The age-herald., 1901-12-01
AN EDITOR IN A LIONS CAGE.
How Wager Was Won After an
 Excitinu Scene.

London News Berlin Correspondent.
 A chief editor in a lions cage Is the latest sensation at Frankfort -on- Main. The gentleman in question is Herr Muller Herrfurth, the editor of the Frankfort Sun, member of the Town Council and well-known sportsman.
 The Frankfort papers last week in- formed the public that Herr Muller Herr furth would make the Saturday evening performance especially interesting by en- tering the lions cage with Mile. Margue- rite, who performs every evening In the hippodrome with her seven trained lions, and there open and drink bottle of champagne. as he had wagered he would do. The result of this announcement one 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 ar rived. Herr Muller Herrfurth. a stout man of middle size, entered the hall in full evening dress, with top hat and pat ent leather shoes. He walked up to a seat reserved for him and sat down. In the meantime the curtain rose. On the stage stood the large cage in which the | seven great lions awaited their mistress. The latter 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, jump ing through hoops. drilling, etc. Then, after firing off pistol, she left the cage | and disappeared behind the stage, while the cage and it's occupants remained visi- ble.
 The audience now began to grow im- patient, and shouts were heard: Turn him out!' ''He has made fool of usr'
 Hiss him?' etc. At once however, the
 manager stepped up to the footlights and
 said: Ladies and gentlemen. the great moment has come, and Herr Muller Herr furth will carry out his wager" Turn
 ing to the latter, he added, Mir. Muller Herrfurth, If you wish to win your bet
 please step up. Mile Marguerite will make
 you acquainted with her friends Breath
 less silence prevailed The journalist left
 his seat with the words T am ready and stepped on the stage with erect bear ing. The lady met him, he gallantly kissed
 her hand, and then entered the cage. A
 little table had already been placed in-
 side covered with a white cloth, On it
 was bottle of You've Cliquot, and near 1t were two chairs. Mile. Marguerite op- ened the bottle and signed to the gen. tleman to advance The excitement among the public had reached its height. Herr Muller Herrfurth cooly opened the cage door and walked in. He took hold of the
 DOttle anu ilieQ Doti 6idS6cb WHIie Hlile. Marguerite chased the lions about. Then holding his glass of sparkling wine he stepped into the middle of the cage, and, turning to the public, said, "I empty this glasr to the health of the cour- ageous lion-tamer." The latter clinked glasses with him, and both drank. The public was now in a frenzy of cnthus- iasm, shouting, Long live Muller!' Bravo Muller!' etc. Mile. Marguerite next asked Muller to take seat Both sat down, the gentleman filledsthe glasses again. while Marguerite coaxed the larg- est lion to come near her. He stalked up majestically. gazing full of curiosity at the stranger. Herr Muller bent toward him, and stroked him. Other lions came slowly up and were all likewise petted. The journalist then lit cigar and hand ed the burning match to his neighbor who lit a cigarette with it. The glasses were again filled and clinked and emp tied to the health of the audience amid deafening cheers, and the performance was ended.