Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-09

~ = to be the temper of
the town: If l was
to be killed, every
body wanted to it done.
Naturally, the question proposes itself to the
reader, Why did | not set these rumorS at rest by
Immediately denying them? If the reader is
Snowman he will understand; if not, it may be well
to explain that the American press agent is tough
proposition, who frequently, in a praseworthy at
tempt to secure newspaper space and create public
interest makes all sorts of impossible promises in
the name of his employer without the formality
of consulting the latter. Column upon column
had been devoted by the Indianapolis newspapers
to the tragic death of Nelson, and l felt that
my press agent had taken advantage of public in
terest in the man-kilng tiger to send out state
ment that l would enter the with him.
My surmise less than the truth, for learned
within the hour that my sensational promoter of
publicity had not only made this promise, but had
gone SO far as to forge letter from me- which had
been printed broadcast, and stated that was on
my way to Indianapolis for the express purpose of
conquering the terrible ajah.
When | confronted him with his folly, he ex-
claimed, Great Scott, governor! you don't mean
to say you are going to fall down on me!
The mans efrontery deprived me of the power
What will these editors do to me" he continued,
when go into their offices?"
What will that tiger do to me when go into
his cage?" 1 asked.
well, don't deny it for awhile he pleaded,
until they have time to cool off.
On the following morning the local newspapers
screamed out the intelligence that Bostock alone
would brave Rajah in his cage: Frankly, confess
that my eggs and rolls had little taste read the
news.
1t may bit strange that who has ex-
pressed less contempt for the pugnacity of
wild animals compared with that of man should
grow exercised confronting tiger; but;
there is boundess difference between working an.
animal one has trained and presenting beast that
has killed man within few days.
Why He Feared the Tiger
TO begin, Rajah undoubtedly of the most
ferocous animals in captivity; secondly, he had
in for me- because of terrible drubbing had given
him year BEFORE and thirdly, he had killed his
The last the greatest for fear.
He knew well as that he my muscular
superior. With every possible precaution it
twenty chances to one that l would be terribly
lacerated or killed if entered Rajah's cage had
a wife and family of children. So, my rolls and eggs
had little taste when 1 read my public promise in
the newspapers. There way to crawl out of
it. had to make good. If l attempted to evade
the meeting, counterfeit would be stamped upon
my courage, and that would mean financial ruin.
During the week following my promise we had
arranged benefit performance for the Elks. This
the fitting occasion for me to meet RaJah every
then was saved by the timely arrival of consign-
ment of wild animals from Europe
Among them a wild lion that had never been
out of its travelling cage since the capture IN its
native jungle. l suggested meeting with this lion
in the arena alone. My bloodthirsty friends
cepted the proposition in half-hearted way. They
feared the lion might not be sufficiently dangerous,
On the night of the benefit 1 entered the arena
within cage of wire netting | had devised for
the occasion, called the chicken coop" 1t
about six feet high and five feet in diameter and
set casters. There were two doors opposite
each other and the whole affair open at the top.
When the lion turned into the he i'm