My Snake-Stick 



IT was not a wooden toy made in imitation 

 of a serpent, like one of those unpleasant 

 Japanese things ; nor a cane with a handle 

 carved like a snake's head; nor a cobra-hiding 

 bamboo-tube, such as Hindoo assassins use, but 

 simply a but wait a bit. 



Helen came into the house one day from 

 the other side of the creek, looking much dis- 

 turbed. 



" I have seen a copperhead," she stated, as 

 she set down her berry basket. 



" Nonsense ! There are no copperheads here ; 

 and you wouldn't know one if you saw it, any- 

 how," said I. 



"Wouldn't I? Perhaps I didn't learn any- 

 thing about a copperhead in New Jersey the 

 other day ! " 



I could not gainsay this remark. She had 

 been with a botanical party in the suburbs of 

 <*$ 82 5 



