The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-04-07
DOMgSTICATED LION CUB.
4 Circus BABY Which Was Adopted by
Some Virginia Children.

Some few years ago in an old Virginia
home chanoed to see one of the strangest
sights one could well imagine-a full
grown lion with three children as play
mates. The home belonged 10 relative
Of mine, where 1 had come for short
visit. But ut the gate i paused in con-
Sternation to sec the beautiful king OF
the forest" leap out just like u tame dog.
Tho 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 domesticated. He played with the chill
tren as ono of them, licking their hands
Again taking them in his huge arms,
as il 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 1 will give in
her own words:
lone day, some years ago, a circus was
passing through the country, and while 1t
was i'm the town lion cub was born. IL
was not larger than u good sized puppy,
and as the circus was on its summer trip,
and the circus people could not be bothered
with it they were going to Kill it, 1 beg
ged it from them. They were glad To BE-
rid OF their unwelcome visitor, and gave
him 10 me-
LEO was pretty little thing and very
gentle. He was fed out of u bottle like u
baby, and grew up with the children till
he became their companion and protector.
GAS he grew larger people became
alarmed to sec a lion running at large,
and talked so much about it that at last 1T
even made the grown members of the fam
lily nervous, and they determined To part
with him. He was magnificent speci-
men, far more beautiful than any kept In
confinement, and my cousin sent word to
the menagcrie in Lincoln park, Chicago,
that il il would send for Leo il might hav.
him, well knowing that the keepers would
give him all care and attention. Many
tears were shed when he was sent away,
and the children refused to be comfOrted
for the loss Of their playmate.
"Two years went by, and the famous
Worlds fair in Chicago was the absorbing
topic of the day. My cousin and her eld-
est girl visited il. But not even the beau
ties of the White City with it's many at
fractions could keep them from Leo. As
they came near his cage he ran to the side
nearest them, and seemed to know tn,
child. Her mother was afraid and called
to her tn stand hack, hut 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 bis face against them and
pulled his playmate to him, holding hes
In his arms, AZ he bad dome many times In
his faraway home i'm Virginia, licking her
face for joy. Mother and child had tears
In their eyes when they al last left their
dumb friend"
Strange ms this may seem, IL is n true
story, many people knowing all the OH
oumstances. II is well To show what kind
ness to dumb animals may make Of them.
| Leo might some day have shown his sav.
age nstuc and harmed the children, bui
| il IL hardly probable. Animal
| Friends