The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-07
A Snake Charmer
Tells Trade Secrets

An industrious snake charmer rehesrsing
behind the scenes OF an East Side hall
paused bong enough in his work the other
day TO let out some professional secrets.
He made no pretense 70 hypnot tic power
over his sinuous fellow performers, but
said that eve rything lay in a close acquatnt-
ance with the snakes, After that snake
cha rner must be a person Of eternal vigi-
lance.
He could never be quite sure what a snake
would do. The snake that he had handed
hundred times with perfect safety might
turn on him the hundred and first time.
One indication was especially to be trusted.
A snake, like a cat, shows It's anger by
slow movement Of the tail. When the tail
be gins TO wag the snake charmer must put
aside the angry serpent and fetch out
another II his lit o turn is to be done With
safety.
This particular snake ohArner was
especially sldlful in the handling Of pythons-
The python, aoco riding to his account OF
the matter. being a constructor. is usually
held to be non-veno nous, but the bite OF
the python IL to be avoided when the snake
Il shedding his skin.
At that time the python IL blind from
film that comes over the eyes, a film that
is she'd with the cast-oh skin. In this oon-
dition the creature IL extremely nervous
and sensitive, easily provoked 10 anger
and somewhat venomous.
At other times the python Is 70 be feared
for the blow he strikes. IL Is like the hck
OF a mule and no man can stand up against
IL. The python strikes a man in the breas,
oil near the waist. II he Is disabled by the
blow the snake may coil about him and do
him mortal harm
The snake charmer found II necessary
for success In his business 10 keep three
pythOns and, as they cost from 500 70 500
each, the business required some out ay Of
capital. He could not safely work With
strange snakes. With three pythOns vhoee
temper he understood he could be pretty
SURE Of always having at least one 10 work
with.
He had to study the condition Of q make
before undertaking 10 exhibit Il. The
snakes were fed every two weeks. and the
snake charmer found that Il was unsafe
TO handle them much until three or four
days after their meal
In the early stages Of digestion they re
quired quiet, and II disturbed were likely
20 diHRorge what they had eaten. Il u a
serious matter TO lose a meal when meals
come two weeks apart. Sometimes
snake would die from being disturbe1
too soon after feeding. II was not difficult
TO replace a snake, FOR New York "a a.
excellent snake DArket, but the loss Of
python was q serious matter nanciai.y,
and a new snake had TO be studied oeforr
il could be publicly exhibited.
The important thing in picking UP a snake
was first 10 distract his attention. This
was commonly done by holding a cloth o.
front q the creature. Instantly the ewes
Of the snake were fixed upon the cloth anc
then was the moment for the snake charmer
to seize IL.
he must take firm hold just behind the
head and not far enough back 20 permit the
snake TO turn upon him. after that the
snake charrner must be wary. Eeutle, ana
ready upon the slightest sign Of the snakes
anger 10 put the creature back W his cage
aud get out another. ..------...