The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-02
Performing Beasts.

One of the many queer features 10 be
noted I'm the study oS captive life is the
fact that nearly all animals have one
particular form OF punishment which APP
peals TO them more forcibly than any
other A certain celebrated lion seems 10
fear nothing In the world save stick in
the trainers left hand. II i'm the right
hand IL is nothing but an ordinary stick,
and not at all to be feared: but let the
man shift IL to his left, and IL instantly
become endowed. TO that lions mind,
with lmitless powers and possibilities. a
risky young tigress, whose performances
are now over. I'm her palmy days was af-
fected only by her trainers blowing
sharply on her nose. This apparently sim
pie operation never failed 10 electrify her
in to an instant's rigid immovability, thus
giving the man a chance for more heroic
treatment. The trainer discovered this
peculiarity quite by accident, and. on the
first occasion was nearly as much aston
ished at the result as the animal herself.
An instance OF this trait took place In
Berlin five or six years ago. BY way OF
introduction Il should he explained that
almost the first thing an animal learns
when he rs performing with other ami
mails is that his block or chair, or what
ever II may be. is his own particular
| property. where he can retire when his
| act Is over and whore he II sure OF not
! being disturbed by the trainer or his fell
| lows lion finds this out very quickly:
| and II he sees~another I'm his place-even
| though by accident--will promptly dis
| lodge him. no matter II the intruder be
| three times his size.
Three lions were concerned In the fol-
| lowing affair: Sammy, "A two-year-old of
/ amazingly bucolic habits, newly import
ed and lust beginning his education. consc-
| quently very green, Caesar. a splendid
! specimen of his race. affable and courte-
| Gus upon nearly all occasions, with one
| bad exception; aud Caesars mate. a
| shapely Young lioness who suffered uu-
der the name NJ Mrs Grundy. 10y reason
| Of her oxce"dug occurrences and prOpri-
\ stv. Caesars block was between Mrs.
| Grundy's and Sammys: and he usually
! turned his back on the latter I'm order a.
| bestow his whole attention upon his lady
/ love Mrs. Grundy accepted his homage
calmly. and ordered him right and left a.
| best suited her whlm ana pleasure To
! the rest OF the world Caesar was any
thing but lamb-like. His disposition was
| narred BY an abominable quick temper
| though after the first fash he was al
| WAYS sorry for ~. and begged pardon
| like man sometimes, unluckily. after
| the damage had been done. And he was
4 so sincerely repentant, and showed u 81
I plainly, Thar rfIE rrHtutr could not bTi
| forgive him. That did not prevent the man
from trying by every power to prevent
these outbursts Of rage.
| Irpon the night OF Sammvs debut things
| went Of all right until after the see-sav
act. Sammy had not yet become fully &C.
| customed 10 the rocking plank. tho~~
| he stood that and the lights and the gaze
| OF the crowds remarkably well. But hs
| was glad when II was over. and Jumped
| down IN = hurry 10 get 90 his block. II has
| been said that Sammy was bucolic n,
4 was also clumsy. and had no manners a
all. And, In addition. he was somcv ha