The blak snaix iz the only one i kno ov who kan klimb a tree without
boosting, and take the yung birds out ov their nests oph from the
topmost limb.
They are az handy in a tree top az a yung munkey, but are not pizon tew
bight.
They hav a festive way ov choking things tew death by making a cravat ov
themselfs around the thruts ov their victims.
I hav herd ov wicked children being killed in this way, but never knu a
boy who tended Sunday skool regular, and who want sassy tew hiz
grandfather, and who didn't eat enny green apples, and hav the stummuk
ake in consequents, to get choked bi a blak snaix.
Wicked little boys, who pla marbles on Sunday, and who say "_Go up, old
bald hed_," and who put kittens into tar barrels will make a note ov
this.
The blak snaix iz about 5 feet in length, and sumtimes haz a white ring
around hiz nek.
There iz very little poetry in snaix ov enny kind, untill they git their
heds smashed, and here iz just whare the poetry comes in.
There ain't much poetry in me, but if I waz called upon tew write an
obituary notiss for the whole race ov snaix, who lay dead in one pile, i
would take oph mi coat, rool up mi sleeves, and saliva mi hands, and
rite sum verses that i wouldn't be ashamed ov enny how, for i should
expekt the solemnity ov the ockashun would help me out ov the skrape.