New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-04
THE HoopsNAKE SEASON OPEN.

The gayety of nations il is pleasant to OBJ
serve, is not to be impaired this summer by the
absence or paucity of any of its stock pabulum.
The sea serpent is automatically reported to be
just finishing a course of redecoration at the
'stfll-vext Bermoothes,'' and will presently put
in his appearance at a select number of water
ing places, resplendent in newly polished scales
and with a novel assortment Of Delsartean
curves. In the mean time, the inland season Is
auspiciously opened with the temperance of
classic friend the hoopsnake. This inter
esting creature it will be remembered, was well
known to the ancients who regarded him when
in his customary attitude-his body curved into
a perfect circle and his tail held in his mouth
emblem of eternity. The old Norsemen
believed that the great father Of all hoop
snakes thus belted the world itself. In later
years he has been put, out in New-Jersey. to
practical use, yet one not unworthy Of a COM
rade Of the gods to wit a hoop for the casks
wherein is contained that rare ambrOsia which
the irreverent call applejack, while elsewhere
he has been much employed as pneumatic tire
for bicycles
Such usage of the noble serpent has, how
ever worn somewhat upon his nerves. and he
has become irritable, and at times hostile and
vindictive toward the human race. His method
of pursuit of any who has offended him Is
well known. 1t is to erect himself upon his cir
cular periphery and roll after his enemy, on
overtaking whom he simply releases his tail
from his mouth, when his body straightens out
with great impetuosty and his iridium pointed
tail infcts stiletto-like stab into the heart of
his foe. 1t was in such fashion that young
woman was last week pursued in the suburbs
of Pennington, Del. She was, we are told,
gathering wild flowers near what is known
Hoopsnake Swamp-the snakes being SO
abundant there that the people Of Pennington
do a rushing business in capturing and selling
them for bicycle tires 1t appears that one of
the snakes recognized her as the cyclfst who
had used him as the tire of her front Wheel and
In century had badly punctured him, and
then, instead of properly mending him with a
rubber plug, had simply turned him loose to
mend himself as best he could, and had taken
one of his neighbors to fill his place upon her
wheel
With this provocation ranking in his heart
the snake gave chase to her. In her extremity,
knowing the impossibility Of keeping ahead Of
him, she jumped into one Of the wells with
which that region has been numerously supplied
for the purpose. The snake, following In her
path, passed directly over the we'll, striking the
curb as he did so and bounding high into the
afr, but, owing to his great velocity, did not fall
into it. Moreover, not being supplied with
proper brake, and never having learned the art
Of back pedalng, he was unable to stop him
self until he had got several miles beyond the
we'll The young woman meantime had fallen
straight into the we'll as to avoid knocking
against the sides of it in her descent. The water
mt thca bottom served as cushion to break the
force Tof her landing. And as while falling into
the well she heard the frogs croaking below and
was thus reminded of the presence of water
she was thoughtful enough to put goloshes
she escaped even the wetting of her feet. Her
calls summoned help from Pennington
which only a mile away. and she
taken from the we'll uninjured. Meantime the
snake had disappeared. But the well is still
there to convince the incredulous.
This, as VIE have said. most auspicious
opening of the season. 1t is understood that it
will be followed next week by National con-
vention Of men with live snakes in their stom-
achs.