the pet mountain lion, 1888

thanks british library flicker (PD)

In which I am surprised that the story does not end in utter disaster for somebody.

A Most Uncanny Pet—The Chicago Herald

 Earl B. Wittich of Livingston, Mass., has a full-grown mountain lioness, which is his favorite pet. It is as tame as a cat and playful as a little dog. It sleeps on the bed with its master, making a purring noise like a cat when it lies down to rest. Mr. Wittich obtained the lioness when it was a cub, and has taught it many tricks. This beast has a horrible penchant for small children, yet so wonderful is the control Mr. Wittich has obtained over it that he can make it lie down and lay a baby across its neck, but he never takes his eyes off the animal while making this dangerous test of power, for from the working of its paws and the vicious gleam of its eyes it gives evidence that if the keeper's back was turned the infant's destruction would be speedy and certain. Mr. Wittich has also a favorite dog which he has taught to wrestle with the lioness and perform many tricks. For instance, he will make the mountain beast lie down upon her side, place a piece of raw beefsteak on her head and send the dog to take it, which the animal will perform if the master's eye is upon her; but, in all probability, if his vigilance was relaxed for an instant both beefsteak and dog would disappear in short order.

(Sound of Curator's head shaking with disapproval.)

-- From Current Literature, Volume 1 (Edward Jewett Wheeler and Frank Crane, eds), Curret Literature Publishing Company, 1888. 256.