Show banishment OF THE SNAKES favorite legend that concerns st patricks power reptiles prop ariy punished A favorite legend describes the miraculous banishment of creeping things from the emerald isle As tha story goes st patrick called bis con gre gatlon together by the beating ot a big bass drum which was usually carried before him to the hilltop where preaching was held on one occasion it was beaten with such inspiriting vigor that the snakes crept out ol 01 thel holes to listen and the ardor ot the drummer was such that it aurit the drum the congregation was dismayed by the accident and particularly horrified at the sight of a black snake wriggling down the hill wibb an irreverent leer in his eyes and his snaky body shaking with laughter at once an angel swept from the clouds and repaired the drum and the snakes of ireland passed un der the ban forever emerson the joy of the spirit andl cates its strength |