The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-07-26

n
TIL. feeling of wild animals for human
bein that is presented here is commonly
believed to be Inconsistent with the eN-
perience OF wild animal trainers. on that
account II is appropriate 10 state that
this story. in every essential, is founded
on fact.-The Editor.
The canYases were wet and sticky.
A drenching downpour early in the
forenoon had put them in that condi-
tion. Streamers hung in little gummy
balls, and tapped back and forth With
doleful pretense of hilarity when they
were coaXed into ii by the fresh breeze,
Farnum sat on a box southeast of
the dressing tent and thought of Da-
wilson. There had been a good deal of
friendship between the two men in one
way or another ever since the short,
pudgy, gOod-natured "menagerie" man
had come into the circus, and so into
Farnums life. Davidson had ruled the
two magnificent lions-the bills intro
duced them as the Twin Hercules"
and ruled them as Farnum had known
no other man to do save one, and that
one had so far outreached Farnum' 5
life and remembrance that the neces-
sity of filling Davidsons place. and
that. too, quickly, failed to awaken the
recollection.
For Davidson was dead-had met his
end at the sudden bursting forth of the
savage instincts of the very beasts he
had bantercd, and teased. and bent to
his own will. the while devils burned in
their eyes and fear dilated their nos
trils The Twins loved few; and Viat
love they could give never wholly re-
placed nor subdued their Unborn hate
of man and passion for the kill. Far
well, this last was the only theory he
could go upon in determining the cause
OF that gruesOme scene when the keep
ers dragged Davidson, mangled and
bleeding. from the reach of the Twins
Just before the performance in RO-
burne.
"Godw said Farnum aloud and shiv-
cred at the vision before his eyes.
The streamers were slowly being
beaten into full length by the wind.
Men staggered about reekng with
sweat, trundling tent paraphernalia
here and there with reckless precision.
Stettiner, the manager, coming uneX-
pectedly around the dressing tent. ran
full tilt into a fellow with 2 huge stake
on his shoulder. In untangling him
self he caught sight of Farnum.
What in thunder are we going to
do?" he groWled, dropping his thin and
wiry length on the box.
Farnum Strengthened down his coat
collar and put his hack in a more COM
Portable position against a stake.
well. Davies gone, poor devil.' he
sOlilOquiZed softly without looking up.
Who'll you get?'
That's what I want to know. ]
wired McIntyre-hc's the only fellow l
could thinl; OF. but no one knows
whether he'll come or not. Likely not:
he can't get here before Thursday any
way"
Two nights" computed Farnum.
Enough to ruin us" grunted Stet-
timer. THE Twins are the biggest thing
we've got. It's all up if we don't find
somebody. Get your head TO work, can't
you?"
~ rl9n can't think 70 order" object
cd Farnum. rolling n cigarette and
studying matters. Il know only one
man who could manage the Twins, and
hes-well, he wouldn't touch it,"
Nonsense. Why not? We've got
10 have him.
II tell you he won't do it," repeated
Farnum bluntly. He had exclusive
control of the Twins seven years ago,
and now he can light his cigar every
day with what you and l make" Far
mum leaned over and whispered in the
others ear.
millionaire, by lover exclaimed
Stettiner. startled. And you say he's
done IT in seven years? No use then
trying TO reach him in the money line.
Is there any other? Friendship"
stuff vented Farnum. Doubtful
II he'd look at me. No. 1 won't say
that don't know that I believe that.
l don't think anything-anythinc we
could offer-would move the new James
Yaple The Yaple ] knew would have
done anything for the Twins-the man
simply idoliZed them, and the circus,
TOO. ! can remember myself low he
hated TO give them up. Fact. he said
10 me when he went: Farnum. / hate
TO give this up, but it's the best thing
for me, don't you think? I've got my
chance in the world now, and I'd be
fool for not taking it,
You don't believe it-in any way"
persisted Stettiner eagerly
mo, l don't" was the hopeless an
swer
1.-The whole affair could be kept quiet.
you know. And two nights"
You're an idiot, Stettiner." Farnum
broke in with emphasis.
With this Farnum thought he had