TRICKS OF THE CHARMER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13048, 13 December 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

TRICKS OF THE CHARMER.

While the' barker outside, the Coney showwas bellowing to the crowd that the snake charmer within had a h.ypnotic eye that cowed the venomous reptiles,into submission the sturdy personage herself was telling a curious visitor some of . the. tricks of.' ; the trade."'. .:■'.--.'. \ ' " : - '.'The only secret of the. gaipe.," she said, "is to attain a fondness for lay loathsome pets and, a knack, of handling them without arousing their anger. W|eh irritated they show it by a slow movement or the tail .after the manner of a cat. Indeed snakes have many other . feline characteristics. When this occurs I have to- put the ; snake back in the cage, for the- qaick tightening of the muscular coils when iplace the python around my neck would beneath to me.,-'; ; . "■"..;-" ■.-. : ;'■■;,-■ ■ ;•■■ : "'■7-| ; ,: ' .v.; ■ ;'.' For ' this reason I have to ..have'four or more pythons, which represents an|invest- : merit of over two hundred dollars' ipiece. .The main reason, however, is thafi, these constrictors eat only once every twelveldays, and then they go on the sick list for several days during digestion. \ _ "Where help is always handy the pyfon is not to be dreaded by a skilled performer. Still, the i.blow- that an;; angry . snake; deliver on the chest is a triple extract yf the shocks administered by 'Jim' Jeffries a Missouri mule, and a", racing automobile If the python could, follow, this up by coil ing about the body my .bches would-.'be re? 'duced to jelly in short" order. "...." '-. 'a v "Sly biggest constrictor is now on - the;l sick list, as it is now dangerous' and veno-'; mous. The big fellow is now totally blind, ' for ho is shedding the film or skin from his ! eyes, and he will strike out i.t the slightest] provocation/In a abort while this reptile will have a new pair of eyes am.l bo my star, performer."