The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-07-21
THESH0WMAN 0UTWITTED,
A Sketch Of the Primitive Menagerie
The menagerie was in town.


A rare occurrence was an exhibition
of the wild beasts, lions, tigers polar
bears. and ichneumons in Baltimore. at
the early day of which we were writing
yet they came occasionally; and this
time were visited by old Nat Wheatly,
Jolly. weather beaten boatman, well
known n Baltimore as an inveterate io-
ker, who never let any one get to the
windward OF him.
Nat VISITED the menaserie.
AS he entered the show man was stir
ring up,he monkeys and tormenting the
lions, giving elaborate descriptions of the
various propensities and natural peculi-
aritles of each of all.
This, ladies' and gentlemen, this, I
say, Is the African hon A noble beast
he is, ladies and gentlemen, and is called
the king Of the forest. | have heard
that he makes nothing OF devouring young
creatures, of every description, when at
home in the woods Certain it is, that
no other beast can whip him.
Mister interrupted Wheatly, 'do you
say he can't be whipped
Il duz,' sa,dthe Snowman
What'l you bet that can't fetch a
ciittur that II whip him.
Il amt betting man at oil. don't
mind to take a small be, to that effect
III bet | can fetch something that III
whip him. What do you say TO hun
dred dollars'
Now there were several merchants in
the crowd who knew Wheatlv well. and
were fully convinced that fhe bet he was
sure of winning So he had no difficult
ty in finding hackers, one of whom told
him he would give him ten gallons of
rum if he won.
The menagerie man glanced at his IL
on. There he crouched in his cage. his
shaggy name bristing and his tail sweep
ing, the very picture Of grandeur and
majesty. The bribe was tempting and
he felt assured.
'Certingly SIT, I have co objections to
old Hercules taking bout with any
creature you can ietcn.'
Very well. It's bet
The money was pIanked up, and the
next night was designated for the terri
bic conflict. The news spread over Bal
timore, and at an early hour the boxes
of the spacious theatre were flled-the
pit being cleared for the ARRAY.
Expectation was on tiptoe, and it was
with impotence the crowd awate ed the
arrival of Wheatly. He at length enter
ed. bearing large bag or sack upon his
shoulders which as he let it fall upon
the floor, was observed to contain some
remarkable hard and heavy substance.
The keeper looked at it with indigna-
ton.
There SAID Nat, pointing with his
finger to the bag.
well, what is it, asked the man with
increasing establishment.
That, ladies' and gentlemen said Nat,
gestlculaung like Snowman, lis wham
hamper
A whimbamper,' echoed the keeper,
that's certainly new feature in zoolo-
gy and auatomony. A whimbamper,
Well, let him out and clear the ring. or
old Heracules may make mouthful of
both of YOU
The keeper was excited.
Accordingly. Nat raised the bag, hold
ing the aperture downwards, and rolled
out huge swapping turtle, while the
cheers and laughter Of the audience
made the arches ring.
There he is, said Wheatly, as he tilt
ed the whimbamper over with both hands
and SIT him on his legs The snapper
seemed unconscious of his peril.
The keeper was about leaving the
room, when he swore that his lion should
not disgrace himself bv fighting such a
contemplate foe
Very WE'LL said Nat, 'if you choose
to give me the hundreL.'
sBut IT'S unfair, cried the sh owman.
The audience interposed and insisted
on the fight. There, was no escape and
the Snowman reluctantly released the Ii
on making himself secure on the top of
the cage.
The majestic beast moved slowly
round the ring, snufhng and lashing,
while everybody held his breath in sus-
pense. Lions are preying beasts, and
this one was not long in discovering the
turtle, which lay on The asor huge and