Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

     Mr. Sam Gentry, living in the adjacent county of Stewart, has in his possession a purse made of the tanned skin of a rattlesnake, which he caught and killed under the following circumstances: In going along a wheat field he came across the snake lying at full length before him, manifesting no disposition to retreat or attack, and apparantly waiting for something to turn up. Mr. Gentry, who is a practical mesmerist, concluded to try his powers upon the dangerous reptile before him, reasoning that if a snake can magnatize a bird, why cannot a man, endowed with greater mesmeric power, put a snake under his power and will? Taking his position at the side of the dangerous but quiet subject, he made quick undulatory passes with both hands from the head to the tail, and in a few moments had the satisfaction of seeing the snake completely within his power, charmed, magnetized, mesmerized which it may properly be called. Placing one of his hands in front of his subject, it immedlately crawled on his arm, then over his nack to the left, Gentry in the mean time continuing his mesmeric passes. He then carried the rattlesnake home on his arm, when under his directions, one of his sons opened his mouth and unfolded his fangs, the snake quietly submitting to the novel operation. After fully satisfying himself and a number of his neighbors, who were present and witnessed the affair, of the truth of his theory, he cast the snake to the ground, killed it, stripped off the skin, tanned it and made himself a purse, which he has carried about his person ever since.-Trigg County Democrat.