Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-09


The two brown cubs were sleepily lying
on the brink of the water basin. The black
bear rolled sleepleSsly in the shade of a
rock ledge. Finally he rose, waddled over
to the tank to drink. and then sat down
on his launches. His eyes fell on the two
drowsy cubs. With snort he rose again,
and then deliberately gave one of the brown
bears a shove into the tank
The cub came up on the opposite side
with a howl. His partner gave a respon-
sive howl. Then both charged the black
bear. There was a momentary Scuff1e an
ursine yell and the black bear went into the
tank. He rose after his Involuntary dive,
and tried to crawl out, but a brown paw
came down on his nose with such force
that he turned to the other side. Again he
tried to crawl out, but again a powerful
rap on his head sent him back. Again and
again he tried to regain the rock brink
each time he was pushed back. Whenever
he made an attempt the two brown cubs
were on hand to knock him down. Finally
after that there was no more bullying done
by the black bear.
End of Zoo
Some years ago there was popular
pleasure resort in San Francisco called
Woodwards Gardens. 1t was established
by Mr.. Woodward, an early pioneer and he
imported large variety of wild animals.
The gardens flourlshed in popular favor, for
paying basis.
Finally he died and the property fell into
the hands of persons not so interested in
collecting wild animals as he had been.
The, animals died off as the years passed
ana were not replaced. At la only a few
were left, among them two big African
lions, confined in cages that faced each
other.
The enmity of these beasts had been well
known for years, but they had ONLY been
express hat hy
roars and snarls, or by glaring contemptu-
ously across the grounds.
In the end only these two survivors of a
once large community were left All the
other cages were empty. Local newspapers
urged through their editorial columns that
the two survivors ought to be painlessIy put
out or the way, in order to end what had
become miserable public spectacle of
than was expected.
The cages stood in the open air, in a
great circle about an arena where trained
animals had performed feats in the old
days. one bright moonlight night some
body opened the doors of the cages of the
two lions, in spirit of mischief probably
The gardens We're deserted except by some
Keepers who had grown old with them
These Keepers heard a roar in the arena
One of the lions stood in the moonlight his
name bristllng, his head thrown up Tho
CID men closed the big gates to the street,
put dared not enter the arena. The keepers
Another roar answered the lions chal-
lcnge; his old enemy came limping across
the open space. For some time they
crouched opposite each other their tails
switching from side to side. Then, with a
simultaneous roar, they rushed upon each
other. The fight was short. The old beasts
were not equal to the excitement of such
an encounter. When morning came thev
We're found dead-the last of Mr.. Wood
wards once famous menagerie of wild ami
mails.
Kangaroo VS.. Buffalo.
There is small town in Colorado whose
ambition it has been to possess a geological
park. So the municipality laid out some
land for the purpose. Land was easy to get,
but when 1t came to gathering in the ami
mails the question became a complicated
one. Finally. the officials got together some
coyotes. two tame wolves, a wild cat, a.
black bear and an old buffalo bull 1t was
the tamest collection of wild beasts that
was ever put together. excepting, perhaps
the buffalo. He still labored under the de-
fusion that he could boss things as he had
done years ago in his youth.
Some time after. a circus came to the
town, and before 1t could get out became
financially embarrassed
The municipality was thus enabled to huv
at a low price various specimens from the
circus manager. Among the purchases was
a boxing kangaroo.
Next day the animals were taken out to
the geological park The kangaroo was put
down into the same inclosure with the buff
falo, il being supposed that the extensive
ness of the space would prevent trouble be-
tween the two.
But the old Dull challenged the kangaroo
at once to mortal combat At first the Aus
tfalian tried to. avoid the American and
cleverly lodged, but finally the buffalo's re-
peated charges became too fiery to be ig-