The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-08-23


hazardous enough"
"Then you think this more so?''
d" don't know that it is" she replied,
having the utmost confidence inner hus-
bands ability; "but somehow l 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 first obtained"
Certainly, and it was very good of
you, joe"
"That it was promised on account of
my salary being raised"
"Yes."
"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
outdo the other-running risks on that
account they would not otherwise at
tempt"
Well, May, l only gave my promise
4 to do the act once, but even now will
give it up if you say the word. 1 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"
"No, no, Joe. Don't think have lost
confidence and pride in you. No, don't
think of giving it up. / 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 hugged her to his bosom.
"But yourself, Joe?'
go, 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 a 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 ht
stepped in view of the densely-crowdeC
assembly. Gorgeous in his new costume
and with a look of calmness and de
termination upon his face, he looked
with his tall and sinewy form, fit t.
grapple with and overcome the ferces
beasts that ever prowled amid tn
- jungles of Asia and Africa, and mad
" nioht tarrih1e with their roaring
e A burst of APPLAUSE perfec
5, tempest of huzzas and clappin
!, of hands greeted him as he swun
his little girl, dressed in silve
II tissue, and with the gossamer wings an
N tiara of sparkling jewels around he
h golden curls, that represent the trad
j. looking at his stalwart proportions, tn
" men thought what dangerous antagor
: ist he would be, and the young mother
shuddered at so beautiful a chill
IN being taken into a den of savage an
mails.
til With a graceful bow and the dignit
of Roman conqueror, the Lion Tame
IN strobe through the circle, disappeare
Dis behind the cage, and, with such rapidit
ne as to astonish the audience, stood With
| UlC NHClC GlIC HuSc lIO
it was lying and the agile leopards leapin
/ about, and had placed his child betwee
/ the claws of the greater brute, and 81
lie was playfully toying with its shage
nd name.
10, For time he made the leopards lea
We about him as kittens, jumping fro
corner to corner, resting upon his bros
ny shoulders, bounding lightly over the e
tended whip. Then he gave his attentic
if to the mother lion, opened its immen
of jaws, placed his arm and thrust his hes
1T between them, raised his fairy-like chi
as, upon its back, and made it march arou1
ce, with her. Then he prepared to throw tt
/ two cages into one.
Let 1nez come out now" whisper
nd the attendant, uneasily. "YOu ha
done enough already to keep your prol
DIV Use, and the audience won't know t
in difference"
'ut "No; will go through. Mind wha
Dw told you, and have things ready in ca
nd there should be trouble, though 1 dol
III, fancy any," Then he continued alou
if so as to be plainly heard by every OF
W "Hand me the pail of blood"
A cold shiver, supernatural awe, a
ed -peared to pass through the frame of a
if as the vessel, dripping with crims
led drops, was given to him, and more tn
.he one asked themselves if the man was m
he to thus not only risk his own life,
nd that of his beautiful child. And VIII
zen he loosened and thrust aside the partitio
lid and the fierce lioness and sleek tie
ith came bounding in, their breath was abb
lutely suspended, and their hearts n
ro- mentarily ceased to beat.
so "Down!'
nd The tiger obeyed, and the foot of t
ing Lion Tanner was upon his neck.
inc "Upp
er- And the leopards were purring Ii
ous great cats upon his shoulders, while t
lioness lay crouched with her taw
no. paws thrust through the bars and gro,
of ing savagely.
i'm For mercy's sake, let her alon
ore whispered his attendant; "and mind l
his kick over that pail. If the blood shot
it be spilled, it would be all over with y
be both. All the men in the world could
uld save you"
ate "Stand ready, but keep still. I
ow brute shall mind.'
His child was sitting on the back
ore the lion, and smiling in that den of h
Vas rors. Her confidence in her father v
uld sublime-was as perfect as her love-
the never dreamed of fear when he was N,
to protect, and while the lockers.
h a shuddered, she innocently deemed i
me pleasant pastime.
the "DownW
but The leopards leaped to either corn
the and crouched down.
yl." "Comep
pom The lioness grumbling arose, craw
the suddenly to his feet, rose and laid
"a great claws upon his shoulders, maxi
ely him swerve with her weight, and rails
The her terrible head upon a level with
gly own. Slowly and slowly they tur1
was round as if waltzing, the low mutteril
lily of the beast becoming more plainly au
BILE every moment, and her yellow, fel
: to eyes swapping with hidden fires.
s With an amazing exhibition of streng
,ive he wrestled with, tripped and threw
and from him, and the canvas tent r;
as AGAIN Rut insta ntIv Sha waS 1Ipop