Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-01-26
Prank of u Mexican Tame Lion.

Prank Ofa Mexican Tame Lion.
This animal is what the naturalists call
Puma, Mexicans Lion, the Texans a
Mexican Lion. We saw a tame one the
other day-a splendid fellow he is, too,
with great, sleepy green eyes,a skin as soft
as velvet and beautifully mottelled, teeth
half inch long and sharp as razors,
claws over an inch in length, jaws four
inches across, limbs as finely proprotioned
as sculptor could desire, and as brawny
as any plowman's you ever saw, a chest
broad as a young colts, IL body as flexible
as a snakes. The fellow is playful, too
the only precaution to be taken is not to
put your hand where he can get hold OF
it. To look at him, one would think him
the gentlest of kittens, as weak and deli
cate as mouse but look at his old
cage, with thick timbers torn up as if
struck by lightning, will change this
opinion at once. Once or twice already
he has got loose in the big ware house
where he is kept, and such sudden dis
appearanCeof the human inhabitants there
of as then took place, was never before,
w itnessed. He did no harm, however
being mercifully inclined. This specimen
of what Texas can produce in the way of
wild animals, was when a cub, caught on
the Rio Grand by an officer in the army,
and was presented by him to friend of
his residing at Corpus Christi. He grew
up under charge of Mexican, who led
him about, without chain, and treated
him as he would favurite dog. The an
imal never attempted to harm his guard
ian, and appeared to have a decided aGec-
tIon for him.
Not lone since an acquaintance of ouys,
a Young man unacquainted with the ways
of the world, particularly the world of
Texas, was out on horseback in the prai-
ries, back of Corpus Christi, g looking for
what he could see" Presently, in NOV
wing along road, he came across one of
those low, odd, awkward looking things
called Il Mexican cart. 1t occupied the
middle of the highway; the oxen harness
sed to it were lying down quietly chew
ing the cud of animal reflection. Our adj
veuturer rode nearer and Just as he WAS
within few feet of the cart, up rose sud
denly tall, black, oil-skin covered, stre-
ple-shaped Mexican hat, and under it, one
of the stranGest faces that ever astonisheCl
Il stranger. 1t was no less an individual
than our '' lion," who had sprung up and
sat there on his launches, showing his
teeth in grim smile, and staring out of
his big, green, glistening eyes, in no plea
SAINT manner for person unaccustomed to
such adventures. Our traveller felt 'all
oyerish" down to his boots his horse,
frightened out of his wits, snorted and
reared, and pranced around, getting as far
out of the way of the cart as he could
The lion sat still, wagging his long tail,
and evidently enjoying the scene.
His appearance with the tall, queer hat,
was ridiculous enough still there was
something about him that made it more
natural to desire to get out of his neigh
borhood than to stay near and laugh at
him. Our traveller speedily regained his
presence of mind, and forced his horse
up to the cart. 4 mans head now rose
above the sides of the cart, and called out
in Spanish what the Senor wanted
Tha lions companion was his guardian
Mexican. He was going down to Cor
pus Christi to deliver him to his owner,
and at noon had stopped his cart and laid
down to take nap. The lions haunch
was an excellent pillow for the Mexican S
head, and the lions head a superior de-
posite for the Mexican's hat. So both had
gone lovingly to sleep together.
The Mexican lion no wise resembles his
African or Asiatic namesake. He is more
akin to the tiger. The one we have spo-
ken of above is the finest specimen of the
race we have ever seen. They are now
quite rare in Texas.--New Orleans Pic
Gyunc.