Part 16 (1/2)
”Not if you see things when you do it.”
”See things? Wot do you mean, Tom Rover?”
”They tell me that you imagined you saw snakes the other day when you were smoking.”
”You go on about your business! You played me a trick, that's what you did!”
”It's queer how cigars affect some people. They get nervous and think the end of the cigar is crawling,” went on Tom, earnestly. ”Now, if I was affected that way I wouldn't smoke.”
”Say, Tom Rover, I want you to understand--”
What the station agent wanted Tom to know was never divulged, for at that instant the cigar commenced to swell at the lit end and then an ashy-colored ”worm” commenced slowly to uncurl, reaching a length of a foot or more. Ricks took the cigar in his hand, held it at arm's length and viewed it with horror.
”It's another one of 'em!” he groaned.
”What's the matter, Mr. Ricks?” asked Tom, calmly.
”This cigar! Did-did you play this trick on me?”
”I don't know what you mean.”
”Look at the end o' this cigar.”
”I don't see anything wrong. It looks like a fine cigar, and it seems to burn well,” answered Tom, as soberly as a judge.
”Don't you see the-the worms?”
”Worms! Mr. Ricks you are dreaming!”
”Ain't that a-er-a worm?” shouted the station master, pointing with his finger at the thing dangling at the end of the cigar.
”Mr. Ricks, you must have 'em again,” answered Tom, and looked deeply shocked. ”You had better go and see a doctor. This cigar smoking has got on your nerves.”
”It ain't so! I see the worms! There they are!” And the station master poked his finger into the ma.s.s.
Now, as those who are acquainted with the fireworks known as Serpent's Eggs, or Pharaoh's Serpents, know, the ”worms” or ”serpents” are very fragile and go to dust at the slightest touch. Consequently when Ricks placed his finger rudely on those at the end of the cigar they were knocked off, and falling to the floor, were completely shattered to dust.
At this the station master started in amazement.
”Where are the worms?” asked Tom. ”I don't see them?”
”Why-I-er-that is-they were here!” stammered Ricks.
”Where?”
”On the end o' the cigar.”
”Then where are they now?” demanded Tom. ”Give me one, till I examine it.”
”Why they-they are-er-gone now.”