Mexico weekly ledger., 1877-10-18


in the corner, grind his teeth and
growl.' Besides, he was his friend,
and on more than one occasion he
had acted the part of piece-keeper.
The leopards-a pair of spotted
cheetahs-were scarcely to be taken
into consideration. The black tiger,
the most rare and strikingly beautiful
animal In any collection ordinarily
quiet, though when fully aroused not
to be trified with.
But the lioness was the especial one
to be watched. She was beast OF
uncommon power, with massive arms.
long curving claws, 1.-THE and nervous
as a serpent, teeth sharp as needles,
flexible, treacherous, smooth, tawny
skin and yellow eyes that flash fierce
ly. Never, even in her best moods,
had she been submissive, and her
mildest play was rough in the ex-
treme.
The lion tanner turned from his
companion to 60 and dress for his at
tractive but dangerous performance ;
but before doing SO, he visited the
double cage and made a critical ex-
animation of the beasts, who any in
slant might be to him as fate. There
was nothing to especially awaken fear ;
and half vexed with himself for hav-
ing been needlessly disturbed, he
passed from the great canvass into a
smaller compartment, and found his
wife anu child waiting for him-the
one young and beautiful woman,
and the other very fairy of a child,
whose hair hung down upon her back,
as the brightest and finest of spun
silk.
u am sorry, Joe," said the wife
and mother, as her husband entered,
''that you have consented to SO fool
ish performance as the one adver-
tised for to-day
''Why, May?" and he looked. most
; earnes'y at her.
because t~~ardinary performance
; is hazardous enough"
''Then you think This more so?"
II don't know that it is" she re
piled, having the utmost confdenc
. in her husbands ability 'sbut some
how l don't altogether fancy hayin
Ilez taken into the cage"
"You know my reason for consent
ing, and that it would never hav
been given had your assent not lee
first obtained.
Certainly, and it was very goo
f of you, joe"
''You know that it was promise,
: on account of my salary being rails
ed"
ssYes."
'And that it was to secure th
rise of my salary so as the sooner +
accumulate enough to buy a lit.
home against the rainy days tha
might come"
"Yes, my dear Joe; but"-with
smile.-''had not pride something tc
do with it? That's the curse of tn
profession. Each one is always try
ing to outdo the other-rmning risk
on that account they would not other
wise attempt"
"Well, May, l only gave M
promise to do the act once, but ever
now will give it up if you say the
word. 1 had rather disappoint al
the managers, and be called coward
by all the rabble in the world, thar
cause your heart to beat with fear, ol
TO bring tears to your eyes"
''No, no, Joe. Don't think l have
lost confidence and pride in you
don't think of giving it up. l sup,
pose l am foolishly nervous. But
you will be careful and not run any
unnecessary risks -
"My own heart would have to be
torn out before anything should hap.
pen our darling;" and he stopped
raised the child, tossed her up caught
kissed her, and hugged her to hi.
bosom.
| "But yourself, Joe?''
"Oh, I'll look out for number
one"
The conversation did not tend Il
ease his mind, and before dressing h,
went out and held another converse
ton with his particular attendant, ,ant
took another look into the performing
cage.
The animals were more quiet thai
when he had seen Them previously
the icness especially appeared in
t playful mood, and with something Q
the load lifted from his heart, he re
turned, but with little time remaining
before he would be called upon t
! prove his right to the proud little 9
Lion Tanner.
And every inch he looked one a
. he stepped in view of the densel
crowded assembly. Gorgeous in hi
n new costume, and with q look c
/. calmness and determination upon hi
| face-looked with his tall and sinew
at tform, fit to grapple with and evel
!. come the fiercest beasts that eve
y prowled amid the jungles of Asia an
p Africa, and made night terrible wit
their roaring.