The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-04-07
Lion Cub Pet.

Some few years ago, in au old Vi:-
ginia home, I chanced to see one Of
the strangest sights one could well inl-
agine-a full grown lion with three
children as playmates. The home be-
longed to relative of mine, where l
had come for short visit; but at the
gate paused in CONSERVATION to see
the beautiful "king Of the forest
leap out just like a tame dog. Tie
children called and the handsome ami
NAL bounded to them and commenced
to play. I was amazed, for I had new
| er conceived that lion, of all animals,
could be domesticated. He played
with the children as one of them, lick
ing their hands; again taking them in
his "huge arms, as it were, and ell
tering into their games and amusc-
ments. A dog ran up, but Leo was
jealous of their attention, and with
one blow of his big paw the dog YVES
unceremoniously slapped over, leaving
the lion masterof the field.
On reaching the house one of my
first questions was to ask my cousin
the history of the childrcn's pct,
which I will give in her own words:
Zone day, some two years ago, a
circus was passing through the coun-
try, and while they were in the town
lion cub was born. 1t was not lar
ger than a good-sized puppy, and, as
the circus was on its summer trip, and
they could not be bothered with it.
they were going to kill it, | begged it
from them; they we're glad to be rid Of
their unwelcome visitor, and gave him
to me.
cleo was a pretty little thing, and
very gentle. He was fed out of a bottle
like baby, and grew up with the chill
dren till he became their companion
and protector.
alarmed to see lion running at large,
and talked so much about it that at
last it even made the grown members
Of the family nervous, and they deter
mined to part with him. lie was a
magnificent specimen, far more beau
tiful than any kept in confinement,
and my cousin sent word to the me-
nageries in Lincoln Park, Chicago,
that if they would send for Leo they
might have him, we'll knowing that
| the keepers would give him all care
and attention. Many tears were shed
when he was sent away, and the chill
dren refused to be comforted for the
loss of their playmate.
"Two years went by and the famous
world fair in c. icago was the abb
sorbing topic of he day. My cousin
and her eldest girl visited it, but not
even the beauties of the white City
With it's many attractions could keep
them from Leo. AS they came near
his cage he ran to the side nearest
them, and seemed to know the child.
Her mother was afraid, and called to
her to stand back, but the girl an
swcrcd: LEO will not hurt me, man.
ma; see, he knows me- and indeed he
did. The mighty lion put his front
paws through the bars, pressed his
face against them and pulled his play
mate to him, holding her in his arms,
as he had done many times in his far
away home in Virginia, licking her
face for joy. Mother and child had
tears in their eyes when they at last
left their dumb friend. y
Strange as this may seem, it is a
true story, many people knowing all
the circumstances. 1t is we'll to show
what kindness to dumb animals may
make of them. Leo might some day
have shown his savage nature and
harmed the children, but it is hardly
probable. Our Animal Friend.