Harlan: Snakes and Horses – Chapter 3 of 6
Photo (Web) This red sided garter snake along with hundreds of other species can be found by the thousands across the prairies. The snakes are great for scaring people.
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THIS STORY IS CURRENTLY BEING PROOFED AND UPDATED
Early Summer, 1949
One thing that is etched in my memory from our months in Harlan was the millions (perhaps trillions) of ‘garter snakes’ that thrived in the grass and bush land throughout the area. Most of these little snakes measured between 8” and 18” in length and although not poisonous, they could sit back, hiss and flit with the best of their forked tongue relatives.
While many people have a built in aversion to snakes (probably stemming from that incident in Garden of Eden), Stan and I had no such qualms. We took great pleasure in chasing down those slithering, twisting, hissing and flitting reptiles, grabbing them by the tail and putting them in a pail or box for ‘later’ use. That use usually involved chasing the girls at home and school.
I never lost my love for these little garters and was, one time later in life, expelled from school for a day for leaving a couple in the desk of a young lady to whom I had taken a fancy. Seems our friendship never moved forward after that little episode. Some girls just do not understand when a guy is trying to make a favorable impression.
Cousin Betty, of course, was no more understanding. I was sure that at one time Stan or I had sneaked up behind her and wrapped a snake around her neck and scared her senseless (well not totally senseless, she is OK today).
Betty has since told me I was wrong:
“I remember you and Stan and those stupid snakes and know you would have done something stupid like that if you thought you could have gotten away with it. You and Stan would never have dared, you were not that brave. Either I would have beaten you over the head or would have just told Warren. He would have given the two you holly whatever. Actually, the idiot who wrapped the snake around my neck was my step-cousin Richard Harwood.”
Just for the record, Betty was not the little saint she would have people believe. One time (before Harlan) when visiting Betty and Stan when they lived for a short period at Marie Lake, she, Stan and I were out riding one of the old horses. It was Stan’s turn to ride so Betty and I walked ahead. A little later we heard Stan coming down the trail so we hid in the bush beside the trail.
When Stan came by we jumped out and hollered “boo”. The old horse reared back throwing Stan to the rocky trail, breaking his arm. Not a good move and we both got it from Uncle Warren and Aunt Liz. I was only seven and Betty about ten, so I am sure she must have talked me into that evil deed. I would never, ever have thought of doing such a thing all on my own!
Betty remembered that incident well (it still burned in her buttocks I suppose):
“Warren always bought old horses to feed to those miserable mink that would bite you every chance they got. The mink normally ate fish but if they “went off their feed” as it was called, Warren had to feed them red meat and one of the old horses would bite the dust. I was not happy about this as I always made pets of those old horses and then they would end up being ground into feed for those miserable mink. It really upset me.”
Harold McNeill
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(1885)
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