The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-17
n Lion

Oondon News Berlin Correspondent
A chief editor in a lions cage is the
latet- sensation at Fran. ort-on-Main.
The gentleman in question is Herr Null
Ter Herrfurth, the editor of the Frank
fort Sun, a membe CT the town cOuI-
Gil n a sportsman. The
Frankfort papers last week informed
the public that Herr Muller Herrfurth
would make the Saturday evening per-
Torrance especially interesting by en-
tering the lions cage with Mile. Mar
guerite, who performes every evening
in the ~hippodrome with her seven
trained lions. and there open n drink
a bottle of champagne, as he had bet
ted he would do. The result of this an
nOuncement n may imagine. The
great hall was full half an hour before
the commencement of the performance.
Mile. Marguerite with her lions was to
be one of the last turns" AT last the
great moment arrived. Herr Muller
derrfurth, a stout ma of middle size,
entered the hall in full evening dress,
with top hat and patent leather shoes.
All eyes were turned toward him. He
walked up to a seat reserved for him
and sat down. In the meanwhile the
curtain rose. On the stage stood the
large cage in which the seven great
lions awaited their mistress. The lat
ter soon put in an appearance, armed
with a tremendous whip. She stepped
quickly into the cage and put her pets
through all their usual tricks, jumping
through hopps. drilling. etc. Then, after
firing off a pistol. she left the cage and
disappeared behind the stage, while the
cage and it's occupants remained Wis
ible.
The audience nov began to grow i'm
patient, and shouts were heard: Turn
him outi' He has made a fool of us!"
Hiss him." etc. At once. however.
the manager stepped UP to the foot
lights and said: Ladies and gentle
men, the grea. moment has come, and
Herr Muller Herrfurth will carry out
his wager" Turning to the latter he
added. Mr.. Muller Herrfurth, if you
wish to win Your bet please step up.
Mile. Marguerite will make you ac-
quainted with her friends" Breathless
silence prevailed. The journalist left
his sat with the words, Il am ready"
and stepped on the stage with erect
bearing. The lady met him, he gal
lantly kissed her hand, and then enter
ed the cage. A little table had already
been placed inside covered with a white
| cloth On it was a bottle of champagne
and near it were two chairs. Mile. Mar
| guerite opened the bottle and signed to
the gentleman to advance. The excite
ment among the public had reached its
| height. Herr Muller Herrfurth cody
opened the cage door and walked in.
He too hold of the bottle and filled
| both glasses while Mile. Marguerite
chased the lions about. Then holding
his glass of sparkling win he stepped
into the middle of the Gag and, turn
ing to the public. said. II empty this
| glass to the health of the courageous
lion tanner" The latter clinked glasses
with him and both drank. The public
was now in a frenzy of enthusiasm,
shouting Long live Mulleri" Bravo
Muller!" etc. Mile. Marguerite next
asked the journalist 20 lake a seat.
Both sat down. the gentleman filled the
glasses again, while mademoiselle
coaxed the largest lion to come near
her. Her stalked up majestically, gaz-
ing full of curiosity at the stranger
Herr Muller bent toward him and
Stroked him. Other lions came slowly
up and were all likewise patted. The
journalist then lit a cigar and handed
the burning match to his neighbor, who
lit a cigarette with it. The glasses
were again filled and clinked and
emptied to the health Of the audience
amid deafening cheers. and the per.
Torrance was ended.