A SNAKE IN THE GRASS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XX, Issue 1415, 24 December 1887, Page 4 (Supplement)

A SNAKE IN THE GRASS.

The day was bright and sunny, and the wind bad gone to f-lccp, And I had ridden many a weary mile O'er the open, through the forest, on theflat, and down the steep, Seated squarely in the pigskin all the while ; For my mare was young and tricky, she was buely rising three, Ami it took me all my time to keep her straight : Black as jet, and big, and bony, strong, and bandsome, freßb and free, Faith, she seem'd to make but little of my weight. As I crossed a little clearing, the station homestead nearing, She made a sudden plunge — <; Wo, steady, lass." Then together I her lifted — I wa3 very nearly shifted, And I saw the cause, a black snake in the grass. Was it chance or was it reason, you may argue as you please on Such a subject, ail I know is, Itkra'cknow, But as I there in was tightening, she struck at

it like lightning, And the reptile's head was crushed beneath the blow. She was wild with agitation, she was vest with perspiration, Her eyes distended, glowed like orb 3of light, She sidled sideways shivering, with chest and flank all quivering And her very mane was stiffened with affright. And my mare's instinctive shrinking from the reptile set me thinking How often through life's journey as we pass, Though bright and fair the day be, and open though the way be, We may come across a black snake in the grass.

'Tis a lesson worth the learning, that instead of weakly tnrning To fly when sadden danger may assail, Smite straight out from the shoulder, the better blow the bolder, The odds arc ten to one that you'll pre111 1 vail. ' Life is fair, and life is sunny, while you - plenty have of money, And the road you have to travel's strewn with flowers, But yet you must remember, that beaUJe the hot December, There are other months of cold, and gloom, and showers. To enjoy the pleasant season of youth's summer, is but reason And good sense, and yet I call the man an ass Who would idly lounge and dally, with each flow'ret in life's valley, Regardless of the black snake in the grass. By E. P, Whitwobth,