THE LION. 



133 



A gentleman had indulged himself in that rather dangerous pet, a tame Lion cub. 

 The animal was very fond of its master, and would play with him as guilelessly as if it 

 were a kitten. 



One day the gentleman fell asleep, leaving one of his hands hanging over the side of 

 his couch. His pet Lion came up to the couch when its master was slumbering, and by 

 way of showing its affection, began to lick the exposed hand. In a very short time, the 

 rough, file-like tongue cut through the delicate skin of the hand, and caused some little 

 pain and a slight effusion of blood, which was eagerly licked off by the animal. 



The pa. ; n which was caused by the too affectionate creature awoke its master, who 



THE LION. Leo Barbaras. 



naturally began to withdraw his hand from the caresses of the Lion. But at tne first 

 movement the Lion uttered a short, deep growl, which was repeated in a menacing 

 manner at each attempt to remove the hand from its dangerous and painful position. 

 Seeing that the Lion cub had become suddenly transformed from a domestic pet to a 

 wild beast, which had for the first time lapped blood, and thirsted for more, its owner 

 quietly slipped his other hand under his pillow, where he kept a ready-loaded pistol, 

 and shot the poor Lion through the head. It was an act that went sorely against his 

 will, but was the only course which he could have adopted in such an extremity, when 

 there was no time for reflection, and when the hesitation of a moment might have cost 

 a life. 



