The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-06-12
So 90 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE.
TIE LION Ann .waIM1AMPKR.r

| the LION AND .Walsl1AMPkR."
| A rare occurrence was an exhibition ol
the wild beasts, lions, tigers, polar boar
and icbneumons, in Baltimore, at the early
day Of which We were writing, yet theJ
came occasionally; sand this time they wers
visited by old Nat Wheatley, q jolly, wealth
er-beaten boatman well known in Baltimore
as an inyeterate joker, who never let AM
one get to the windward Of him. -
AS Nat entered, the Snowman was stirrine
up the monkey and tormenting the lions
giving elaborate descriptions of the various
propensities and natural peculiarities Of each
| and all. && 2@ 9#zs# @ssa4s - a&t2 ~
ssThis, ladies and gentlemen, this, say,
is the African lion. A noble beast, ladies
and gentlemen, and is called the king of the
forest. l have heard that he makes nothing
Of devo curing young creatures of every de-
scription when ~ home in the woods. Ger
tain it is, that NO other beast can whip
him" q.
Mister said wheatley, 'do you say he
can't be whippedY '9s SOD saAt
4 duz,' said the man of lions and tigers.
'Whatll you bet ! can't fetch . critter
Whatu whip hlmP .-.sf, L.
Il ain't q bett:n man at all; but dom.
object to take asnall bet to that effect 81
ii'll bet l can fetch something that'll
whip him. What say you to hundred
dollars?'
Now there were several merchants in the
crowd who knew Wheatly we'll, and were
fully convinced that If the bet was made 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. f#E- @ a
The menagerie man glanced at bis lion.
There he crouched in his cage, his shaggy
name bristling, and his tai! sweeping, the
very picture Of grandeur and majesty. The
bribe was tempting, and he felt assured.
sCertainly, sir; / have NO objection to old
Hercules taking bout with anything you
may fetch.' - -
sVery well, said Nat. sIt's bet.' 500
The money was planked up, and the next
night was designated for the terrible conflict.
The news was spread over Baltimore, and
at IN early hour, the boxes of the spacious
theatre were flled-the pit being cleared
for the affray. Expectations were on tip
toe. and it was with impatiencs the crowd
awaited the arrival of Wheatly. He at
length entered, bearing large bag or sack
upon his shoulders, which, as he let fall
upon the floor, was observed to contain some
remarkable hard substance. The keeper
looked ut it with Indignation. .'.,
'There,' said Nat, pointing with his finger
at the bag. @.,S
sWell, what is it?' asked the man with
increased astonishment. 49,
THAT, ladies and gentlemen said Nat,
gesticulating like Snowman, lis whim-
bampero
"a whimbamper p echoed the keeper !;
sthat's certainly new feature in zoology
and anatomy. A whimbamper! Well let
him out and clear the ring, or old Her.
cales may make mouthful of both of you ,
The keeper was excited. Accordingly.
Nat raised the bags holding the aperture
downwards, ant. rolled. ont . huge swapping
turtle, while the cheers and laughter Of the
audience made the arches ring. 49,
sThere he is!' said Wheatly, as he lifted
the whimbamper over with his hands and
set him on his legs. The snapper seemed
unconscious of his peril. The keeper was
about leaving the room, and swore his hon
should not disgrace himself by fighting such
a contemplate foe. a ,-.. +. gaass -
very wei, said Nat, sf you choose to
give me the hundred. .,,...s.. 60,
sBut it's unfair cried the Snowman.
The audience interposed and insisted upon
the fight. There was no escape, and the
Snowman reluctantly released the lion, ma
king himself secure on the top OF the cage.
The majestic beast moved slowly arodnd,
snufing and lashing, while every person,
held his breath in suspense. Lions are pry-
ing beasts, and this one was not long in dis.
covering the turtle, which lay on the floor,
huge and inanimate mass. The hon soon
brought his nose in close proximity to it,
when the turtle, not thinking, popped out
its head and rolled its eyes, while sort OF
wheeze issued from its sayagerous mouth.
The lion jumped back, turned and made
spring at the critter, which was now fully
prepared for his reception. AS the lion
landed on him, the turtle fastened his terrihc
perfectly powerless to do harm; yet with
activity OF limb, he bounded around the CIR
Gle, growled, roared ana lashed himself, but