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About The Athena press. (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 11, 1910)
A WILY ORIENTAL Guile of a Tricky Native Snake Charmer In India. GATHERED IN THE SERPENTS. It Was No Trouble to Him to Luro tho Reptiles Into Hi Basket, and the Supply Was In No Danger of Giving Out and Losing Him a Job. Among tbe numerous objectionable and dangerous creatures peculiar to tbe orient none Is more repulsive tban tbe snake. One shudders involuntarily as one thinks of its wiggling body and vicious characteristics. During my residence in India I never felt safe from its presence. I bad my closets, bed and even my bathtub searched ev ery, day lest one should be found coiled up In some corner, writes Eliza K Van Dcrgen in the Christian Intelli gencer. I was always on the watch for the creatures and ever In mortal terror of trending on one. It never occurred to mo to sleep without a light, and a Btlck was always near at hand lest I might find one unawares and be un prepared to meet it. I. even looked upon my thin mosquito curtain its a plight protection, for it would at least break its fall should a snake tumble down suddenly from the celling. The creatures have a decided pref erence for cool, damp places and often choose the bathroom and sometimes the tub for their habitation, much to the discomfort of its rightful babltue. It is not unalloyed bliss to live in a place infested with serpents. With such formidable enemies, one never forgets to be cautions, nor to guard against their presence and sudden at tack. It makes one alert to be in the midst of danger and adds spice to life. Well, as I started out to say, my garden was Infested with snakes, and , I was persuaded to have a native charmer summoned to lure them away. Ills hideous occupation, weird Incantations aud strango pets sur round the snake charmer with a pe culiar fascination. Ills magnetism and skill are considered phenomenal in tho cast This specimen was tall and lank and had deep, cavernous eyes and an ab stracted air. Some of tho creatures were colled around his wrist, which made him still more rcpellnut. lie handled them as if they were per fectly harmless. About the neck bo wore a chain with n flute attached. Two other Jugglers accompanied him, similarly attired, but minus tho snakes. Ouo carried a closed basket ou his arm. - lie stopped at a respectful distance to mako bis "salaam," which is the customary salute of the country. Then ho approached the aloe hedge which Inclosed my grounds, squatted himself tailor fashion on the grass and began to produce weird, plaintive sounds ou tho flute, to which music tho reptiles entwined themselves around him and seemed to sway their bodies to and fro. After some time a Bnake appeared, gliding slowly and stealthily out from tho heclgo toward tho spot whore it heard tho enchanting music. The charmer allowed it to come quite close and to wind Itself around his arm. Another followed and yet an other, whllo tho other two men stood by holding a basket ready to receive them as soon as they unwound them selves. At least a half dozen ap peared and were disposed of in this manner. After being captured they appeared as if In n stupor. Horrified with his performance, I bogged him to stop and bado him leave tho place. lie assented and, picking up tho basket, departed with tho snakes without ever ceasing to play his uncanny tune. Ills compan ions gathered up tho rest of his be longings and followed him. I paid a certain sum for each snako thus dis patched. He came repeatedly thereafter and went through tho same performance, conjuring up more reptiles and dispos ing of them in the same way until I began to suspect some trickery. IIo refused to allow the snakes to bo kill ed, insisting that they were sacred and must not bo put to death. It looked as if ho rcplnced tho snakes In th hedge after removing them, and thus ho multiplied their number and in creased his gains. 5 1 was finally forced to have him re moved by the pollco and threatened with punishment in order to keep him away. Nothing would pcrsuado me to permit one of the fellows to enter my premises again. MEASURES ALTITUDES. The Use of the Barograph on Aero planes and Balloons. What the compass is to the mariner the barograph is to the aviator. The barograph Is an Instrument for meas uring altitudes. The pressure of the air as it Increases or decreases causes a delicate needle to trace a wavy line upon a cylinder which revolves by clockwork. This line indicates not only the exact height that is reached by the aviator, but also the speed at which he Is traveling. The barograph is kept in a weather proof box with a glass front, which is attached to a bar of the aeroplane or to a rope on the balloon. It is official ly sealed before the aviator embarks, so there is no possibility of tampering with it, and the seal is taken off in the presence of witnesses at the end of the flight In this way It is possi ble to establish absolutely and graph Icallv the altitude which an aviator attains in his aeroplane or balloon, It is necessary for the aviator to watch the barograph constantly, as it Indicates a change in the elevation al most to the foot. The sky pilot has to keep his eye on the Indicator much as the man at the wheel of the seagoing ship watches his compass. Should the aeroplane or the balloon rise or fall ten or twenty feet the aviator would not be conscious of it unless he looked at the wavering needle tracing its permanent record on a chart before him. This tells him Immediately of any changes in the nature of the air currents and gives him timely warning of aerial Hangers. These instruments are so delicate and so accurate, it is said, that a man might hang one of them about his neck in Its glass case or carry it in his hand and climb a flight of stairs, the height of his ascent being graphically Indicated by the Inked needle on the machine. New York Press. A CAREFUL MAN. "ri His Indecision In the Matter of Em ploying a Doctor. The parsimony of the old New Eng lander of the type now almost vanished was nobly exemplified in Mr. Benny Huntingdon, who lived with his maid en sister In a little town In western Massachusetts. Neiher had ever spent penny unnecessarily and when ia his old age Mr. Benny became crippled with "the rheumatlz" and had, as well, strango flutterings of the heart, which were unrelieved by the best recom mended "yarb teas," they were greatly shocked at the suggestions and warn ings of their friends and neighbors that they ought to send for a doctor. Mr. Benny refused, declared his scorn of the entire medical profession and continued to save his pennies. But tho pain grew worse. Mr. Ben ny was confined to his bed In great agony and overheard some of the neighbors telling his sister that he was going to die. Then he sent for an old schoolmate, a man as "careful" as himself. "Joslah," ho asked, in a low, confi dential tone, "have you ever had a doctor?" Joslah shook his head. "Dunno as I have," he answered. Mr. Benny reached out and laid a trembling hand upon his old friend's arm. "Joslah," ho asked again, "did you ever hear how much one o them doctors charges for a visit?" Joslah looked at his suffering friend with pitying sympathy. "Well," he said, breaking it as gently as he could "well, I have heard, Benny, that they chargo as much as $2 a visit!" "Two dollars!" Mr. Benny repeated. "Two dollars!" Then he sank back on his pillow and sighed in a voice of strangely mingled relief, regret and resignation, "Well, I dunno but I'd rather spend $5 than die!" Youth's Companion. Amply Qualified. Troud rareut If you would win my daughter, young mau, you must prove to my satisfaction that you have forti tude, patience under discouraging cir cumstances, strength of character, courage, an indomitable will to suc ceed and. above all, an ability to bear with nilsfortuue. Have you those qual ifications? Suitor I've known your daughter for some time, sir, aud am asking you for her hand. Do you wish other assurances? Good Cause For It "A friend of mluo who visits that newly married couple saw the husband tho other day throwing stoucs at his wlfv." . "flood hwivt'us! Was she hurt?" "Not a bit of It. Sho was Just tickled t death. Tliey were diamonds," Itnltlmor American. Nvr Wt familiarity exclude respect. Yiuilttirfch. The Licorice Plant The licorice plant resembles n rose with a single green stem, reaches a height of about three feet and bears a small purple star shaped flower. The first year's root growth resembles a loosely twisted string of tow and may run to twentyjTeet in length. The sec ond year It assumes a woody sub stance when dry, and the third year It acquires its commercial value. The time for digging the root is the win ter, when it is dried and crushed un der heavy stones drawn round on It by mules, much as olives are crushed to extract their oil. Queer Kaffir Custom. Kaffir women will not pronounce their husband's names or even use words which contain tho emphatic syl lable of those names. One old woman, being taught to say the Lord's prayer, changed the word from ."come" In "Thy kingdom come" to something that made nonsense, and it proved that the proper "come" word was the main syllable of her husband's name. Proving His Contention. "Jones is an optimist, even in the most discouraging circumstances, isn't be?' "Why,' uo. Ilia mother-in-law Is slightly Indisposed, and he thinks there's no hope for her recovery." "Well, what did I tell your'-Cleve-land Leader. Chess In Ancient Ceylon. In auclf nt Ceylon the gnme of chess was placed with local variations pe culiar enough to note. The king may not cast! e, but he is permitted to jump like a knight till checked. The pawns are exchangeable on the last row for the plec es on whose row they stand. Thounb. the world may owe every man a living, only the persistent col lector s jets It NOTICE TO CREDITORS. In tbe oounty court of tbe state of Oregon for Umatilla oounty. In tbe matter of the estate of Louis A. Gitbens, deoeased. Notice is hereby given to all whom it may concern: That J. D. Plamon don has been appointed administrator of the estate of Louis A. Gitbens, de oeased. All ' persona having claims, against the estate are tequired to pre sent them, with proper vouohers as required ty law, to mo at my offloe in Athena, Oregon, within six months from date hereof. Ctated this, the 8rd day of Novem ber, 1910. J. D. Plamondon, Homer I. Watts, Adminislriator. Attorney. Now is the time to lay in your win et supply of everything to wear during Jarman's Big Sale at Weston. A Good Position Can be bad by ambitious young men and ladies in the field of "Wireless" or Railway telegraphy. Sinoe the 8-hour law beoame effeotive, and since tbe Wireless companies are establish ing stations throughout tbe country there is a great shortage of telegraph ers. Positions pay beginners from $70 to $90 per month, with good ohanoe of advancement. Ibe National Tele graph Institute of Portland, Ore., op erates six official institutes in America nndei supervision of It. B. and Wire less officials and places all graduates inuo positions. It will pay you to write them for full details. Five cent tablets will sell 2 1-2 oeus at Jarman's Big Weston. for only Sale, at THE MOST SCIENTIFIC Professional S. F. Sharp PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Special attention given to all calib, both night and day. Calls promptly answered, Offloe on Third Street, Athena Oregor G.S.NEWSOM.M.D. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Calls answered promptly night or day". Office in Post Building; Residence op posite M. E. Church. PETERSON & WILSON Attorneys-at-Law Athena, Oregon. - Pendleton, Oregon WATTS & NEAL - Attorneys-at-Law Athena, Oregon. - Freewater, Oregon JOS. C. BAD DELE Y, D. V, S. Proprietor of City Veterinary Hospital 703 Chase Ave. :: Phone, Main 34 Walla Walla, Wash. Will make calls to othena and Vicinity wmmmmz WATCH To be . had in the County H H Hill, Jeweler, Athens. TROY LAUNDRY For GOOD WORK HENRY KEENE, Agent, tt I THE I ST. NICHOLS HOTEL . E. FBOOME, pbop. Only First-class Hotel in ; ! t the City. i r THE ST. NICHOLS U tbs ot)ly one $la can accommodate commercial traveipf i ,'an beieoomended for lis cln and J well ventilated rooms. COB. MAIM AND THIRD, ATHKMA.Or. 0 OFFICERS F. S. Le GROW, President, H. KOEPKB Vice-President, ED. E. KOONTZ, Cashier, E. A. ZERBA, Ass'L Cashier. DIRECTORS a'. EOEPKE, F. S. Le GROW, s J. WILSON, E. E. KOONTZ ' M. L. WAITS. 1 Fl MTIOsML I OF ATHENA CAPITAL STOCK. $50,000. .... .SURPLUS, $85,000 . The wolf never dares to come up to tbe door that has a bank book behindit. It is tbe only way the average man can be sure of keeping him oft. Every man owes it to bis family to provide suob protection and keep it as strong as he possibly can. J. Parker ISaaii9ttiiiii mih 'i 'fx n 1 Everything FIrtit Clns - Bio d ern aud ITp-lo -date SOUTH HPf MM SOT ATHENA w&9 Where are you going Wvj ' myprejj mmmmm oih4 for- . v--- Athena AUTO Livery J. G. Bryan, Proprietor. PRIZE WALL, PAPERS 1 J These famous patterns are handsomer flfeMi ra -"ijzJr 8n better made than those of any JralsHc b, These famous patterns are handsomer ana better made than those of any :her manuIZC'urer. Jhey consist of all pradaa tram tho most inexDensive Kicbn., an-1 D4d lioem gaftara to itd ghgjgest Halls, I. T)r iinff T?nom anrl" Parlors. ranreeaHnar a fl suk of pver,OpO,ecp foils.' - 'B I;oa 't buy eld shop worn goods when ft WB CAN SAVB YOU 80 PER CENT, on any one of our 00 patterns manufactur ed expressly f 01 ,. spring ORDERS TAKES FOR ORB ROOM OR A WHOLE HOUSE, DESIQNS AND COLORINGS EXCLUSIVE. fStfP I C i t v M eat RH a r kef I Repairing a Specialty Reasonable Rates. Special Attention Given to Commercial Travelers. Night and Day Service. We sell Lubricating Oils and Gasoline. MARION JACK, Pres. M. L. AKERS, Sec-Treas. A. F. MAY, Manager. Pendleton Iron Works We Make all Kinds of Farm Machinery to Order and We Guarantee the Goods Repair Work on all Ksnds. of tTWachinery a Specialty Structural Iron Casting and Foundry Work The Sherwin-Williams Bath EhaueL Is just right for the purpose. Withstands the effects of hot and cold water. Makes old bath tubs look like new S'W. Bath Enamel wears well and is most economical. Put up in large or small cani. Colon root! suitable for the purpose. WM. JAMJESQN, Prop. NORTH SIPE OF MAIN STREE? The Best Meat to be foudd in Town. Come and see me. I will treat yoir right. WM. JAMIESON, ATHENA, OREGON Third Annual snow NATIONAL APPLE SPOKANE - - WASHINGTON will be held NOVEMBER 14 to 19, 19X0 20,000 in Premiums T h greatest variety of prizes, cups and trophies ever offered. Prizes for single apples, boxes and everything up to full carloads will be awarded $1,000 Championship Carload Prize For tbe best cat load of 630 boxs or bushels. A floor spaee ef three and one-half aores required to house this great show. Besides the exhibit of apples, apple growers, paokers and ccokers will learn and gain valuable information. om pa ny WM. McMURRAY General Passenger Agent, : PORTLAND, OREGON