Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-08-04
PLUMED SERPENT OF THE WELL
Wherein a Clever Boy Outwitted a
Cunning Old Reptile.

Indian village OF Mani IL Is butt on
The site oil great city of the same
name, the ruins OF which are now
mounds OF sculptured masonry over
grown with trees.
Al the corner Of one OF the "ulage
streets us a well from when opens a
vast cavern extending, the natives
say, many miles toward Merida. Steps
lead down the Site OF the we'll 90 the
mater anu iIom the pool at the bottom
,ha indian women bring tne water in
s.eat jars on tner heaus.
the natives viii not venture far
uto this great cavern. Tor somewhere
u the depths. tines say, still turks
he Mother of The Dwarf of tXmal.
In the long years be.ore Christie
phcr Columbus. when Nam was rich
city and lucatan was part oi power
oM9irc. This odd wuAAa having
aAde her son governor of The city of
small retired from the spIendors OF
Is court and travelled many a weary
nil. tim she came TO Mani. where she
took mp her abode in the cavern.
I'm the cavern she Ret a big serpent
with a plumed head. Under "A large
rec hy tine side OF river that ran
thrJugh the cavern she used 10 sit
witt the serpent for hours at a time
Oue day SIZE said to the serpent
TIA, she was very fond OF children
so am 80 replied the serpent with
A eir look in his little eyes for
satins"
The old woman was Mortified at
irst but finally she became SO fond
If the serpent that she agreed TO
arlo him 10 his favorite fool. SO the
,ll woman went into the city and
OH the governor that hereafter the
water OF the well VOL be soil not
fer money but for a child. II the tri-
butte was not furnished then the biz
serpent would come out of the cav
I'm and eat up the people who came
fOr water
There was great grief in the city
Mani when the heralds went about
roclaming he demands of the old
woman The rich would not give up
heir children. and when the officers
1f tie government tried 90 e1e mon
lie children OF the poor there was a
ut. AMI the people chased the COVER
oor back TO his palace tearing his
pl,udid cloak and knocking off h."
ur od head dress OF gold and gems
: the GOVERNOR summanei hs
uar IS about him and -hu, him II uf
IN s. palace. the ruins of which Won
mas 500 ID ttis day. W." the pri at
orr.,d .opal before their idols, ana
De- people went about In much dis
res~ for want ~ water.
Things went on this way for three
lass for nobody dared to visit The
ven where the great planned serpent
lay in wait for them.
On the morning Of the fourth da'
here appeared at the governors nol
ice a beautiful boy about fourteen
ears old He was dressed Ike th'
poorer class If CITIZENS and wh0u o.
governor saw him he exclaimed
What DO YOU here? Are YOU cone T.
lay me-" NO excellence replied
ne boy. Il am come TO offer myself
food for the serpent
Good" cried the Governor Cool
rring rich food and rich clothes. Yor
han feed we'll yourself before Won are
cod for the serpent
The boy whose name was Pante
nit. was quickly dressed in the
-nlendid clothes of Young n"''o
man. and eagerly attacked the fOot
which was set before him. for his
mother was a poor widow. and it was
seldom that he had all be wanted 10
eat.
Then he went at the head ~ e.
srert procession TO the mouth OF the
we'll while all the inhahtouts Of Man
Nroool hles sing upon him
over his shoulder. Pantemit had
large bag. filed with something so
reav, that il was difficult TO carry
hut he refuset' all assistance
H descendei into the well and
walked down the great cavern until
ne came 10 where the old woman sat
'oiiar the tree bv the ri'.'~ nth the
~reat plumed serpent at her side.
"Ah" cried she. when sh ~ pro
emit approaching, here comes your
'irncr."
Then. as the boy stopped at a it'll
'istonce she aetc1. VOL. do the
PEOPLE want t. buy water?"
Eyes answered the boy and then
~ said 10 The serpent: Shut VOW
owes and open your mouth and ! VII
aiye you a meal you will long remem
her"
The serpent did as he was bid
P9ntemit taking a great round ston'
cow his bag threw il DON - crea
lures throat The OH wrrn"n hegar
20 scold and as soon "- 'Ne serper
recovered from his surpri =" mad"
spring for Pantemit with ''s nov
omen But the boy. i"rn'o" esi'
throw another cobble stone down t.
serpents mouth. and SO they had II
all around the tree. the serpent tryinr
20 get at Pantemit and Pantemit. ev
cry time the creature opened his
mouth. throwing a cobble stone int
II
stop, stop" cried the old woman
You will spoil my serpents digestion