Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1879-11-26

Coup's show Was at Towanda last
week. At the close of the concert
an exciting scene occurred, long to
be remembered By those present.
1t is the custom, after the concert 10
over, to feed the animals in the
presence of the audience. The den
of Prof. McD0nald's performing
lions is 80 constructed BY swinging
iron gates from the back Of the cage
that each animal haa an apartment
to itself while feeding. Everything
was secure aud the meat placed In
position BY means OF an iron fork,
the animals seizing their food and
drawing 1t through the bars of the
cage.
After they are done feeding, the
gates are again thrown beck, lesv-
ing them together in harmony. It
sometimes occurs that the animal
will not devour ell the food allotted
him, which vould Be removed before
the gates are opened, placing them
in one department. 1t is customary
in all menageries to omit feeding
Quo day each week. Animals thrive
better to fast one day each week.
Consequently they are more Zero
cious and anxious for their food Of.
ter their twenty -four hours fas.
ing.
On the day stated, the den was
divided in the usual manner, the
large African lion "Ned" in one end,
the Asiatic liouess In the centre,
and the powerful leopard in the 9th.
er end, and their food provided.
"Ned" quickly finished bis repast
and retired to his corner, seemingly
satisfied; the leopard also finished
his meal; but the lioness retired to
a corner of her apartment, leaving Q
portion Of her meat near the gate
which separated her from the leop-
ard.
The attendants neglected to re.
move the meat which the lioness had
left, and opened the gate which
separated her from "Ned.- Just ~
the iron gate fell back to its place,
the leopard espied the meat near
the bars of the centre apartment
and sprang to drag il to the gate.
"Nedr anticipated this movement,
and at the same instant placed his
enormous paw on the meat. A ter.
rible struggle ensued. Prot. Mo.
Donald was at this time attending
to other duties, but was immediate.
" called. All that has ever been
necessary before in such an cmer.
gency was simply for the Professor
to speak, aud "Ned" would at once
yield to his master. This time,
however, no paid no attention 70
him, and seemed determined to be
master himseK
Mcdonald took the large feeding
fork aud tried to force the meat
from him, but without avail With
the determination that brave man
can place himselfin the jaws Of death
in performing his duty, Mcdonald
made preparations for entering the
den, remarkiug rs he did 30, "You
or l must be MASTER The instant
Mcdonald closed the door behind
him, "Ned' sprang upon him, and
with claws extended, struck him O
terrible blow in the breast, tearing
his vest and shirt, and decorating
his flesh. The blow staggered hin
to the end Of the cage, where b.
slipped and fell on the greasy floor
An attendant, thinking to assist
him, took him BY the foot aud pulled
him near the door, and again "Neal'
struck him on the thigh, tearing
overalls, pants and underwear, and
the flesh IN . frightful manner.
Children screamed, ladies tainted
and strong men stood psralyzed
with lips compressed and faces Whit
as snow. The only one that wa
calm and collected was the "LioI
King" in his terrible prison. III
regained bis feet, aud with bloo<
flowing from his breast and thigh
bis clothing torn into shreds, stoo.
for q moment looking at his fAvorits
who had retired again with his Rea
uader bis paw. No one can eve
forget the look of mingled dignity
pride and allectioe depicted on ht
features - be said, IN % aatbOvita
tive and loving voice, MED, wha
are you doingt Do yos mean 70 Ill
~, yoar bet fFieOdp
| II really seems that the liking Q
the forest" uuderatood every worl
this uap said, and, locking q hin
for . moment, "Nsd' dropped b
eyss, and With b: pew bowed = !.