Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1892 — Facing a Lion. [ARTICLE]

Facing a Lion.

In one of the side shows connected with the-circus was a cage with a single lion in it. On the cage was a placard reading: “This beast has killed ten men. One thousand dollars to any one who dares enter nis cage. ” A big sign to the same effect was hung up outdoors, and those who didn’t go. in to see the fat boy ahd~£he"merm aide's ureTy"'wfiht'eff'“Tir gaze on the lion. There was a good crowd in, and the lecturer was about to begin on the mermaid, when a little old man, who was bowlegged and humpbacked, crowded to the front and said:

‘‘Look here, I want to try for that SI,OOO. Gimme a show at the lion.” “My friend, do you want to be torn into dog meat?” asked the lecturer in reply. “You, couldn’t live thirty seconds after entering the cage.” “Is he a Numidian lion?” “He is, and one of the most savage beasts ever captured. ” “Killed ten men, eh?” “He has.” “Wall, I’d like to tackle hhn. If he kills me that’ll be ’leven. I want that thousand dollars mighty bad, and I’m willing to run considerable risk. Gimme a fair show, will ye?” “You keep right- away from his cage. No man in liquor should get within two feet of a Numidian lion.” •“I haven’t drunk a drop of licker in ten years!” indignantly exclaimed the old man. “D§rn you and your old Numidian lion to boot! You aint willin’to give a man a show!” He backed off, and the lecturer delivered the usual oration on the mernilaid. He was about to begin on the fat boy, when the Numidian lion uttered a series of roars, and everybody’s attention was attracted to the cage. The little old man had slipped around and opened the door and 'entered. Not only that, but he had that lion by the tail and was drawing him backward and around the cage. Men shouted and women shrieked, and the lecturer rushed forward and shrieked: “Man! man! but yon must be mad!” "“Never felt better natured in my life,” replied the old man as he stopped to rest. “Come out, or you will be torn to pieces!" “I rayther guess not! There’s only one Numidian critter in here, and he doesn’t seem to be on the tear very mucin He up here, you old mossbackj and take another promenade!” He was drawing'lie beast around the cage again when the lecturer entered it and said- something in a lowvoice. “Make it ten and I’ll do it!” replied the old man in loud tones. “You said you’d give a thousand, but being it’s hard times for money I’ll let you off easy. Make ’er ten and pay me before 1 let goof his tail.” It .was handed to him then and there, and he descended, wiped his

hands on the grass, and feelingly observed to the circle of admirers: “Burn my hide, but when a man brings any sort of thing into this town, and sends out a defi I’m right on deck! That.s the fust critter from Numidia I ever tackled, but I'll be lookin’ far more from this on. Everybody come out and have some red lemonade with me!”