Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-08-04
TALES OF PLUCK
and ADVENTURE.


tame the biggest polar bear in the
Bronx Park Geological Gardens with
peanuts and mystic signs, which were
neither digestible nor polite. He had
his right hand chewed off by the Graf
ty bruin for his trouble. The bear
would have torn his whole arm off but
for three keepers, who hnrpooncd the
animal with long spears until it re.
leased its hold.
Farrell lives at No. GG4 East 14Jth
street, and is twentyfour years OF age.
For several years he has earned II liv-
ing in local museums as II snake
charlner. His parents, with whom he
lives, say that ever since he was Il lit
tie boy he has been fond of wild ami
mails, over whom he always seemed to
be able to exercise Il peculiar influence.
Frequently he returned from long
trips into the country with snakes
coilcd up in his coat pockets. He al
lowed them to wind themselves around
his neck and nestle against his mouth.
At all times he seemed TO have them
under his control.
He decided recently to apply for
position as Il keeper and trainer in the
Geological Gardens. His father and
mother disapproved of the plan. Far
rell invited them TO go with him to
Bronx Park so that he could show
them how he could charm the wild
beasts and birds in the park.
First hn won't to the large cage,
where the snakes--10O in all-arc kept.
He stood close to the edge and talked
to them. He spoke some mystic words
which he emphasized by a number of
peculiar movements Of the hands. The
snakes crowded toward him and
showed their elation by shaking their
heads in rhythmic unison. He ordered
them to dance and they dashed their
tails around in glceful mirth.
"Sce how they obey mel" he OBJ
served, turning to his father and
mother A big crowd followed him to
the cage where the black bears make
their summer home. Climbing over
the iron guard rail in front Of the cage
he called to the bears to come to him.
He waved his hand at them. and as
they approached tossed them several
peanuts and some candy, which they
eagerly devoured.
He then said something in low
voice to which they nodded in satisfac-
faction. Farrell, then placing his
hand through the iron bars of the cage,
put it into the mouths of the bears
laden with more peanuts. He ordered
the bears to stand on their launches
and then to dance, all Of which they
did, to the qualification of the crowd.
a policeman finally came along and
drove Farrell away.
Farrell then went to see the polar
bears, which have been noted for their
unwillingness to submit to domestic
habits, and undertook to cast Il magic
spell over them. The big white bears
enjoyed it immensely while the pea
nuts and candy lasted.
They allowed Farrell to make faces
and funny signs at them, and even
permitted him to pat them on the head.
One of the bears rolled over Oh the
ground in wild abandon and another
grinned while he played leapfrog with
his companions.
When the candy and peanuts gave
out Farrell called the biggest of the
bears over to the side of the cage, i'll
tending to make n sensational climax
to his exhibition. Before he realized
1t the animal grabbed his outstretched
right hand and tried to draw Farrell
into the cage. His shoulders got
caught between the bars and Bruin
could get him no further.
Farrell screamed for help and the
crowd became hysterical. Three keep
ers with long spears quickly appeared
and plunged the sharp points Of the
weapons into the sides of the bear a
dozen times before it let go its hold
on Farrell's hand, which was torn
into shrcds. AS it Is he may lose his
whole arm If blood poisoning sets in.
what fool was" Farrell OBJ
served as he was taken away to Ford
ham Hospital, ITO try and tame polar
Dcar"-Ncw York Herald.