Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-04

a Lion That Objected to Having His
Photograph Taken by Flashlixht.

Lion That Objected to Having His
photograph Taken by Flashltght.
From the San Francisco Chronicle
There was a sensation in a Market street
photograph gallery yesterday afternoon, a
sensation and a lion. There had been many
mons there before, but they We're ordinary
social hons. This was a four-legged fellow
Dig, tawny beast with a cavernous mouth
and a voice like fog horn. 1t was Commo-
dore, an eight-year-old lion from the west
coast of Africa Though he is a member
of theatrical troupe yet wonderful TO
relate. he does not like to have his picture
taken.
The big brute was carried UP into the
gallery in a box closed in on all sides. A
ring had been screwed into the floor 70
which he could be tied. A group Of half
dozen curious people crowded into the
gallery to see the fun. Then they all tried
70 get out at once. His majesty didn't
IKE the way he had been jostled in going
up Hight OF stairs. and when his box was
open ne came out with a jump. His voice
expressed savage dissatisfaction as well
as his manner
he was soon quieted. His master stood by
and coolly pointing at him, ordered him to
De sue The lion tanner had nothing In
his hand. yet the animal crouched. ana.
though its great face was wrinkIed into a
nasty snarl. allowed itself to be fastened
to the ring
Just then a Chinese entered the gallery.
he came to see the lion He only wanted
one glance. The lion leaped toward him
win open mouth and the Chinese fed. he
was afterward found concealed in another
apar tment but could not be Induced 10
again approach the operating room.
The lion lay down calmly enough TIL the
photographer got to work. When he saw
ehe Dig one-eyed animal he must have
taken the camera TO be come zigzagg5ne
ooWaro MIN he growled ominously The
eyes that had been sleepy flashed and
ms pushy name stood on end as he reared
Us Hedo proudly, awaiting the advance OF
ms Zoe. When the camera came 20 rest he
sun eyed IL suspiciously, every now ana
.nen emitting rumbling growl that made
S S1e laoies VINO had gathered near the win
vows OF the room start back
MS attention was soon drawn to another
camera Ihis second one came I'd with a
squeak that brought him 70 his feet. The
al arsrr camera was forgotten in this more
assressNe one 1t was unfortunate that
.he cameras were not focused In order
10 catch his defiant attitude The grand
mead IN its frame Of bristling name. the
ntne body so suggestive of latent mower
made noble picture, in spite of The chain
with winch he was incumbered
n rev words from the trainer nut him
asaln IA crouching posture. He lay quiet
enough while the plates were being
changed and a half dozen pictures were
taken. A big f1ash-light photograph was
IN len suggested. The powder was nut IN
the little pans Of the frame work Behind
each pan was a flame Of gas 1t was
thooSht best TO move this frame of nghts
TO the other side of the camera
An attendant picked Il up The lion had
become so quiet that the man disregarded
hlm He started with his frame of lights
between the lion and the camera his
PACK was toward the glowering beast. he
old not see the lion gather himself slowly
together. III he had he would not have
gone on with his work so quietly The ami
mars lower jaw dropped, his nose CURED
back, exposing his curving teeth his whole
appearance was enc OF anger Then: Wa
augh"
The lion leaped to the end OF his short
chaln with mighty roar. Ii was short
ana quick, but deep; so deep that even
those who were anticipating il were star
TIED. The man with the flash light frame
was not startled. though. That expression
rails to indicate his sensation He was
scared Scared badly, too. The jump he
made put out all the lights on the frame
and would have insured him a place as a n
acrobat with any circus in the land
After the flash light picture had been
taken the lion was loosed He did not want
TO bit, but he went back into the cage
just the same. Then six men carried n
TO the top Of the stairs and IL was SLOWLY
lowered. This is thought TO have been the
first time a full-grown lion was ever taken
into gallery.