The Shasta courier., 1867-01-05
Escapade of Cats--Rich Story.

The thriving town of Richmond, (Ill.,)
one day recently, was the scene of a sensa-
ton and a catastrophe. The sensation was
caused by the advent of Van Amburg d
Co. IS Mammoth Menagerie. The catastro-
phe we propose to describe:
On the day in question, an immense
crowd had been attracted to see the living
giraffe, and the other wonders of the menag-
erie. The caravan had made its grand pro-
cession through the streets the tent had
been erected, and throng of expectant
sight seers were gathered around the en-
trance, awaiting the opening of the DOORS
Just then An odd looking genius drove up to
the lot, seated upon a rackety lumber wagon,
carefully boarded over, drawn by pair of
spawned wind Called dilapidated steeds,
and eagerly inquired for the manager
Upon that person making his appearance, he
was saluted with:
Halo, Squire, I've brought you load
of cats ~ A load Of what?" exclaimed
the astonished manager. g A load of cats to
feed your lions on" '' To feed our lions on
The deuce you have. We don't feed our
lions on cats meat they eat nothing but
the best OF beef Sho! / know better
than that, I've read in the papers that cats
are the favorite 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 90 back ON that" Saying
which, the cat merchant produced a greasy
slip of paper which read as follows:
RICHMOND, October 9th 1866.
This contract wtnesseth that | have this
day contracted with Simon Virgins to fur
nfsh a load of cats to feed the lions on, for
which you will pay him the hereinafter
Cd A Drip,a
Cats, ) cts. for Store Cats, so cts.
JONAS BUNG.
Cat Agent Van Amburg & Co.'s Menag-
erie. To the Manager.
''My friend" said the manager, after
reading this document, you have been i'm
posed upon. | do not know any such person
as Jonas Bung, and | don't want any
cats"
- You lie; now you do, you know you do'
retorted Wggins, with imperturbable good
humor, you re only trying to beat 9 me
down, and get 'em cheap. I've got prime
lot-75 Of 'em. just look at 'em !''-and
hastily descending from his perch, he COM
meneed showing at the tail board of his
wagon, to allow the manager chance to
examine his load. Ia his nervousness, how
ever, he managed so awkwardly that the
board dropped completely out and with a
terrible sputtering his entire load OF cats
sprang into the crowd.
A score of worthless ours that were on
the ground, made dash for the cats, and
away they went. helter skelter, among the
throng, upsetting women and children, and
creating dire confusion on every side. To-
wards tue town the streets were filled with
people proceeding to the menagere, who,
seeing the commotion and hearing the
shouts accompanying it, at once imagined
some terrible accident. The next instant a
rumor spread through the crowd that the
Royal Bengal Tiger was loose and a scene
e.'sued that beggars description. Every
one for himself and the ID take the hinder.
most was the motto acted on, and a gem
eral stampede followed, in which an aston
lshing display of agility was made. People
ran into houses and boltcd their doors la.
dies IN fitting hoops performed extraordinary
exploits in the way of climbing fences, and
what with sputtering cats. yelping dogs,
screaming women and howling children, it
really seemed for while as if Be am had
broken loose and taken possession of the
streets of Richmond
In a short time the truth of the matter be-
came known, and the excitement quieted
down. But Mr.. Virgins refused to be COM
torted for the overthrow of the great expec-
tations he had built upon his load of cats,
and dlsconsolately drove out of town, NUT
tering terrible vengeance, if he ever caught
him, upon the depraved individual who had
pamed himself off as 8 cat agent of Van
Amburgh's S Menagere '-F0n du Lac Press.