The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1897-03-11

any instant might be to him as fate.
There was nothing to especially awak-
en- fear; and, half yexed with himself
for having been needlessly disturbed,
he passed from the great canvas into
smaller compartment, and found his
wife and child waiting for him-the
one young and beautiful woman, and
the other very fairy of a child, whose
hair hung down upon her back, as the
brightest and finest of spun silk.
81 am sorry, Joe," said the wife
and mother as her husband entered,
"that you have consented to so fool
ish performance as the one adyer-
tised for today"
"Why, May?" and be looked most
earnestly at her.
because the ordinary performance
is hazardous enough"
"Then you think this more so?"
II don't know that it is" she re-
piled, having the utmost confidence in
her husbands ability; "but somehow
don't altogether fancy having Inez
taken into the cage.
."You know my reason for consent
ing, and that it would never have been
given had your assent not been first
obtained.
Certainly, and it was very good of
you, Joe."
"That it was promised on account
OF my salary being raised"
"Yes."
"And that it was to secure the rise
of salary, so as the sooner to ac-
cumulate enough to buy little home
against the rainy days that might
come"
"Yes, my dear Joe; but'-w
smile-''had not pride someth
do with it? That's the CURSE
profession. Each one is alway
ing to outdo the other-runningt
on that account they would not other
wise attempt"
"WelI, May, I only gave my
promise to do the act once, but even
now will give it up if you say the
word. had rather disappoint all the
managers and be called a coward by
allithe rabble in the world, than cause
your heart to beat with fear
or to bring tears into your eyes.
mo, no, Joe. Don't think have
lost confidence and pride in you. No,
don't think of giving it up. l sup
pose am foolishly nervous. Butyou
will be careful, and not run any un-
necessary risk?"
"My own heart would have to be
torn out before anything should hap
pen to our darling;" and he stopped,
raised the child, tossed her up, caught,
kissed her, and hugged her to his
bosom.
The conversation did not tend to
ease his mind, and before dressing he
went out and held another conversa-
ton with his particular attendant,
and took another look into the per-
forming cage.
The animals were more quiet than
when he had seen them previously;
the lioness especially seemed in play
full mood, and with something of the
load lifted from his heart he returned,
with but little time remaining be-
fore he would be called upon to prove
his right to the proud title of Lion
Tanner.
And every inch he looked one as he
stepped in view of the densely crowd
ed assembly. Gorgeous in his new
costume, and with look OF calmness
and determination upon his face
looked, with his tall, sinewy form,
tit to grapple with and overcome the
tiercest beasts that ever prowled
amid the jungles of Asia and Africa,
and made night terrible with their
roaring.
A burst of applause-a perfect tenn
pest of huzzas and clapping of hands
greeted him as he swung his little
girl, dressed in silver tissue, and with
the gossamer wings and tiara of spark
ling jewels around her golden curls,
that represent the traditional fairy,
upon his shoulders.
With a graceful bow and the dig
nifty of a Roman conquerer, the lion
tanner strobe through the circle, dis
appeared behind the cage, and with
such rapiditv as to astonisL the au-