The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-09-17
A GRAND EscAPADE OF CATS.

The thriving town of Richmond, Qll, y one day
recently was the scene of a sensation and catas-i
trophe. The sensation was caused by the advent
of Van Amburg q Co.'S. Mammoth Menagerio.1
The catastrophe we propose to describe: - Ss@t@
On the day in question, an immense crowd
had been attracted TO see the living giraffe, and
others of the menagerie. The caravan had made
its grand procession through the streets; the tent
had been erected, and throng ofexpectant sight
seers were gathered around the entrance await
ing the opening Of the door. Just then odd
looking genius drove up to the lot, seated upon
rickety lumber wagon, carefully boarded over,
drawn by pair Of spawned, wild CALLED, dilapi-
dated steeds, and eagerly inquired for the mana
ger. Upon that person making his appearance,
he was sauted with. i.s' 9t "'.H s'3'st 11-
'.Hallo, Squire, I've brought you aioad Of catsi"
ga load of whal!" asked The astonished manager.
"a load of cats to feed your lions on" '4a.~
ITO feed our lions on! The 1uece you have.s
We don't feed lions on cat meat, they eat MOTH
ing but the best beef" sts1 2" H'l'-"7
'fSho, know better than that; I've read in the
papers that cats are the fayorite 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 60 back on that" Saying
which, the cat merchant produced a greasy slip
of paper which read as follows: 1 81 apa
RICHMOND, Oct. 9th, 1867. y.
"This contract witnesseth that have this day
contracted with Simon Wiggins to furnish a load
of cats to feed the lions on, for which you win
pay him the hereinafter prices to wit: For A L c
Prime Cats, rs cts. {; for Store Cats 80 cts. A,- =
. .D@ ..s' a =. JONAS BuNG,
Cat Agent Van Amburgh. & Co.'S. Menagerie.. 7
To the Menagerie" -.+''' -'a p.
any fr1end," said the manager, after reading
tie document. "yor have been imposed upon. I
do not know any such person as Jonas Bung and :
don't want any cats" 81 81 n sa1 'f Ef
"You lie; now you know you do"-retorted
| Wiggins, with imperturbable good bumof, .you
| are only trying to beat me down and get 'em
| cheap. I've got prime lot-seyenty five OF 'em.
| Just look at EN- J." and hastily descending from
! his perch he commenced showing at the tail
board of his wagon, to allow the manager
chance to examine his load. BY his nervousness,
however, he managed so awkwardIy that the
board dropped completely out, and with terri
bic sputteriDg his entire load of Gals 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 throne.
1 upseitng women and children and creating dire
confusion on every side Towards the .owu the
streets were filled with people proceedingto TO the
menagere, who seeing the conmotion, and hear
ing the shouts at once imagined some terrible
accident. -sz -e1 ..s ..--- - : .t Il.
The next instant ramor spread through the
crowd that the Royal Bengal tiger was loose.
and scene ensued that beggars deAcriptioe.
Every one for himself and the devil take the
hinderr,ost," was the motto acted on, and gen.
eral stampede followed, in which an astonishing
display of agility was made. People ran into
houses and 5olted the doors; ladies in tilting
hoops performed extraordinary exploits in the
way of climbing fences, and what with sPluttenr
ing cats, yeping dogs, screaming women and.
howlipg children, it really seemed for awhile a.
If Bedlam had broken loose and taken possession
of the streets of Richmond. 10 short time the
truth Of the matter became known, and the en-
citement quieted down, But Mr. Wiggins re-
fused to be comforted for the overthrow OF the
great expectations he had builtnpon his cats, and
disconsolately drove out Of town, nuttering ter
rible vengeance, if he caught him, upon the de-
prayed individual who had paImed himself OF as !,
''cat agent of Van Amburgh d Co. 'smenagerie.2