The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-10
III WAS ONLY a prNAPuR.
But It Overcame the Lion OF the Great
Circus Menegerie.

Norfolk Letter IN NeiD York Press.
II was not long ago that large
circus and menagsrle on its an
uual southern tour stopped at Nor
folk Va. which is acknowledged by all to be
one Of best show towns the other side Of the
Potomac river. They anchored at the head
Of Church street and were escorted on their
line of march from the railroad depot by
the usual crowd of oolored people, who al
WAYS 20 wild with delight when the ami
mails come to town. The house was packed
with all classes OF people, from the colored
man who "shucked" oysters during the day
and did the cake walk at night to the
children Of the millionaire, who had longed
for months to sac the clown and the ami
mails.
The ring performances received all the
applause necessary to prove that the audi
ence we're satisfied, but there was another
star attached to the show who received more
attention than all else combined. He was
lion Of majestic size and as fierce looking as
possible His keeper, who seemed to be on
good terms with the majestic nibs, strobe
up and down in front Of the cage.
The present chief of police, Charley Pet
tus, was the wag of the oyster shell town Of
Norfolk at that period, bus being not in &C
cord with the political sentiments expressed
BY the municipal government at the time
be was laid on the shelf as it were; but TO-
day he is higher up on the political ladder
than he ever was before. At the
time spoken Of Charley had plenty
of leisure, and therefore took
In the circus. After gazing on the
spsDgles and trappings for a while he wan
dered in the direction where the wild
animals were holding q levee and receiving
the compliments OF the visitors Just as
Mr.. Pettus passed the hons cage be heard
the keepers eulogy on his pet, ard beiev-
ing there was little chance for a great
deal Of fun, he walked I'D to the speech
maker. saying: Look herel Did you say
that cur in the cage could lick anything in
NorfolkF -...
THEN THE GAMBLING BEGAN,
That's exactly what mean, and I'll 90
further by saying he can whip anything
out Of Norfolk as well as ia it, and l have
the money to back my opinion" answered
the keeper.
"Well, have $50 that says 1 have an
animal that can lick the life out of that
cur, and I'll bet $50 more your great fighter
will take water in ten minutes after he lays
eyes on my ANIMAL" said Charley in a very
confident manner.
When asked what his fighter was Charley
merely answered by saying: "It is only a
pinapue."
Some of the crowd thought that the idle
police officer was little off; and all
laughed heartily at the idea OF any living
thing being able to cope with a lion. Such
chances TO make 500 did not occur every
day in the year, and the circus proprietor
was sent for. TINS individual gave per-
missioc to test the strength Of the two ami
mails, but when Charley was asked where
the pinapue was he remarked:
HE is not far away. III go and get
him, providing the keeper will promise TO
put my pinapue in the cage with the lion,
for il | were to take the chances Of doing so
the cowardly cur might snap my hand off,"
This was agreed to, the money posted in
the hands Of DR.. James E. Scott, a druggist
OF the city, and Charley started off after his
lion tanner.
Before getting outside of the canvass he
heard the Snowman chatting him, which
caused his return 60 the scene of excitement
with a bold offer TO bet 800 more. This was
taken up by the Snowman, to whom ii looked
like finding money, and then Charley de-
parted. In ten minutes he returned, lead
ing no animal and without any signs Of one.
Uncomplimentary remarks were made at
the expense of the piuapus man. and when
asked where his lion whipper was Charley
opened his pocket handkerchief tenderly,
and, handing from It's folds a small speci-
msp of natures handiwork, said:
Put my pinapue in the cage with your
cur, and let US see which will shout first"
The general sally that greeted this speech
was ali against Charley, bur he remained
cool, awaiting further developments. The
meusgerie man handled the hLtle creature
in a careless manner aud placed it In the
cage with an air as much as to say: "It is
all dough with you" The lion at first
looked astonished at seeing the seemingly
lifeless animal on this floor of his cage. but
at last the mighty king Of tina rest began
an investigation Several times no placed
his nose near the little mite, until at last his
nose touched tine pinapue, and then COM
menced scene tn beggars description.
The lion raised his head with q howl, but ne
carried the pinapue with MN, as the latter
held fast to the nose Of tae dreaded monster.
The more the lion tried to shsks the pinspue
off the tighter the latter held on. The crowd
cheered Justify. This is good enough cir
Gus for me, said Charley.
VICTORY FoRTHE PINAPUE.
The proprietor pleaded and begged for
his lion, but it was useless
II paid 600 for chat animal and /
can't have him ruined in this way" said
the,proprietor, aud then turning TO the
stakeholder he continued by saying: "Give
him the money. IcoDfess the hon is licked,
so call your darned dog, or whatsyer iI is,
away"
After the money was handed to Mr.. Pet
tus-he said. TEL that man with the big
drum to beat it hard"
THIS was done, and when the noise of the
drum sounded like thunder the piuapue re-
leased mis- hold and dropped TO the floor,
while the lion covered in a corner of his
cage. Charley Pettus pocketei the 500
and took his departure. leaving his pinapue
which was nothing more than q snapping
turtle-with the circus people rs a keep
sake and reminder that the battle is not