The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-31

II Was No Trouble TO Him to Lure the
Reptiles Into His Basket, and the
Supply Was In No Danger Of Giving
Out and Losing Him Job.
Among the numerous Objectionable
and dangerous creatures peculiar TO
the orient none Is more repulsiye than
the snake. One shudders Involuntary
as one thinks of its wlggling body and
vicious characteristics During my
residence In India never felt safe
from its presence had my closets,
bed and even my bathtub searched ev-
cry DAY lest one should be found coiled
up In some corner. writes Eliza Il
Van Bergen In the Christian Intelli-
gencer.
was always on the watch for the
creatures and ever I'm mortal terror or
:readlng on one. II never occurred to
me to sleep without a light, and n
sick was always near at hand lest ]
might find one unawares and be un-
prepared to meet II. ! even looked
upon my thin mosquito curtain as a
slight protection, for It would at least
break its fall should a snake tumble
down suddenly from the ceiling.
The creatures have a decided pref
ercnce for cool. damp places and often
choose the bathroom and sometimes
the tub for their habitation, much to
the discomfort Of its rightful habitue
II IS not unalloyed bliss TO live In a
place infested with serpents. With
such formidable enemies. one never
forgets to be cautions, nor to guard
against their presence and sudden at
tack. Il makes one alert to be In the
midst Of danger and adds spice to life.
Well. as | started out to say. my
garden was infested with snakes. and
was persuaded to have a native
charmer summoned to lure them
away. His hldeous occupation, weird
lncantatlons and strange pets sur
round the snake charmer with a pc
cullar fascination. His magnetism
and skill are considered phenomenal
IN the east.
This specimen was tall aud lank and
had deep. cavernous eyes and an abb
stracted air. Some Of the creatures
we're colled around his wrist. which
made him still more repellant- He
handled them es II they were per
fectly harmless. About the neck he
wore a chain with a nute attached.
Two other jugglers accompanied him.
similarly attired. but minus the
snakes. One carried a closed basket
on his arm.
He stopped at a respectful distance
to make his "saIaam." which Is the
customary salute Of the country. Then
be approached the aloe hedge which
inclosed my grounds. squatted himself
tailor fashion on the grass and began
to produce weird, pIaintive sounds on
the 1ute, TO which music the reptiles
entwlned themselves around him and
seemed to sway their bodies to and
fro.
After some time snake appeared
gliding slowly and stealthlly out from
the hedge toward the spot where Il
heard the enchanting music. Tit
charmer allowed II to come quite
close and to wind itself around biz
arm. Another followed and yet an
other. while the other two men STOOD
By holding a basket ready to receive
them as soon as they unwound them
selves. At least a half dozen ap
peared and we're disposed OF In thii
manner. After being captured thel
appeared as II 10 a stupor.
Horrifed With his performance,
begged him to stop and babe bin
leave the place. He assented and
picking up the basket. departed witt
the snakes without ever ceasing &
play his uncanny tune. His compan
ions gathered up the rest Of his be
longlngs and followed him. l paid
certain sum for each snake thus dis
patched.
He came repeatedly thereafter an
went through the same performance
conjuring up more reptiles and dispos
ing of them in the same way until
began to suspect some trickery. II
refused to allow the snakes to be XII
ed. insisting that they were sacred an
must not be put to death. 1t locke
as II he replaced the snakes in th
hedge after removing them. and thu
be multiplied their number and II
creased his gains.
l was finally forced to have him RI
moved by the police and threatene
with punishment In order to keep hiI
away. Nothing would persuade me
permit one Of the fellows to enter m
premises again.