The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-01-26

nagerie. The cuts were a rough pict-
ure of the lion-tamer in those days
with his pets. They were rough-looking
things beside the magnificent bills of
the present day, but no doubt answered
the purpose just as well.
Driesbach's menagerie having met
with so much success, show stock, which
had fallen to twelve cents on the dollar,
began to rise, and the business took u
fresh start. Driesbach, however, con-
tinued to give theatrical exhibitions
during the winter months, and in after
life he used to relate some amusing in
cidents that happened. Here is one in
his own words:
Il was exhibiting in the city of Bal
timore. We were playing piece in
which one of my tigers was to suddenly
leap from above upon me, as if to kill
me. After it would jump on me we
would roll around on the floor, to all
appearances engaged in mortal combat.
The theater in which we were PLAYING
had large pit, and it was filed almost
to sutfocation that evening with boys
and men. This time the fellow Jumped
over my head and was flying for the
pit when | caught him by the tail and
hauled him back. | needn't tell YOU
that standing room was made mighty
quick in that pit when they saw the an
imal coming. They rousted out pell-
nell, yelling and screaming for me to
Hold on to himn "
An amusing incident is related con-
corning Driesbach and the late Edwin
Forrest. When the latter was playing
at the old Broadway, in New York, his
pieces were followed by an exhibition
of lions by their tanner, Driesbach.
Forrest was one day saying that he
had never been afraid in all his life
could not imagine the emotion. Dries
bach made no remark at the time, but
in the evening, when the curtain had
fallen, invited Forrest home with him.
Forrest assented, and the two, entering
house, walked a long distance, through
many devious passages, all dark, until
finally Driesbach, opening a door, said
''This way, Mr. Forrest" Forrest en-
tered, and Immediately heard the door
slammed and locked behind him. He
had no time to express any surprise at
this, for at the same moment he felt
something soft rubbing against his leo.
and, putting out his hand, touched what
felt like a cat's back. A rasping growl
saluted the motion, and he saw two
fiery, glazing eyeballs looking up at
him. Are you afraid, Mr.. Forrest?'
asked Driesbach, invisible in the dark
ness. "Not bit" Driesbach said
something; the growl deepened and be-
came hoarser, the back began to arch
and the eyes to shine more tiercelv.
Forrest held out for two or three min
utes; but the symptoms became so terri
flying that he owned up in so many
words that he was afraid. NOW let
me out, you Internal scoundrel," he
said to the lion-tamer, or I'll break
every bone in your body" He was i'm
prudent there, for Driesbach kept him,
not daring to move finger, with the
lion rubbing against his legs all the
time, until Forrest promised not only
immunity but supper inthe bargain.
Driesbach continued to travel until
about twelve years ago, when he re-
nounced the show business and settled
down in Wayne County, Ohio, where he
died There he resided on farm, after
having lost about all the money he had
ever made in the show business. and his
last days were passed as an humble
tiller of the soil, his abode being a d.
lapidated log cabin, but his life one of
| cOntentment.