The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-11
A woMAN's POWER
To soothe q Wild Boast Demonstrated
She Hugs Hugo Bear

She Hugs Hugo Boar,
WAsuINGroN, April i0-At the Smithson-
ian Institution recently while Capt Wcedcn,
the keeper, was standing in front OF the bear
pit, an elegantly ly.drcsscd woman of apparent
refinement approached, and, after looking
through the bars few moments, exclaimed,
impulsively
GLOW should like 20 hug that bcarl"
The Captain was astonlshcd but managed
20 say;
"Wcl, there Is nothing 10 prevent t."
"But how shall ! get IMP the visitor asked,
Come with me-"
Together they went TO tho door at the
side, and without moments hesitation, or
even loss OF perfect composurc, the lady
followed her guide into the pit. Going
boldly up to the largest bear, she pattcd him
on the head, 10 the intense nstonishmcnt and
admiration OF the Captain, who remarked;
Madame, you are the neryiost woman In
Washington"
Thinking to tcsther further, Capt wecdcn
began 10 edge oil toward the door, but his
guts, had evidently read about the traits OF
wild animals In captivity and kept close Ia
the keepers side, making her exit safely In
his company and departing without making
herself known. She ran greater risk than
fcrcd 10 touch either Of the other animals In
the pit In all likelihood not even the Cap
thin's presence would have been sufficient to
prevent her from being roughly dealt with,
Il not seriously injured, by the ill'natured
brutos.
There was tragic incident few nights
ago In the bull ling containing the Wild ami
mails which has he'n kept quiet by those In
charge. The pride OF tltc collection II q sleek
tI..INf Isr tKh al.
though lac has been n captive since only
three weeks old has not abated one particle
Of his great native forocity Capt Wccdcn
had a pair Of Scotch terriers, which lac turned
loose In the building after dark. The other
night the watchmcn were startled by n ~
rics of car.splittlng yelp-. which soon ceased
aud were followed by most pitiiul whining.
\ when Capt Wccdcn. who had been aroused
| by the racket reached the building he found
bot one Of the dogs The other could not bc
seen. After scanhiug some time lac dis
covered It's collar IN Jacks cage, but not
70 much rs q hair remained In sight The
| jaguar had caught him NJ he put his paw'
! upon the ledge of the cage, had literally
| dovourcd him, rejecting nothing but th'
| metal collar thai surrounded his neck.
Prot Hornsda, aud Capt. Mecdcn hai
succo i In hriNssaL Into iair condition
the panther or tnountHiu Hon. 20 the inst
tuition from Montana II wns caught Ia
trap when Young both fucfcci mnnglc'
so That locomoiion was almost impossible
| II Il now about a year old, and although
| still crippled IN IT, movements, u u able Z,
| leap thirty feet at a single sprlng. What II
might do. II In full possession Of H. power
is an interesting question. The latest add.
/ ton to the collection ~ n black foot weasel
/ from Kansas q very nrc animal. II is surc
/ death 10 rats and Nv ~ search Tor them q
nblc 10 accommodate itself 90 the narrow
/ winding galleries aud hnunts of the smallest
mice while IN H. ordinary condition. H.
body Is thicker than that 0f good tlzod
rat.