The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-04-22
OoMESTlCATED LION CUB.
Circus Baby Which Was Adopted by
Some Virginia Children


Some Virginia Children.
Some few years ago in an old Virginia
home CHANGED TO see one of the strangest
sights one could well imagne-a full
grown lion with three children as play
mates The home belonged to a relative
of mine, where | had come for short
visit, But at the gate | paused in con-
sternatiOn to see the beautiful king OF
the forest" leap out just like "a tame dog,
The children called, and the handsome
animal bounded to them and commenced
TO play was amazed, for | had never
conceived that lion of all animals could
be domestcated. He played with the chill
dren as one of them, licking their hands
Again taking them in his huge arms,
as it were and entering into their games
and amusements. A dog ran up, but Leo
was jealous of their attention, and with
one blow of his big paw the dog was un'
tremendously slapped over, leaving the
lion master Of the field
On reaching the house one of my first
questions was to ask my cousin the history
of the children's pet which will give in
her own words:
passing through the country, and while II
was in the town a lion cub was born IL
was not larger than a good sized puppy
and as the circus was on its summer TRIP,
and the circus people could not be bothered
with II they were going to kill it. l beg
oed IL from them. They were glad to he
rid of their unwelcCme visitor, and gave
him TO me.
LEO was pretty little thing and very
gentle. He was fed out of bottle ike =
baby. and grew up with the children I'LL
he became their companion and protector
"As he grew larger people became
alarmed to see lion running at ,aree
| and talked so much about 1t that AT ias'
| even made the grown members OF the IAN
ily nervous, and they determined 10 par
with him. He was IA magnificent specl
| men far more beautiful than any KEPT u
| confinement, and my cousin sent woro U
| the menarerie in Lincoln park, chicago
| that IL il would send for Leo it might nav
! him. we'll knowing that the keepers woui
Give him all care and attention Man
fears were shed when he was sent ava!
and the children refused to be cohllor'e
for the loss of their playmate
"Two wears went by, and the falnou
Worlds fair in Chicago was the apsorpi II
tonic of the day. My cousin and her ei'
oct Girl visited it, But not even the ne''
ties Of the White City with its many u
fractions could keep them from Leo =
tbev came near his cage he ran to the s ~
nearest them, and seemed to Know u, u
child. Her mother was afraid ana cam
~ her 10 stand back, but the girl ansWere,
leo will not hurt me, mamma pee, ~
Knows me And indeed lac did' II
mighty lion put his front paws tnr ' u,
the bars, pressed his face against , ,nCii q =
nnllcd his playmate to him, holding l.
IN IN his arms. as he had cone many times ,
bjs foraway home in Virginia, licking i
face for ioy. Mother ard child haa , ,,''
ia thcir ewes when they at last leu 'i''
dumb friend - O. n r.
strange as this may seem, it Is a u
! story. many people knowing all yhT -, :
cu,ostopccs 1t is well to show whi' !. Nh L.
moss 10 dumb animals may MAKE VI '"o'
Ioo MIGHT some day have shown MS % .
, a a'Te nature and harmed the children D
: ~ is hardly probable Our ANN
t Friends.