Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 December 1876 — A Fool-Hardy Man Goes to Sleep with a Boa-Constrictor. [ARTICLE]

A Fool-Hardy Man Goes to Sleep with a Boa-Constrictor.

Sam Johnson, of this city, formerly a Deputy Constable, came very near losing his life lately, and if he had there would have been a general, expression that he tempted his fate by an exhibition of singular fool-hardiness and a strange contempt of the mpst ordinary prudence. For some time Johnson had the care of an immense snake of the boa-constrictor species. This sweet boon was left in Johnson’s charge by the proprietor Of one of the side-shows that was with Howe’s circus on its late visit to this place. The snake had been sick, and fearing that it would die if it was carted about from place to place, its owner made an arrangement with Johnson to take care ®f it until such time as it should be sent for to again appear in the exhibition. Bam has paid all needed attention to his snakeship, and the huge boa has quite recovered from his illness under his considerate and careful attention. Johnson had tried to establish friendly relations with the snake, and flattered himself that he had succeeded very well. Two or three nights ago, when the" weather turned so suddenly and severely cold, Johnson found that the boa was benumbed with cold and apparently half dead. With a strange disregard of consequences he took the half-frozen snake from its box, and placed it in his own warm bed from which he had risen. He then returned to bed, intending when the snake should revive from its chilled and benumed condition to replace it in the box. Unfortunately Johnson fell into a doze and then into a deep sleep. From his sound slumber he was awakened by a horrible sense of suffocation about his chest. He awoke to find himself in the terrible coils of the boa constrictor, which had been warmed into life and fury in Johnson’s bed. The unfortunate man comprehended in an instant his fearful danger. Great drops of sweat started to his brow as in an agony of horror he realized the nature of his peril. With the energv of despair he grasped the snake with both hands, and with almost superhuman strength, and in a manner he can scarcely recall, succeeded at last in uncoiling its hateful folds from his body, dragged the struggling boa to its box and safely secured it m its old quarters. A severe nervous attack succeeded the fright and "horror the strange combat had occasioned, and not another wink did Johnson sleep that night. He can congratulate himself that he escaped so easily, and that his senseless temerity did not receive the fatal punishment it invited. — Kansas City (Mo.) Mail.