The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-08-07
THE LYONT AMER'S PERIL.
How Prof. M.Donnld Nearsy Lost Hi. Ii


lTowapda (Pa.) Republican,, 4-a4. -
,Coup's show was at Towanda. At the
close of the concert an exciting scene oc
CURED long to be remembered by those
present. 1t is the custom, after the con-
cert is over, to feed the animals in the
presence of the audience. The den of
Prof. McDonald's performing lions is so
constructed by swinging iron gates from
the back of the cage that each animal
has an apartment to itself while feeding.
Everything was secured and the meat
placed in position by means Of an iron
fork, the animals seiziDg their food and
drawing it through the bars of the cage.
After they are done feeding the gates
are again thrown back leaving them to-
gether in harmony. 1t sometimes oc
ours that the animal will net devour all
the food allotted him, which would be
removed before the gates are opened
placing them in one department. 1t is
customary in all menageries to omit
feeding one day each week. Conse-
quently they are more ferocious and
more anxious for their food after their
twenty four hours fasting. On the day
stated the den was divided in the usual
manner, the large African lion, Ned, in
one end, the Asiatic lioness in the CEN
ter and the powerful leopard in the other
end, and their food provided. Ned
quickly finished his repast and retired
| to his corner, seemingly satisfied; the
| leopard also finished his meal; but the
lioness retired to corner Of her apart
ment leaving no portion of her meat
near the gate which separated her from
the leopard. .,..-...,..--.. e.
The attendants neglected to remove
the meat which the lioness had left and
opened the gate which separated her
from Ned. Just as the iron gate fell
back to its p ace, the leopard espied the
meat near the bars of the center apart
ment and sprang to drag it through the
gate. Ned anticipated this movement
and at the same instant placed his
enormous paw on the meat A terrib' e
struggled ensued Prof. Mcdonald was
at this time attending to other duties,
but was Immediately called. All that
has ever been necessary before in such
an emergency was simply Fer the pro-
fessor to speak and Ned would at once
yield to his master. This time, how.
ever, he paid no attention to him, and
seemed determined to be master him
self. Mcdonald took the large feeding
fork and tried to force the meat from
him, but without avail With the de
termination that brave man can place
himself in the Jaws of death in perflrm
ing his duty, Mcdonald made prepara
tion to enter the den, remarking as he
did so, =" You or 1 must be master
The instant Mcdonald closed the dool
behind him, Ned sprang upon him, anc
with claws extended, struck him terri
BILE blow in the breast, tearing his yes
aud shirt and lacerating his flesh. Tht
blow staggered him. to the end OF th'
csge, where he slipped and fell on thu
greasy floor. An attendant, thinking t
assist him, took him by the foot and
pulled him near the door, aud again Ne,
struck him on the thigh, tearing oyeralls
pants, underware and flesh in fright
, full manner. -'' -i5f '-'
Children screamed, ladies tainted an
, strong men stood paraiyzed, with. lip
compressed and faces white as snow
The only one that was calm and co
, lected was the "Lion King" in his tel
rible prison. He regained his feet, an
with blood flowing from his breast an
! thigh, his clothing torn into shreds, b
: stood for moment looking at his favol
ite who had retired again with his mea
under his paw. No one can ever forge
= the look Of mingled dignity, pride an
affection depicted on his features as b
said, in an authoritative and lovin
voice, Ned, what are you doing?, D
you mean to kill me, your best friend
It really seems that the &c king of tt
!. forest :" understood every word this ma
said, and, looking at him momen
!. Ned dropped his eyes, and with his pa
e showed the meat from him, which salt
} as plain as words could speak, %" su
4 render" Mcdonald approached hin
. and calling for his stool, seated himse
besides his noble friend. Ned the
licked the blood from his master
wounds.