St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-04-24

see him in the big tent. Iseen it o
the show bills"
Amt you maxim fun of me, 81?
she asked. my sakes! / wouldn't g
in that cage fer nawthtn'."
"Pshaw! it's easy we1en you kno7
how to do it." said Silas. "He does
with his eye. Hypnertizes EN-"
Whats that?" she asked. "Hoy
kin anybody hypnertize a lion, sir"
We'll, he jist looks him plum in tn
eye, steady. l read all about it once
When he looks hard enough the lion
got ter do what he wants him ter do
Amt that funny, now!" giggle'
Sally Il bet you couldn't do it."
Il bet 1 KIM" he boasted; 81 got
mighty steady eye"
They had edged their way up to thu
lions cage, and as the lion lowered
his gaze it fell on the scarlet O
Silas' tie.
We'll, my DEAR" said the lion, &c
may be getting stout, but I'll show vol
my eye has lost none of it's cunning
See that man with the red spot OF
his breast? l will hold him spell
bound as did the OK and the English
man until you are convinced"
The lion arose and walked to the
front of the cage, his eyes fastened on
Silas' face.
Sally screamed and drew back in
terror, but Silas laughed.
Don't be scared" he said; "jist
hang onto me. I'll show you kin
hypnertize him."
What you goin' ter make him do?"
asked Sally, TREMENDOUSLY.
I'm a-goin' ter make him go back
an lay down." said Silas. He braced
his feet firmly and gazed straight into
the lions eyes, repeating slowly under
his breath: go an lay down! Go an
lay down." and the lion leaned his
nose against bar and glared at
Silas.
The crowd edged close to Silas.
What's he doin'?'' they asked in
whispers.
Sally giggled.
He's hypnertizin' the lion," she
whispered, proudly, and the word
passed from one to another, and all
stood eagerly watching Silas and the
lion by truns.
The pupils of the lions eyes con-
tracted and expanded. Flashes of vel
low fire few from them. His tail
swung slowly to and fro, coiling and
uncoiling like an angry serpent.
S1las wrinkled his brow and froWned
steadily at the lion He clenched his
fists and drew every muscle tense. He
breathed quickly, and dug his toes into
the insoles of his boots, and tried to
concentrate his whole being into the
words: Go an lay down." that ran
through his brain, ind the minutes
slipped by.
The crowd wearied and passed on,
but Silas and the lion stood motion.
less.
The lion swung his tail more rapid.
ly, and his nostrils quivered with ex
citement, and Silas set his teeth on
his tongue and lowered his eyelids
until his eyes cleaned narrow ant
snake-like.
The lioness raised her khaki-colored
head and gazed on the affair with in
terest, and Sally glanced proudly at
Slias' face and then anxiousIy at the
tent.
Sllas grew warm and uncomfortable
and shifted his weight from foot to
foot. The veins swelled into great
cords on his neck and hands. and hs
threw his chin upward and bent his
head forward. go an lay down." he
almost Kissed, but the lion swung
his tail and gazed steadily with I'M
winking eyes.
In the big tent the band began play.
ng. Sally and Silas were left alone
with the lioness and her mate. Silas
onged to turn and fly, but the repu-
alton OF his eye was at stake. The
ion too was weary. He seldom stood |
30 long, for he had grown fat in cap
ivity
A burst OF applause in the big tent
old that the grand triumphal entry
md pageant of all nations" had begun.
md Sally pulled gently at Silas' arm.
The lioness stretched herself and
We'll, dear" she said, 'I admit your
we has lost none of its cunning. Come
md lie down now, or you will be too
ired to sleep tonight"
The lion gave Silas a parting glance.
urned slowly and lay down beside his
nate, and Silas Strengthened his
back and wiped his hot face.
You done it, didn't your" said Sally.
Hurry on, or we won't git no seats in
he big tent"