Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-05-26
STAR.

AN ELEPHANTS FRATERNAL FEELING
AND AFFEcuoN.-While a wagon drawn
by several elephants was passing our Of
fce yesterday, the following story was
told, which we vouch for as true:
Last season q menagerie yisitad the
village Of Johnstown, Herkimer county.
When the cayalcade left town it passed
over bridge which the road crossed
leaving two elephants to bring ND the
rear. These were driven to the bridge,
out with the well known sagacity of the
race, refused to cross. The water of the
creek, which flows through q gorge in
the slate formation, presenting at that
point banks of precipitious character and
tnIrty feet in height, was low, and by
taking a course across corn field, o ford
could be reached. But the proprietor Of
the corn fed refused to allow his proper
~ TO De SO used, except on the payment
OF an exOrbitant sum, and this the agent
OF the menagerie refused to submit to.
Accordingly, the elephants were again
driven 10 the bridge, and again they re-
fused to attempt the crossing. They
would try the structure with tneir great
feet, feel cautiously along the plank with
their proboscal fingers, but each time
would recOil from making the dangerous
experiment.
At last, however, goaded by the sharp,
iron instrument of the keeper, and ac-
customed to obedience, they rushed on,
with scream, hSlfof agony. half of an
ger. The result shovel tbs prudent pre-
science Of the animals to have been cor
l,ct;- the bridge broke, and went crash
ing to the bottom of tie gorge, carrying
with it both the monStrous beast. One
of them struck upon its tuSk and Shout
der, breaking the former and badly inju-
ing the latter; the other was, strange
enough, unhurt. Now was shown the
most singular and remarkable conduct on
the part Of the brute which had escaped.
Its comTadc lay there, an extempore bed
being provided for its comfort, while no
Temptation, no force, no stratagem, was
sufficient to induce the other to leave and
proceed with the main portion of the car
ayin, which finally went on, leaving the
WOUNDED beast and It's companion under
the charge of the keeper.
Day after day the suffering creature
lay there, rapidly failing. and unable to
move. st The end Of three weeks, the
creek co:nmenced rising, and there was
danger 1t would overflow and drown
the disabled elephant. The keeper de-
sired, therefore, TO get it Up and make it
walk as far as q barn near by, where it
would be cut Of danger, and would be
better cared for. But it would not stir.
He cOaxcd, wheed,ed and scoldej, but all
to no purpose. At las enraged ke seized
a pitch fork and was about pluDging it
into the poor things flesh, when the COM
panion wrenched the fork from his hand,
broke it in fragm- nts, and flung the
pieces from bin; then. with eyes glaring
and every evidence ofragc in its manner,
1t stood over its defenceless and wound
ed friend - il daring the keeper to ap.
prOacu; which the man was not so green
as o DO again, with cruel purpose.
Thus the injured animal lay there un-
til it died. When satisfied that it C uld
no longer be Of service, the other quietly
followed tie keeper away from the spot,
ard showed ID desire 10 return. If this
was not reason mingled with al affection
some men might pattern after, weshould
like 10 know what to call it.-Bufa!o
e.. ~ paper.