Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-03-31
Anluuruns Repartmeat.
THE LION AND "WHIMBAMPER."

THE LION AND "WHIMBAMPER."
A rare occurrence was an exhibition of the
wild beasts, lions. tigers, polar bears, and
which we are writing, yet they came occa-
sionally; and at this time they were visited
by old Nat Whealey, jolly weather beaten
boatman, we'll known in Baltimore as an
inveterate joker, who never let any one get
to the windward of him.
As Nat entered, the Snowman was stirring
up the monkeys and tormenting the lions,
giving elaborate descriptions of the va
rious propensities and peculiarities of each
and all.
This, ladies and gentlemen, this. / say is
the African lion. A noble beast, ladies and
gentlemen, and is called the king of the for
est. I have heard he makes nothing of de.
vouring young creatures, of every description,
when at home in the woods. Certain it ID,
that no other beast can whip him."
Mister" said Wheatly, "do you say he
can't be .whipped?"
"I duz," said the man of lions and tigers
"Whatll you bet I can't fetch critter
what'll whip him?"
81 amt bettin' man, at all but don't OBJ
ject to take small bet to that effect"
"I'll bet I can fetch something that'll whip
him. What say you to d hundred dollars ?"
Now there were several merchants in the
crowd who knew Whea.ly we'll, and were
fully convinced that if the bet was made he
was sure of winning. So he had no difficult
ty in finding hackers, one of whom told him
he would give him ten gallons of rum if he
won.
The menagerie man glanced at bis lion.
There he crouched in his cage, his shaggy
name bristlng and his tail sweeping, the
very picture of grandeur and majesty. The
bribe was tempting and he felt assured.
"Certainly. sir; l have no objection to
old Hercules taking bout with anything you
may fetch"
"Very we'll" said "Nat, it's bet."
The money was planked up, and the next
night was designated for the terrible con.
fict The news was spread over Baltimore,
and at an early hour the boxes of the spa
cious theatre were 6lled-the pit being clear
ed for the affray, expectation was on tip toe,
and it was with impatience the crowd awaited
the arrival of Wheatly. He at length enter
ed, bearing large bag or sack upon bis
shoulders, which, as he let it fall upon the
floor, was observed to contain some remarka-
bly, hard substance The keeper looked at
it with indignation.
"There," said Nat, pointing with his finger
at the bag
"Well, what is it?" asked the man with
increasing astonishment
THAT, ladies and gentlemen" said Nat,
gesticulating like Snowman, sis whimbam-
per"
"a whimbamper," echoed the keeper
"that's certainly new feature in zoology and
anatomy. A whimbamper! Well let him
out and clear the ring, or old Hercules may
make mouthful of both of you"
The keeper was excited. Accordingly,
Nat raised the bag, holding the aperture
downwards, and rolled out huge swapping
turtle, while the cheers and laughter of the
audience made the arches ring.
There he isw said Wheatly, as he lifted
the whimbanper over his hands and set him
on his legs. The snapper seemed uncon-
scious of its peril. The keeper was about
leaving the room when he swore his lion
should not disgrace himself by fighting such
contemplate foe.
Every WE'LL" said Nat eff you choose to
give the hundred"
"But it's unfair" cried the Snowman.
The audience interposed and insisted upon
the fight. There was no escape, and the
Snowman reluctantly released the lion, and
making himself secure on the top Of the cage
The majestic beast moved slowly around
the ring snufing and lasbing, while every
person held his breath ia suspense. Lions
are prying beasts, and this one was not long
in discovering the truth, which lay on the
floor, huge and inanimate mass. The lion
soon brought his nose in close proximity tc
it, when the turtle, not thinking, popped out
his head and rolled its eyes, while sort ot
wheeze issued from its savagerous mouth
The lion jumped back, made spring at the
critter, which was now fully prepared fol-
its reception. As the lion landed on him
the turtle fastened its terrific jaws upon the
lions's nostris, rendering him powerless to
do harm, yet with activity of limb he bounded
around the circle, growled, roared, and lash
ed himself, but the snapper hung on, seeming
to enjoy the ride vastly.
"Go it, whimbamper!' cried Wheatly
from the boxes.
The scene was rich. The Snowman was nc
less enraged than the lion. DraWlnS nls
pistol he threatened Nat with terrible threats
that if he didn't take the turtle off he'd shoot
him.
take him off yourself?" shouted Nat in
reply.
At this critical moment, by dint of losing
portion of his nose the lion shook his dan
gerous foe from him, and clearing the space
between him and the cage with bound, he
sunk quickly in his cage to chew the bitter
end Of defeat and pain.
1t was fair fight, all declaring that the
whimbamper was the victor. The money
was paid over to Nat, who left the theatre
delighted at the success Of whim. The next
morning he carried his turtle to market and
sold him. So this valiant champion, after
conquering the king of beasts, served for a
dinner to Baltimore epicures.
How JOE Won THE PENcIL.-Joe B.
is unquestionably the handsomest married
man in Cincinnati. Joe sports wife besides