The man with a snake in his hat.
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Dr. Dixon, in his New York Monthly Scalpel, states that a gentleman of the highest veracity related to him the following snake story, which beats anything we have read lately:
Going into a very public ordinary for his dinner, he was surprised to observe the extra care with which a gentleman who took the seat opposite to him took off his hat; he turned his hat as nearly upside down as possible without breaking his neck; then placing his hand over the inside of his hat, he again turned it, and received its carefully guarded contents, concealed by a pocket handkerchief, in his hand; then gently laying the back of his hand on the cushion, he slid the hat and its contents off and commenced dinner.
The attention of my friend was irresistibly directed towards the hat; and his surprise greatly increased, the reader may well imagine, on observing the head of a sizable snake thrust out and looking sharply about him. The gentleman perceiving the discovery, addressed him:
‘"My dear sir, I was in hopes to have dined alone and not to annoy any one with my poor pet. Allow me to explain: He is perfectly harmless — only a common black snake.
I was advised to carry him on my head for a rheumatism; I have done so for a few weeks, and I am cured — positively cured of a most agonizing malady.
I dare not yet part with him; the memory of my sufferings is too vivid; all my care is to avoid discovery and treat my pet as well as possible in his income confinement.
I feed him on milk and eggs, and he does not seem to suffer.
Pardon me for the annoyance — you have my story — It is true.
I am thankful to the informer for my cure, and to you for your courtesy in not leaving your dinner, disguised"’
