Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-03-29
A Souvenir Of the
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By LATIMER }. WILSON

'lS By LATIMER }. WILSON S
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| ,@ 1891. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
The dawn drew aside her gray cur
tain and a necklace Of pearly clouds
hung across the sky dazzling tht
eyes Of Miss Liberty standing on hel
little island In the bay. Dark trans
ports and coast-plying ships were an
chored In the harbor when a long spic
and-span fabricated steel vessel, fresh
ly arrived from South American
ports. slid past and d0cked at hel
pier.
A short, bow-legged sailor, carrying
an oblong box, came ashore. His hall
was long, his eyes looked criss-cross
over the bridge Of his sharp nose and
his chin wore a Jungle underbrush Of
beard. AS straight as his seaworthJ
legs would convey him he went to one
of those small lodging houses near the
waterfront, deposited his box IN cor
ner Of the room that was assigned to
him by the red-faced landlady, went
to a barber shop In the neighbOrhood
and then took q subway train to
Harlem.
Later he advanced up the long
flights that led to the top floor Of @
tenement In q crOsstown street. II
was certainly an unconventional hour
for calling upon a lady. but Dave
knew his business.
Its me, Liz-can I come in?" he
shouted In response to the inquiry
that followed his knocking upon the
door. Instantly the door flung open
and two warm arms were around his
neck.
II was expectin' you, Dave. knew
1t must be about time for your boat
to dock" Then presently, after other
fond greetings, she asked II he want.
ed something to eat. A table was
spread and the two sat down to
breakfast.
The girl was not unattractlve in
appearance. Her hair was long and
dark. and her eyes were blue enough
to proclaim her descent from the
kings Of the Emerald Isle.
what dye think, Liz" broke forth
her flance with the energy that comes
| with a sudden idea. "Have you still
got the bug about acting on the stagel
I've brought what you asked for when
was. here last trip. and it's cor
ker," beamed the sailor with antici-
pated pleasure.
For a moment the girl seemed puz-
zled, then she grinned with pleased
surprise.
"You don't mean to say you've
brought me one Of them big snakes
from monkey landi I'd most changed
my mind since we talked about the
snake-charming business. That girl
up at Huber's didn't make near the
salary she pretended, I found out.
But. anyway, the stage will suit bet
ter than workin' forever In a laun-
dry. Where's your pet-got i'm in
your pocketT' she added with broad
grin.
IT left i'm over IN my room, but
I'll fetch I'm along tonight Now I'm
| thinkin' that we'll make a good thing
out of this here snake. It's one Of
them piethongs, or anacOndas, and
he's young enough to manage"
"Tm still thinkin' of maxim my day
boo In theatricals on the night that
amateurs goes on, they lets anybody
what's got a stunt to take chance
at gettin' the hook" said the girl. 81
amt got time to talk any more now
about 1t, but you bring your friend
over here tonight and I'll rehearse
with i'm"
In few minutes the two were
walking with the rush hour crowd
toward the subway. The morning
sun was beginning to cast warm rays
upon the pavement and the girl knew
that she would be late for work.
"rll tell you," suggested her part
ner, tonight you call In the crowd.
Get 'em all here and wen have a
regular dress rehearsal. Put on your
fimseys and well see how the act
takes. Cool air makes that snake
dopy. You can do anything with i'm
when he's cold. Wrap i'm around
your neck, put your head in his mouth,
just do anything" said Dave with
conviction. "Well make enough
money to set us up In style. You'll
give up your job and I'll quit mine
and we'll both 60 on the stage"
That evening Dave was back In
Harlem before the appointed hour.
He opened the box and permitted the
girl to look at the gift, the living SOU
venir Of the swampy jungle. Not
long ago he had basked hanging like
the moss from the low limbs above
the muddy stream Of the hot coun-
try.
81 had a time gettin' I'm" COM
mented Dave. zone Of the natives
brought i'm down the river and paid
a few bits and some tobacco to
change his owners"
"What do you feed itr asked
Lizzie.
"Why, l amt thought Of that" said
Dave. "Piethongs Is as economical as
goldfish. I amt given i'm bite since
I got I'm"
"Dave," said Lizzie calmly. IT amt
goin' to act with any hungry snake.
II he's hungry, like as not he'll try to
eat me-"
"No, he won't tell you. we'll just
keep I'm cool. That reptile don't want
anything to eat while he's cold"
The girl left the room to get ready
for the rehearsal. while the sailor vel.
coined the guests that were beginning
to arrive.
When the time arrived, the girl
stepped out from the next room.
dressed prettily in carnival costume
of deep red. Low neck and red stock
lngs were attributes betting the oc-
casion. Her manager came forward
and held up his hand.
Ladies' and gents" he said, "let me
introduce Lady Liza and her trained
snake straight from the Jungle. His
name Ii Ana, South American for Ana
! conda. He cats 'em alive. but he's