Year: 1860




We have heard the particulars of a won-
derfuI case of snake fascination from an au-
tlientic source, which we will briefly relate,
however much they may shock the sensi-
bilities Of the delicate portion of our readers.
There is residing on Monroe street, near
the eastern line OF the city. worthy family
by The name of Davis, the head of the fami-
ly being employed in nursery. Mr.. and
Mrs. Davis have daughter two years of
age, who has become attached 10 a snake,
which came in the yard from an adjoining
field a few days since, and has become so
much under the influence OF the reptile that
II appears 10 think of but little else The
snake and the child first met, no doubt,
while the latter was at play in the yard
near the house, but just how long since, the
parents do not know. One day Mrs. Davis
found the snake in The arms of the child,
and the little girl was fondling it as she
would kitten. The mother was naturally
much alarmed by the apparent peril in
which she saw her child, and seized stick
to destroy the reptile. The snake retreaied,
showed lis tongue, and Kissed at the mother.
The child cried, and begged so hard of It's
parent 10 desist, that she allowed the snake
to retreat to lis hiding place.


Ii soon became apparent that the little
girl thought of little else but her compan-
ion, the snake, and would return 10 the yard
liz search of il as often as she was allowed
10 do SO. Under the fascination OF this rep
tile, The child-a very pretty little girl-has
begun TO decline, and now weighs but ei2h-
teen pounds. Respectable physicians were
consulted, II is said, and advised that no
violence be use toward the snake, as il
might prove fatal 10 the child. How many
meetings the child and the snake have had
we are not positively informed, but we in
! fer that they have been frequent. When
they meet they rush TO each other with all
the apparent emotions of iriendship aud at
tachment that can exist between two living
beings. Oaly yesterday Mrs. Davis came
| 10 the city with The little girl, and when
she returnd The party left in charge OF The
house informed her that the snake had been
more bold than usual, and had actually
been upon the steps leading 10 the door.
awiting the appearance of the child.


AS 10 the size and variety of this reptile
we are not advised. We suppose however
il is one ofihe common brown wood snakes
which are regarded as harmless and which
seldom attain length of more than three
feet.


This affair has attracted the attention of
The neighbors of Mr.. Davis and many have
urged that the child be allowed 10 play
with the snake for their amusement but
this has been denied we understand. The


parents feel much alarmed and desire to
remove their little girl from the. fascinating
influence of The snake without prejudice 10
her health and exstence. They have been
told that it is dangerous 10 take any sudden
step in the matter and have mol yet done


nything to avert The consequences they
fear.


Our informants are men who are reliable
and who have conversed with the family


and have seen the child referred 10. They


represent the parents to be worthy people


and the child 10 be a pretty one, brigh, and


intelligent but evidently in declining health.
Rochester Union.