Year: 1877

nau your assent not D6en 1rSt ODtalned.


Certainly, and it was very good of
you, joe"


THAT it was promis d on account of
my salary being raised"


eyes"


"And that it was to secure the rise of
salary, so as the sooner to accumulate
enough to buy little home against the
rainy days that might come"


"Yes, my dear Joe but with a
smile" had not pride something to do
with it ? That's the curse of the pro-
fession. Each one is always trying to
outdo the other-running risks on that
account they would not other wise at
tempt"


"Well, May, I only gave my promise
to do the act once, but even now will
give it up if you say the word. had
rather disappoint all the managers and
be called a coward by all the rabble in
the world, than cause your heart to beat
with fear, or to bring tears into your
eyes.


"No, no, Joe. Don't think I have
lost confidence and pride in you. No,
don't think of giving it up. L suppose
L am foolishly nervous. But you will be
careful, and not run any unnecessary
risk 2"


My own heart would have to be torn
out before anything should happen to
our darling;" and he stopped, raised the
child, tossed her up, caught, kissed her,
and hugged her to his bosom.


But yourself, Joe ?''


"Oh, I'll look out for number one."


The conversation did not tend to ease
his mind, and before dressing he went
out and held another conversation with
his particular attendant, and took another
look into the performing cage.


The animals were more quiet than
when he had seen them previously; the
lioness especially appeared in playful
mood, and with something of the load
lifted from his heart he returned, with
but little time remaining before he would
be called upon to prove his right to the
proud title of Lion Tanner.


And every inch he looked one as he
stepped in view of the densely crowded
assembly. Gorgeous i'll his new Co.'S
tune, and with look of calmness and
determination upon his face looked,
with his tall and sinewy form, fit to
grapple with and overcome the fercest
beasts that ever prowled amid the JUL
giles of Asia and Africa, and made night
terrible with their roaring.


A burst of applause-a perfect tenn
pest of huzzas and clapping of hands
greeted him as he swung his little girl,
dressed in silver tissue, and with the
gossamer wings and tiara of sparkling
Jewels around her golden curls, that
represent the traditional fairy, upon his
shoulders. While looking at his stall
wart proportions, the men thought what
a dangerous antagonist he would be,
and the young mothers shuddered at SO
beautiful child being taken into den
of savage animals


With graceful bow and the dignity
of Roman conqueror, the lion tanner
strobe through the circle, disappeared
behind the cage, and with such rapidity
as to astonish the audience, stood within
the compartment where the huge lion
was lying and the agile leopards leaping
about, and had placed his child between
the. claws of the greater brute, and she
was playfully toying with its shaggy
name.


For time he made the leopards leap
about him as kittens, jumping from
corner to corner, resting upon his broad
shoulders, bounding lightly over the ex-
tended whip. Then he gave his atten-
ton to the mother lion, opened her i'm
mense jaws, placed his arm and thrust
his head between them, raised his fairy
like child upon its back, and made it
march around with her. Then he pre-
pared to throw the two cages into one.


Let Inez come out now" whispered
the attendant, uneasily. "You have
enough already to keep your promise,
and the audience won't know the differ
ence."


"No, will go through. Mind what
I told you, and have things ready in case
there should be trouble, though don't
fancy any," Then he continued aloud,
and SO as to be plainly heard by every
one: "Hand me the pail of blood"


A cold shiver, supernatural awe ap-
peared to pass through the frame of all
as the vessel, dripping with crimson
drops, was given to him, and more than
one asked themselves if the man was
mad to thus not only risk his own life,
but that of his beautiful child And
when he loosened and thrust aside the
partition, and the fierce lioness and
sleek tiger came bounding in, their
breath was absolutely suspended, and
their hearts momentarily ceased to
beat.


"Down !"


The tiger obeyed, and the foot of the
lion tanner was upon his neck.


"Upp


And the leopards were purJing like
great cats upon his shoulders, while the
lioness lay crouched with her tawny paws
thrust through the bars and growing
severely.


" For mercy's sake let her alone, >
whispered bis attendant, "and mind not
kick over that pail. If the blood should
be spilled, it would be all over with YOU
both. All the men in the world couldn't
save you"


"Stand ready, but keep still. The
brute shall mind"


His child was sitting on the back O.
the lion, and smiling in that den of hor
rors. Her confidence in her father wal
sublime-was as perfect as her love
She never dreamt Of fear when he wa.
near to protect, and while the lockers
on shuddered, she innocently deemed i
pleasant pastime.


"Down p


The leopards leaped to either corner
and crouched down.


"Comei"


The lioness grumblingly arose, crawl
ed suddenly to his feet, rose and laid he
great claws upon his shoulder, making
him swerve with her weight, and raising
her terrible head upon level with hi
own. Slowly and slowly they turne.