Connecticut western news., 1893-08-10
WOMEN HAVE NERVE.
One of Them Masters an Unruly Lion With
 Roth Mnscle and LookA.


 Few of those who saw Miss Johnstons at the evening performance at Hagen beck's knew that just moment before she appeared smiling in the arena she had gone through an experience which she will never forget. At the perform. ance of the animals she puts a lion through an act in which the animal rides on the back of horse. The lion is called Black Prince. He is big black maned animal, and of late he has developed a temper. A week ago he made slash at Miss Johnstons with his paw, and she narrowly escaped. Since that time he has been getting worse, and it required q firm hand to make him go through the performance.
 Late yesterday Black Prince came in contact with another lion called Prince. They immediately began to fight. For 30 seconds it was a battle royal. The powerful brutes struck and bit each oth- ar, and it required the united force of the trainers to separate them and get each one into separate cage.
 The fight took place very few min utes before Miss Johnstons' turn came to go on and give her performance. There is door at the back of the cages and 8 narrow passageway that leads into the big cage in the center of the arena. It is the practice of the performer to stand by the entrance while the lions are let out and then to follow them into the per forming arena. As usual, Miss Johnstons was at her post. It was just before the o'clock performance, and the light at the back of the cage was dim.
 When the door of the cage was opened. Black Prince sprang out with 8 savage roar. When he saw Miss Johnston, she paused for moment. She saw the dan- gerous look in his eyes and changed the whip from the right hand to the left. An iron rod lay on the floor between her and the angry lion. The situation was trying. Black Prince crouched ready for spring. AS he lowered to the floor Miss Johnstons bent down and kept her eyes on the lion. Not word was spoken A cry would have meant death to the imperiled woman. Slowly she advanced toward the iron rod. Black Prince saw the move and knew what was coming Just an instant before her fingers clutch ed the rod the lion sprang. But Miss Johnstons saw him coming, and with 8 courage and coolness that make heroes she sprang close up against the wall of the cage, and the brute brushed past her. Before he could turn she had the rod in her hand.
 The bafied brute turned with savage roar and started for the woman. This time, armed, she held her ground. The rod descended with sounding blow on the head of the brute. For fully two minutes it was battle for supremacy. Miss Johnstons won, and driving the brute into the arena she followed and smiled to the audience, which applauded her as though she had just stepped from her dressing room. Once only during the performance did the lion show his temper. That was when he was ordered to leap from the pedestal to the horses back. Miss Johnstons was behind him, and as he was stubborn she struck him light blow with her whip The lion turned fercely and struck at her, and in doing so fell off the pedestal. He crouch ed to spring, but the daring woman marched up to him and made him cover with look.-Chicago Record.