TO sit upon.
The life mission of black ant is not
fully accomplished until il has crawled
down girls back at a picnic.
Mr.. Lauder, Binghamton man, has
invented door latch that does away
with the door knob. Binghamton never
will be satisfied until one of her citiz-
ems invents keyhole that doesn't re-
quire key.
1t has been remarked that "a girl
never marries her ideal" One reason
is that she seldom finds him, and when
she does she doesn't like him, Another
reason is the material man is so dread
fully unlike the one of her Imagination
II women have such influence to
make great men out of their husbands.
why don't they make great men out Of
their brothers and fathers? There is
plenty Of rough material lying around
IN ALL SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
ID. w. Wright, of Lenox, takes time
by the front horn and announces that
next year he will be a Republican can
didate for sheriff And there are others.