The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1901-07-20

SudTuS& were tdDS6uC,E anu #$ once HDFG
the deadly nausea seemed to steal over
her. But Jim was there, and he
smiled encouragingly. She struggled
to overcome this hitherto unknown
fear, and prepared to put the lions
through their PAGES. s:5
Cerberus was tractable enough, but
Diabolo, always uncertain in his tenn
per, was unusually impatient this aft
ernoon. But the performance went on
to all intents and purposes just as
usual, and with heartfelt thankfulness
Marie braced herself for the last feat.
"a wild dance over and among the
lions, ending in final tableau as she
tune of Hail Columbia 2 .5ss
She gave. a cut with her whip to
force the lions into recumbent post
t1ons, when just as she made her first
pose between them, a huge mastih,
which, unnoticed by it's owner, had
been creeping nearer and nearer to the
cage, now sprang at the bars, bark
ing f1ercely. : II you have ever seen
this happen as I have, you already
foresee the result; if not, I can hardly
picture to you the wild fear, panle
and the fury of the lions.
Still and trembling for one brief in-i
slant, they rushed at each other and,
before Marie could change her posi-
tion, she lost her balance and fell
heavily against the bars while the
shock dislodged the tiny pistol always
N her belt, and flung it far beyond her
reach. Then the lions turned upon
her, their eyes wild with fury.
"Cerberus, Diabolo," she shouted, as.
she struck at them with her whip
trying in vain to fix them with herl
eyes. But it was useless. Three times
they chased her round the cage while
the audience held their breath. e
THE guards!' gasped the people,
'Oh! God, the guards" their absence
being now noticed for the first time.
All! but the audience had forgotten
Jim! Snatching the long-handled
fork (kept for emergency, he dashed
at the cage, jabbing and prodding the
lions with it's stinging prongs. Nothing
but the knowledge that he must he
outside the cage-door> to open it Tor
Marie, kept him from dashing i'm
among the lions, whom he seemed Ito
fear no more than ants. #
Then, as for one instant driven ito
the end Of the cage, they turned again
upon Marie, Jim flung the door wide
openshe dashed ollt and the heavy
iron swung to again, but not before
Diabolo's claws had fastened upon Jim,
ripping his arm open from shoulder
to wrist, and almost tearing it from
it's socket. AS he sank upon the
ground bleeding, unconscious mass,
Mr.. McGrath and the delinquent
guards hurried to the spot.
The audience rose to a man, and
for moment panic seemed inevitable.
But the thought in every mind that it
was probably all over for Jim, did
more to quiet them than the efforts of
the manager, and as several doctors
hurried from the crowd, and Jim on
hastily improvised litter, was borne
from the tent, followed by Marie, her
self bleeding from several wounds, the
tfnsel and gauze almost torn off her
back, many women and even men
sobbed aloud . @-
When the lacerated arm had been
dressed and the fractured shoulder set
the doctors turned their attention to
Marie, telling her that it might have
been SO much worse, for though Jim's
left arm would be useless for many
months (they feared, though they
never hinted it, forever), his iron con-
stitution and sober habits would has
ten and insure his recovery.
Marie's injuries were mere flesh
wounds, painful, but in no wise dan
gereous, and though the doctors mo-
mentarily expected total nervous COL
lapse, she pulled herself together in a
way marvellous to behold, seeming to
have eyes, ears and thoughts for no
one but Jim. ,
The next day, as Jim lay faint and
weak but conscious upon his bed. with
Marie sitting beside him and Jimmys
cradle close by, Marie said, bravely:
s" 1T is Eat you are now to worry about
nossing, my Jim, me, I will work for
bose while you and re bebe get we'll"
Jim smiled family, as she leaned
over him lovingly, but: his well hand
closed with astonishing strength over
hers, as she said firmly: That's as
1t may be, Marie, but you'll have to
work at something else, for though
I've lost one arm, maybe, I've still got
the other, and you and me has unit
the circus business for good. No" as
she seemed about to interrupt him.
I've said my say, and though i don't
put my foot down often, it's down This
time for keeps. .
And it was just at this juncture that
their good landlady handed Marie q
letter addressed to jim in a queer mn
formed hand, and while Marie held II
for him, Jim, with difficulty. read as
follows:
I'm a plain felier and no saint b,,+
do admire a brave man when I meet bi,,
and ] never see a heater Job tha - ,tt,1ls 1,s
done yesterday. hear the gaI,a1' 1,a,.
wife. and if We ever leave her fo The
lion act again say We don't deserve to
keep her. As We may be a bit short iii
sye git goin' again, ] enclose ! frif,e
which / shan't never miss from Z ni1a +
made on the trak last week. Ana a. W.
needn't never try tosthank me fer r shsll*
lr4 yvrr ,ry H