The Washington bee., 1895-09-28
. A WRESTLING LION.

ought TO De on the SCnOOl DOdfu.
-> A WRESTLING LION. -
An Interview With Sarah Bernhardts Ne"
Piece of Animal Property.
Mr. Cross is the universal provider'
Of wild beasteses." and his firm, repre-
sentsd successfully by his father and
himself during the last $50 years, has
made the name Of ''Massa Cross" a
household word on every hilltop and In
every swamp, jungle and forest In the
undiscovered world by it's liberal pur-
chases Of the fauna Of every country.
"well. Mr.. Cross. I have come to see
your wrestling Hon, not only as an oo-
server, but as critic.
"I am sure that shall be able to an
swer every question, and to meet your
ainutest inspection. But. az regards the
proprietorship, must tell you that he
belongs to Nine. Sarah Bernhard. You
are probably aware Of her great interest
In all animals, and her love Of making
wild beasts her domestic pets Directly
she had seen the wrestling lion and had
noticed his extreme docility she insisted
on possessing him. didn't want to sell
him. I had been doing very good busi-
ness for some time past with him IN the
provinces, so I named what I hoped
would be q prohibitive sum-E1 900.
However, madame took him at chat
price-the highest ever paid for Hon. l
have met Nine. Bernhardt frequently
She never omits TO visit my repository IN
Earle street when she comes to Liverpool
indeed, Mr.. Irving and the leading
lights Of the drama generally look In.
recollect on one occasion number OF my
snakes got loose. and think you would
have been amused II you had seen the
great actress entering into the chase
with the greatest ardor possible"
glanced for q moment at the sacred
six-legged Indian cow, and the quaint
Java monkeys, but when I reached
Sarah Bernhardt's lion I wanted moth
ing else TO see.
Marso il undoubtedly an extraordina-
rily fine example Of his species, and in
of the finest beef are administered to him
during the IL hours Of daily exhibition.
Now, tell me all you know, Mr.. Cross.
about this uon?"
II got him a. q cub, and Immediately
was struck with his extreme dooility.
He took down all other specimens have
had-and have had scores Of then1-as
regards evenness of temper. With all
animal training, especially with lions, 1t
is better policy to be kind. Directly you
introduce the whip or stick, goodIby to
teaching tricks. Marco has been in train
ing over two years. But here comes
Clyto, who has been with me f1ve years.
and who will presently wrestke with the
hon."
Then there appeared a good-looking.
1.-THE young man, 23 years OF age. clad
in a smart tunic, the left breast Of which
was decorated with three or four medals
one especially attracted my attention.
as on the reverse side It bore the inscrip-
ton that 1t was the gift Of w. r. Glad
stone. BY and by he retired to put on
his wrestling suit, which, noticed, as
he entered the cage, bore In its ragged
ness unmistakable evidence Of the severe
contests he had had with the lion.
Before Clyto was within yard or two
of the cage. the lion appeared to scent
him, was up and alert, and began to
purr round Clyto's legs, as would pet
cat, on his entering the cage. up" said
Clyto, and the lion placed a paw over
each Of his shoulders, with his head dan
gerously near his keepers face. Then the
began. A twist or two, and
Clyto had thrown, by a buttock twist,
the lion on his back on the floor Of the
den with a thud. A piece of meat was
then the reward of the vanquished. Again
there was prolonged struggle, and this
time the lion had thrown Clyto, and was
on top Of him. Clyto lay for moment
quite still, with the heavy weight of the
beast upon him. Then he began to
wriggle quietly, with the intent, evident
got free, and was up in trice and
leaned against the bars, painting for
breath. The next feat was getting the
lion to sit on a chair; when there. Clyto
retired to the other side of the cage and
placed piece Of meat in his mouth.
Then, with jump, the lion sprang on
his keeper and took the beefsteak from
his mouth, but Clyto had the breath
knocked out of him by the heavy inn
pact OF the beast. Clyto next began to
sweep out the cage, but he seemed to
care little whether he kept his face to his
charg or not. While this was being done
the lion proceeded to play with the chair.
as cat would with reel Of cotton.
Evidently the show was nearly over; but
before the keeper left the lion had got
cheeky. and made rather nasty charge.
and began to wresue, and so ardently
that Clyto exclaimed: Come. comet
that's enough! This Is bit too rough.
Give over, will youT' A short struggle
then ensued, and Clyto's head appeared
likely to be bitten off; but Clyto succeed
ed in throwing the lion off, and then
dealt him back-hander on the face, by
way Of admonition to better manners.
The keeper then deftly slipped out. It
was splendid show.
rs there much danger, Mr.. Cross?"
asked.
"I think the lion has been too we'll
trained. However, what risk there is
seems to be appreciated, for 1 have no.
ticed that some people come to every
show, perhaps on the principle that actu-
ated the conduct OF those who never
missed seeing Van Amburgh of old place
his head in the lions mouth"
People will surely ask me IL the lion
is drugged.'
MY best answer Is to ask you to give
them the evidence Of your own eyes. If
the animal had been so treated, could he
be 50 alert?"
But how about the claws? Are they
drawn?"
For answer Clyto showed me the lions
paws. There could be no doubt about
the power Of his majesty's claWS.-Lon-