Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-09-22
St. Louis Post Dispatch

Was the strange disguise OF IdtUe-
snake assumed by Cupid? Maybe it wasn't
Cupid himself, and let's hope it WASH I,
for the rattlesnake was killed. so IL
more likely Cupid, in search OF novel
means of accomplishing his purposes,
merely made the rattlesnake an end TO-
ward the union of two hearts.
1t is certain that the killing Of mon
ster rattlesnake a few days ago in Burli-
son county, Texas, wrought pleasing
change in the affairs of an ardent lover
who was eagerly seeking TO make Ia
vorable impression upon the father OF a
pretty girl whose heart he had alreaoy
won.
1t is a thrilling story, and one mat pre-
sents a feature that will doubtless inter
est scientists. Those who witnessed the
whole affair are now pretty well conVlnc-
ed that reptiles possess some mysterious
power that enables them, under certain
conditions, to paralyze the will power OF
human beings as easily as tney cIlaIln
birds and small animals. In THIS instance
the monster seems to have had complete
control of its victim, and there Is no
telling what would have happened II
help had not arrived at an opportune
moment. The RATHER is the largest OF It's
species ever killed in Texas. A portion OF
fits tail and probably several rattles were
DESTROYED in the battle that ended its hIe.
TUyenty-six rattles were found. The mead
less body was longer than a man VINO
stands full six feet. 1t was shot oy Rich
ard Farne, under circumstances well cal
culated to have unnerved the arm OF
veteran woodsman.
Snake Coiled In GirPs Lap.
when first discovered the monster rep
tile was coiled upon Miss Nellie Hightow-
The Young girl sat as II she was paral-
wed or charmed by the swaying mead OF
the horrible RATHER that was daruhs lts
a.-.af 1E hsaT
forked tongue within Few lnehes Oh her
face. -
his daughters peril. He happened to be
walking little in advance OF party OF
Young people who were strolling along the
shores of a little stream not Tar from q
camp occupied by several famihes VINO
were enjoying an outing. When Ihe oIu
Gentleman saw the horrible reptile. APP
1arentlv in the act of burying It's 1angs
in the face of his only daughter, ne sank
To his knees in voiceless terror.
The young girl was half reclining on
ledge of rock at the waters eoge' aooul
ten steps from her father. Her arms were
reared To be unconscious. though her
vide omen eyes were riveted upon the head
of the snake. One of the girls called her
nan1a softly. but she did not turn her
head, They were afraid to make any holse
for II looked as If the iHfuriated monster
was Just In the act OF utiNIAA5 -
fangs into it's victims hesn.
Men and women sank upon the ground
In hopeless fright. The agonized 1ather OF
the moor girl was about to rush FORWARD
with no weapon but his cane, when DICK
Tarne caught his arm. -,
"If YOU disturb the thing 1t Will pte
your daughter before you can strike IT,
he said. -,,.u,o-oa
the trembling father. Must sit here and
see nv daughter bitten to death by that
hideous monsters?
Dick thought that he could shoot the
snakes head off. Would the old gentle-
man be willing for him to risk a bullet
so close to his daughters face? He was
more than willing. "Be quick" he said,
"and aim well. Save my child's life. Dick.
For heavens sake shoot quick, boy, II
you love her"
A Feat RIvaIing William Tells.
Fortunately, Dick Tarne, is an accom-
plished athlete, and one OF the champion
rifle shots of the state. Before the fatner
had ceased speaking the young man nad
thrown his rife to his face and toucned
the trigger. The crack of the gun was
followed by a scream which caused the
anxious observers to fear, that the over
confident lover had wounded his sweet
heart.
Through the smoke they could see the
girl throwing her arms about Wildly as
she sprang to her feet. The bullet had
gone straight to the mark. and the rep
tiles head was niangled. Colonel High
tower was first to reach his daughters
side. and. while supporting her trembling
body with one arm, he rained blows with
his cane upon the squirming monster that
had attacked his daughter and caused
him so much agony.
Several moments passed before Miss
h ok q
although she was perfectly rational, she
acted during the remainder of the day as
If her mind was clouded.
Believes She Was Hypnotized.
Fortunately for those who fell an inter-
est in the often disputed mysterious pow
ers of reptiles the victim of the attack
is we'll educated. sensible young woman,
and she is able to recall every feature
and describe the peculiar sensations that
she experienced while the repulssve reptile
was gaining control Of her mind and par
alyzing the movement of her limbs.
II have certainly been charmed or hyp-
Noticed by a snake" says Miss Hightow-
er, land, although was surely in semi
conscious state of mind during at least
a portion Of the horrible ordeal could not
move hand or foot or command my voice
1 could plainly see the hideous monster,
and feel the rays from its glittering black
eyes burning into my brain, and knew
1t was drawing nearer and nearer my
face every movement, but I sat as one
under the spell of some horrible night
mare. / could hear my heart beat and
feel the hot blood running through my
veins, and often tried with all my power
to scream. but my voice died in my
throat"
Endured Horrible Torture.
According to this young girls story,
she must have endured one Of the most
horrible tortures that any mortal ever
survived. She says that she had linger-
ed behind a small party of boys and girls