The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-20
Week at Bostock's,

combined in a work of this class.
Week at Bostock's.
Every day there is something new to be
found in Bostocks Wild Animal Arena
IN Lakewood. New animals are received
uhheraided. and on account of the surly
moods which the ANIMAL like human, nc-
tors get in at times, it is necessary to
chahge whole acts without being able to
give formal notice. It not infreuuently
happens that when one of the trainers
goes to the den OF his or her group of
animals the beasts are found to be In such
temper that it would be impossible and
extremely dangerous for the trainer to
make the four-footed actors work Then
another trainer Is hurriedlY- summoned
and another act hurriedly substituted
This is daily occurrence, and the the
audience never knows of change in
the program until 1t sees some new and
unexpected act brought into the arena
Whlle citizens generally are attending
their daily vocations or resting, as the
case may be, all the trainers attached
to Mr. Bostock's staff here are busy,
morning, noon and night Their life is
not one of rest and ease, as many sup
pose. New acts are to be studied out and
tried. and as fast as n trainer perfects
the details of an act he has many weary
hours of patient struggle before he sees
the often stubborn animals in his group
ready to perform with any degree OF sat
isfactlon. OF course none but the train
er regularly attached to n group of ami
mails dare attempt to handle that group.
Any attempt on the part of any other
trainer would only result in confusion and
probably disaster to the man or woman
making the try.
Wild animals have first to learn train
er and then be taught to obey that one
person. After these lessons have been
learned the average animal can be taught
to do some things by that trainer, but the
minute that any stranger enters the den
the beast is Immediately hostile and hunt
ing an opportunity to injure that per-
son.
The management Is now considering the
advisability OF having DIR. Charles
Epps, veterinary surgeon. perform an
operation on the jaw of one of the ,nrre
polar bears working under Charlie Miller
IN the attack and capture of tile tort.
About two years ago. while In Paris, this
bear had fight with nother Arctic mon
arch, In which one of the tusks of the
former was broken off. Soon after this
an effort was made by Partisan veter-
mary to remove the broken tusk, but only
a part was taken out. From that time on
the bear became more and more surly.
Recently the beast has bitten Charlie MIL
Ter twice, and the sore jaw has developed
an ugly abscess which DR.. Epps says he
can remove with an operation.
PROBABLY next week DR.. Epps will rive
the big animal an anesthetic, after fas-
tehing MIN securely with ropes, and then
open the place on the jaw, scrape the
bone, place an antiseptic on the sore and
close the hole with stitches,
Rays Back Again.
Down the Pike" in which the Rays
Johnny and Emma, are again starring
this season, will be the attraction at
the Bl)ou for one week. commencing
tomorrow evening. The plot frolics
along tho line of mistaken Identities
not new theme, but said to be ad,
mirably handled In the present m
stance. Mr.. Ray has most congenial
role. that of an apartment house jani-
tor, and Mrs Ray is equally fortunate
In her lmpersonation o IA strong mind
ed WIFE, whose husband has penchant
for pretty stenographers. Every line
Is said to bristle with comedy, and
the latter of the most Ringery kind.
Mr.. Rays droll un-making methods
have full sway and are accumulated
through the assistance Of several
comedians and background of brill
liantly attired show girls. There are
number of new and catchy musical
ilutipers N the piece, Whlch go with
a dash and vim.
The first act shows the lobby OF
big apartment house where the jani-
tors trouble begias, and the second
act Is at the famous st. Louis Fair,
where he has many exciting advsntures.
The settings are said to be particular
~ beautiful, especially the Cascades" |
scene. and the costumes represent a
small fortune In rich fabrics.
Tho RDVS bava
selves with an excellent company. in
Guiding a large chorus contingent of
handsome girls. OF Mr.. Rays enter
tanning qualities little need be said,
except that every move, gesture. o. ,,
look, is laugh in itself. His UNI
stretch of mouth and limb
and his odd, squeaty voice are without
comparison. Everything new, but the
title is promised and 1t Is claimed to
be one of the most deliberately
productions on the road this
season.
Matinees will be given on Tuesday, !,
Thursday and Saturday.
Isl q