Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-09-21
"You know that it was promised on &C

enough to buy little home against the
rainy days that might come
Eyes, my dear Joe;" but-wlth smile
-''had not pride something to do with 1t
That's the curse of the profession. Each
one is always trying to Guido the other
running risks on that account they would
not otherwise attempt"
well, May, only gave my promise to
do the act once, but even now will give 1T
up if you say the.word. [ had rather dis
appoint all the managers, and be called
coward by all the rabble in the world, than
cause your heart to to beat with fear, OF
to bring tears to your eyes,
''No, no, Joe. Don't think [ have lost
confidence and pride in you. No, don't
think of giving it up. I suppose, l am
foolishly nervous. But you will be care
full and not run any unnecessary risk ~
my own heart would have to be torn
out before anything should happen our
darling,' and he stopped, raised the child,
tossed her up, caught, kissed her, and
Rugged her to his bosom.
''But yourself, Joe?"
sob, look out for number one."
The conversation did not tend to ease
bis 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 the load lifted from his
heart he returned, with but little time re-
manning befores 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 as
sembly. Gorgeous in his new costume,
and with a look of calmness and determl-
nation upon his face-looked, with his tall
and sinewy form, fit to grapple with and
overcome the iercest beasts that ever
prowled amid the jungles of Asia and At
RIGA, and made night terrible with their
roaring.
4 bust of APPLAUSE perfect tempest
Of huzzas and clapplng Of hands-greeted
him as he swung his little girl, dressed in
silver tissue, and with the 'gossanler wings
and tiara of sparkling jewels around her
golden curls, that represent the tradition
al fairy, upon his shoulders. While look
ing at his stalWart proportions, the men
thought what dangerous antagonist he
would be, and the young mothers shudder-
ed at so beautiful child being taken into
d den Of savage animals.
With, graceful bow and the dignity of
q Roman conquerer, the lion tanner strobe
through the circle, disappeared behind the
cage, and with such rapidity as to aston
isll the audience, stood within the COM
partment where the huge lion was lying
and the agile leopards leaping about, and
had placed his child between the claws Of
the great brute, and she was playfully toy
ing with his shaggy name.
For a time he made the leopards leap
ab out him as kittens, jumping from cor
her to corner, resting upon his broad
shoulders, bounding lightly over the ex-
tended whip. Then he gave his attention
to the mother lion, opened her immense
jaws, placed his arm and thrust his head
between them. raised his fairy-like child
upon it's back, and made it march around
with her. Then he prepared to throw the
two cages into one.
'Let Inez come out noW,' whispered
the attendant uneasily. "You have done
enough already to keep your promise, and
the audience won't know the difference
s'No, will go through. Mind what 1
told you and have things ready in case
there should be trouble, though | don't ex-
pect any," Then he continued aloud, and
50 as to be plainly heard by everyone -
Hand NE the pail Of Blood
A cold shlver, a 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 beau
tiful child. And when he loosened and
thrust aside the partition, and the fierce
lioness and sleek tiger came bounding in,
their breath was absolutely suspended,
and their hearts momentarily ceased to
beat.
s'DoWn."
The tiger obeyed and the foot of the
lion tanner was upon his neck.
Up"
And the leopards were purring like great
cats upon his shoulders, while the lioness
lay crouching With her tawny paws thrust
through the bars and growing severely.
''For mercy sake let her alone," Whisp-
cred his attendant, "and MIND not to kick
over the pail. If the blood should be spill
ed, it W ouid be all over with you both-all
the men in the world couldn't save YOU
''Stand ready, but keep still. The brute
shall mind
His child was sitting on the back of the
lion, and smiling in that den of horrors.
Her confidence in her father was sublime
was as perfect as her love. She never
dreamed Of fear when he was near to pro
tect, and while the lookers-on shuddered
she innocently deemed it pleasant pas
time.
'..Down -
The leopards leaped to their corner and
crouched down,
"Come ~
The lioness grumbling arose, crawling
sullenlY to his feet, rose and laid her great
claws upon his shoulders, making him
swerve with her weight, and raising her
terrible head upon 4 level with his own.
Slowly and slowly they turned round as in
waItZing, and low mutterings of the beast
becoming more plainly audible every
moment, and her yellow, feline eyes snap
ping with hidden fires.
With an amazing exhibition of strength
he wrestled with, tripping and threw her