Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-05-14
Our Biz ShnR.

/
an exhibition of our big show in this issuo Of
our,paPer, We append the following Incident
connected with Van Amburgh's menagerie.
We will guarantee the enterprising cat col.
leetor iifty cents head, If he will only bring
a load Of cats and turn them loose among tho
radicals at Shepherdstown- particularly il he
will empty ten or a dozen Of the LARGEST. and
most vicious in Mayor Chspline's Office -
The thriving town Of Richmond, en-. one
| day recently was the scene of a sensation and
catastrophe. The sensation was caused bY
the advent Of Van Ambwgh e Cos Mars
met -l4enagarie- !4lis cals1 IL I,l. fitf.
| pose to describe
On the day in question, an immense crowd
had been attracted to see the living giraffe.
and other wonders of the menagerie. The
caravan had made its grand procession through
the streets; the tent had been erected. and n
throng of expectaut sight-seers were gathered
around the entrance, awaiting the opening of
the door. Just then an odd looking ge5ius
drove up to the lot, seated upon a rickety
lumber wagon, carefully boarded over. drawn
by pair of spawned, wind CALLED, dilapidated
steeds, and eagerly enquired for the manager,
Upon that person making his appearance, he
was saluted with:
cats -
"a load of what ?" said the astonished
manager.
ga load of cats to feed your lions on"
''To feed our lions on The deuce Won
have. We don't feed lions ON cat meat, tbev
eat nothing but the best beef"
"Sho, know better than that I've read
in the papers that cats are the fayurite food of
lions. Besides, I've got a contract with your
agent, for load of 'em with revenue stamp
onto it, and guess you can't go back on that"
Saying which, the cat merchant produced
greasy slip of paper, which read as follows:
RICHMoND, Oct 5, 1866.
"Ihis contract witnesseth that have this
day contracted with Simon Wiggius to fur
nish load OF cats to feed the lions on, for
which you will pay him the Hereinafter prices
to wit: For A l. Prime Cats, 70 cts. for
Store Cats so cts.
JONAS BUNG,
Cat Agent Van Amburgh s. Cos Mena-
gerie. To the Menagerie."
"My friend, said the manager. after read
ing this document, 'you have been imposed
upon, L do not know any such person as
Jonas Bung, and don't want any eats"
"YOu lie; now you know you lo''-re.ort
ed Wiggins, With irnperturbable good humor.
you arc only trying to beat me down and
get 'em cheap. I've got a prime lots Of
'em. just look at en- ana hastily descend
ing from his perch he commenced showing at
the tail-board of his wagon, to ALLOW the man
ager chance to examine his load. Bv his
nervousness, however, he managed so awkard-
ly that the board dropped completely out, and
with terrible sPuttering his entire load of
cats sprang into the crowd, A score of
worthless ours that were on the ground, made
a dash for the cats, and away they went. he'll
ter skeiter, among the throng, upsetting wo-
men and children, and creating dire cenfu>
sion on every side. Towards the town the
streets were filled with people proceeding to
the menaSeric, who seeing the commotion.
and hearing the shouts at once imagined some
terrible accident.
Ihe next instant rumor spread through
the crowd that the Royal Bengal tiger was
loose, and a scene ensued that berr5rs de-
scriPtion. EVERY one for himself and the
devil take the hiRdermost," was the motto
acted on, and general stampede followed in
which an astonishing display of agility was
made. People ran into houses and bolted
their doors; ladies in tilting hoops performed
extraordinary exploits in the way of climb
ing fences, and what with sputtering cats.
yelPing dogs, screaming women and howliDr
children, it really seemed for awhile as +
Bedlam had broken loose and taken posses
sion of the streets of Richmond Ina short
time the truth of the matter became known.
and the excitement quieted down But Mr..
Virgins refused to be comforted for the over
throw of the great expectations he had built
upon his cats, and disconsolately drove out of
town, muttering terrible vengeance, il he
caught him, upon the depraved individual
who had palmed himself off as a scat agent
of Van Amburgh & Co.'S menagerie"