, 1897-03-22
DOMESTICATED LION CUB.
Circus Baby Which Was Adopted by
Some Virginia Children.

Some few years & i'll an old Nlr-
gtnia home. | CHANGED to see one OF the
strangest sights one could well imagine
"A tull-grown lion with three children
"a playmales. The home belonged 10 Il
relative OF mine, where | had come for
IA short visit; but at the gate | paused
IN CONSERVATION TO see the beautiful
king Of the forest leap out just like
a tame dog. The children called, and
the handsome ANNA bounded to them
and commenced to play. | was amaz-
ed, Tor | had never conceived that Il lion.
Of all animals, could be dOnesticated
lie played with the children as one OF
them, licking their hands: again tax
ing them in his huge arms" Us il were,
and entering inlo 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
unceremonionsly slapped over, leaving
the lion master Of the field, says a writ
err in Animal Friends.
On reaching The house one Of my first
questions was TO ask my cousin the his
tory OF the children's pet, which | will
give in her own words:
One day, some two years ago, n cir
Gus vas passing through the country,
and while they were in the town a lion
cub was born. 1t was not larger 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
were glad 10 be rid of their unwelcome
visitor, and gave him to me.
Leo was a pretty little thing, and
very gentle. He was fed out of a BOT
re like "A baby, and grew up with the
children till he became their compan-
ion and protector.
y he grew larger people became
harmed to see a lion running nj large.
and talked 50 much about it that at last
il even made the grown members OF the
family nervous, and they determined to
para with him. He was Il magnificent
specimen, far more beautiful than any
Kept in confinement, and my cousin
sent word to The menagerie in Lincoln
ntrF, Chicago, That if they would send
Tor Leo they might have him. well
knowing that the keepers would give
lim all care and attention. Many tears
were shed when he was sent away. and
the children refused to be comforted fol
The loss Of their playmate.
Two years went by. and tnc famous
worlds fair in Chicago was the absorb,
ing topic OF the day. My cousin and he,
eldest girl visited it. but not even the
beauties of the White City with is many
attractions could keep them from Leo
As they came near his cage he ran tc
the side nearest them, and seemed tc
know the child. Her mother va afraiC
and called to her to stand back. but The
girl answered: Leo will not hurt me
mamma; 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 playmate
20 him, holding her in his arms, as he
had done many times in his PARKWAY
home in Virginia, licking her face for
joy. Mother and child had tears in their
eyes when they at last left their dumb
+ lend"
Strange as this may seem, ii is n true
sorry, many people knowing all the cir
kindness TO dumb animals may make OF
mem. Leo might some day have shown
lis savage nature and harmed the chill
dren, but it is hardly probable.