Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1908 — HAD NO CAUSE TO BE AFRAID. [ARTICLE]

HAD NO CAUSE TO BE AFRAID.

Very Harmless “Tiger" Was Irishman’s Companion In Cage. The manager of a wild animal show was so unfortunate as to lose by death the only lion in his collection. After trying in vain to replace the loss he finally secured an Irishman to appear in his exhibition on all fours in the lion’s cage, wrapped In the dead beast's skin. This plan worked well enough for a while, and the public was fooled. One night, however, It became necessary, In the course of one performance, for the lion to enter the tiger’s cage. Pat pleaded strenuously behind the scenes against being sent into the other maneater’s presence; but his employer was unyielding, assuring him repeatedly that the tiger was harmless. Though well-nigh dead with fear, Pat, after long and vigorous persuasion, at last crawled Into the tiger's cage. No sooner was he In the cage than he lost what little courage he had left, and lay down, calling in a hoarse whisper, "Please don’t bite me; I ain’t no lion; I’m an Irishman.” The tiger appeared thoroughly disgusted, and In a moment he growled back, “Shut up, you fool, so am L” —Harper’s Weekly.