Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-07-25
Stltttta storp.
THE KIaG OF the TIGERS.

In the advertisements hn was Known
as the "Ki0g OF the Tiger" and he WAS
the principal attraction Ot tle circus and
menagerie. Il had been sa d. and truth
fully. that certain persons hsd followed
The show from city to city il anticipation
OF witnessing his desluc ion by the
fierce brutes. who seemed possessed
with 4 strange fear of this man. who
both cowed and controlled them.
The King of the Tiger" was one
who looked iii 10 be the mon arch OF men
as well as OF beasts His figure was tall
and robust. and his presenc2 command
ing. rendered moro SO by IN intensely
black eye and long aud i.ky beard,
the whole effect heightened by the fanci-
tul costume he wore when lie appeased
the public's appetite for sensation by
risking his life 10y entering The lair OF the
Royal Bengal tigers.
The season before he had met in his
travels rural maiden-a charming rus
,ic-aud won her heart In The autumn
they were wed, and no pen ran tell The
love she bore tor the tiger tanner, who
seemed in turn to worship his young
bride.
Soon the winters honeymoon passed
away. and the show once more setting
on, on its travels, the husband again
appeared in the famous roll OF the" King
of,he Tigers" The Young wife accom-
panied him, and although at first she
looked in dread aud horror npon his
appearance twice daily in the den oil the
beasts. she became accustomed TO the
sight. and herself seemed 10 lose Tear
OF the dangerous pets.
The principal eques,rieune OF the CON-
pauy was possessed OF = bold masculine
STYLE OF beauty. and seemed to receive
rather more attention from the liking
OF The Tigers" than wss 10 be expect
ed toward single lady from q mar
ried man. The rider had Travelled Tar
and near, appeared before crowned
monarchs and titled princes .snd although
her style OF beauty might be pleasing to
some, it was the red rose aud the MY
OF the valley in comparison with the tiger
,smer's rural flower.
Tue King OF the Tigers was strange
ly fascinated with the dashing rider ana
still his little wife noted not the TACT
even when he said one day. when he sat
with her at the rings ide watching the
star of the arens:
"Ifyou conld only ride like that
Day by day the beas, charmer became
more infatuated; none OF the company
were blind to this; all saw it except the
wife. The equestrienne knew it. too, and
seemed to present every Establishment
in her power to assert her supremacy
over his head aud heart.
/ Afternoon aud night the wild beast
tanner entered the den and fondled and
caressed the tigers, 10 the awe OF the a.
most breathless beholders, while his
little wife looked on at his triumph. and
often with a girlish glee Joined in the
applause which announced his exit IN
safety from the lair.
For the frs. time she realized that
there Was a growing GOODNESS on the
psr, OF her husband, and with the frank
ness and simplicity Of a child she asked
Have displeased you in any way"
81 am only vexed." he said, with the
same smile he was wont TO show IN the
,iger Gaze. .sthat the other women ABOUT
here seem TO show sn ability to do some
thing. Some dance. others ride and
and"
/ He hesitated and paused.
That moment the truth pierced heI
heart and almost crazed her brain II
was some moments before she spoke
and when she did, she said;
You took me from my home IN Tue
country & simple country girl, L kne"
nauOht of the world without. excep'
vbst [ read. | know that | am mol
brilIiant-no, accomplished; but but
love you :" -
And she buried ber face on LIS ooson
and wept as ii her heart would oreaA'
IL csressed her as he would one oil Dis
innyle pets, and lifting up her head said
Don't cry my baekwoojs beauty