The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-09-01

beasts, who at any instant might be to
him as fate. There was nothing to
especially awaken fear; and, half-vexed
with himself for having been needlessly
disturbed, he passed from the great
canvas into smaller compartment,
and found his wife and child waiting for
him-the one a young and beautiful
woman, and the other very fairy of
child, whose hair hung down upon her
back, as the brightest and finest of spun
silk.
81 am sorry, Joe," said the wife and
mother, as her husband entered, "that
you have consented to 50 foolish a perfor-
"Why, MayT and he looked most
earnestly at her.
Because the ordinary performance is
hazardous enough"
"Then you think this more SOP
don't know that it is" she replied,
having the utmost confidence in her hus-
bands ability; "but somehow / don't
altogether fancy having Inez taken into
the cage"
"You know my reason for consenting,
and that it would never have been given
had your assent not been frstobtained."
Certainly, and it was very good of
you, joe"
"That it was promised on account Of
my salary being raised"
| eyes"
And that it was to secure the rise of
salary, so as the sooner to accumulate
enough to buy little home against the
rainy days that may come"
eyes, my dear Joe; but"-with a
smile-"had not pride something to do
with it? That's the curse of the pro-
fession. Each one is always trying to
Guido the other-running risks on that
account they would not otherwise at
tempt"
"Well, May, only gave my promise
to do the act once, but even now will
give it up if you say the word / had
rather disappoint all the managers and
be called coward by all the rabble in the
world, than cause your heart to beat
with fear, or to bring tears into your
eyes"
I" No, no, Joe. Don't think have lost
confidence and pride in you No, don't
think of giving it up. l suppose / am
foolishly nervous. But you will be
careful, and not run any unnecessary
risk %
" My own heart would have to be
torn out before any thing should happen
to our darling;' and he stopped, raised
the child, tossed her up, caught, kissed
her and Rugged her to his bosom.
" But yourself, Joe 2"
80, I'll look out for number one"
The conversation did not tend to ease
his mind, and before dressing he went
out and held another conversation with
his particular attendant, and took
another look into the performing cage.
The animals were more quiet than
when he had seen them previously; the
lioness especially appeared in playful
mood, and, with something of a load
lifted from his heart, he returned, with
but little time remaining before he would
be called upon to prove his right to the
proud title of Lion Tanner.
And every inch he looked one, as he
stepped in view of the densely-crowded
assembly. Gorgeous in his new costume
and with look of calmness and de-
termination upon his face, he looked
with his tall and sinewy form, fit to
grapple with and overcome the fercest
beasts that ever prowled amid the
jungles of Asia and Africa, and made
night terrible with their roaring.
A burst of APPLAUSE perfect
tempest of huzzas and clappine
of hands greeted him as he swung
his little girl dressed in silver
tissue, and with the gossamer wings and
tiara of sparkling jewels around hel
golden curls, that represent the tradi
tional fairy, upon his shoulders. While
looking at his stalwart proportions, the
men thought what dangerous antagon
list he would be, and the young mothers
shuddered at SO beautiful a child
being taken into den of savage ami
mails.
With a graceful bow and the dignity
OF Roman conqueror, the Lion Tanner
strobe through the circle, disappeared
behind the cage, and, with such rapidity
as to astonish the audience, stood within
the compartment where the huge lior
was lying and the agile leopards leapine
about, and had placed his child between
the claws of the greater brute, and she
was playfully toying with its shaggy
name.
For time he made the leopards lear
about him as kittens, jumping from
corner to corner, resting upon his broad
shoulders, bounding lightly over the ex
tended whip. Then he gave his attention
to the mother lion, opened its immense
jaws, placed his arm and thrust his head
between them, raised his fairy-like child
upon its back, and made it march around
with her. Then he prepared to throw the
two cages into one.
Let lnez come out now" Whispered
the attendant, uneasily. "You have
done enough already to keep your prom
Use, and the audience won't know the
difference"
"No; will go through. Mind what
told you, and have things ready in case
there should be trouble, though don't
fancy any," Then he continued aloud
so as to be plainly heard by every one,
Hand me the pail of blood"
A cold shiver, supernatural awe, ap-
peared to pass through the frame of all
as the vessel dripping with crimson
drops, was given to him, and more than
one asked themselves if the man was mad
to thus not only risk his own life, but
that of his beautiful child. And when
heloosened and thrust aside the partition,
and the fierce lioness and sleek tiger
came bounding in, their breath was abso.
lutely suspended, and their hearts mo-
mentarily ceased to beat.
"Downw
The tiger obeyed, and the foot of the
Lion Tanner was upon his neck.
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