The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-03-14

defend her friends method, and sc
taking refuge in a piece of sententious
ness. "Run away. now-run away
with i: at once
Master Jack departed very unwill
ingly, and not without an appealing
look at Mrs. Mornington, who, he evi
IDENTIFY thought, should have come tc
his assistance: but instead of taking
any notice of him, she merely smiled
at me.
'Do many deaths occur from snake
bites?" l inquired of Tom.
ooh, yes, among the natives,' he
answered, carelessly; 'but the Euro
peans are scarcely ever harmed by
them. AS a rule, CATERS are sulri
cient protection in walking through
the Jungle l remember one singular
death, however. A man who had been
in Ceylon for many years was
awakened one night by very large
grass snake falling upon his breast
through hole in the ceiling, and
though he knew it wasn't venomous
he must have died almost instantan
cously. Failure of the hearts action
the doctor said
"What do uu think of,Iia Fanny?
| exclaimed, but on turning to look at
her, found that she had disappeared
This was vexatious, for there is some
thing particularly pleasant Growing
over the co2matism of womankind.
"Shc went into the drawing room a
few moments ago explained Mrs
Harter. 81 shouldn't be surprised il
she were up to some mischief. never
knew such a girl as she is
So l went back to the old subject.
'Snakes must be horrible nuisance
worse than devil-birds," said to Tom
"Do you ever find them about the
bungalow-inside, mean?"
"Frequently,' he replied with 4
laugh, as though 1t were a matter o
no Importance. "And now I'll tel
Won of a wonderful instance Of self
possession that came within my OWL
experience. It's a good story for you
my GIRL" he added. nodding at Amy
who bushed of course.
At this moment Mrs. Mornington
returned to her chair, and soon after
ward Master Jack favored us with bis
presence. Struck by the quietness ol
his manner | looked at his face. Ii
wore an expression Of lofty Importance
coupled with certain slyness which
made it only the more obvious. Clearly
Master Jack had been engaged in some
transaction cf which lie had reason to
be proud.
''Somc years ago resumed Tom
after the little commotion had subsid-
ed, IL was dining at a bungalow not
many miles from here. My hostess
was fine handsome woman-a born
duchess-but the wife Of 4 civil SER
want. Tie dlancr was excellent | re.
member, but when it was about over,
| was startled to hear ber tell the SER
want to place bowl of milk on deer
skin near her chair. Although she
spoke as calmly as | am doing now,
knew at once there was snake some
where in the room, for they prefer milk
to anything else. AS hasty move
ment might have meant certain death,
we all sat like statues; but for all that,
my eyes were inspecting every corner,
and l even contrivcd to get a sidelong
peep under the table. However, it
was not until the milk was placed up.
on the deer skin that the snake appear.
ed. And then, to our amazement, a
large cobra uncoiled itself from Mrs.
Dash's ankle and glided toward the
bowl, when of course, it was immediate.
ly killed. But just fancy the nerve of
the woman, though she tainted when
the thing lay dead upon the floor. How
many could have remained motionless
under such circumstances
II couldn't for one,' | frankly adj
mitted. Not even course of Fanny's s
lessons would enable me to reach such
perfection"
"Oh! you may laugh now, you hor-
ribly sceptical person" she said, with
a smile that seemed to be reflected in
Jacks impudent face. But wait-oh,
yes, wait and see. You men are so
impatient. Amy dear, will you give
us some music before dinner. That
ought to charm away all your ghosts.
"Very we'll, Fanny" replied Amy.
And entering the drawing-room, she
began to play an inspiring waltz.
Now | am never ashamed to confess
that l ahominate every kind of noise,
but there is one thing to be said in ia.
vor of the piano-though it sometimes
jars upon the conversation, it is seldom
powerful enough to stop it entirely.
So being rather interested in the sub
ject of snakes, | was glad when Tom
went on.
"The natives declare that wherever
there is Il mango tree, there is sure to
be a snake, the foliage is SO dense that
they can easily hide in it. I'm de-
lighted that the horse-kecper killed
that fellow though, for | had hen sit
ting upon a dozen eggs, and this morn
inp wo foun1 her dead and oOnp Prob.