Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-06-02
VOL. }. , mo. 254
DAILY NIRGINIAN.
An Elcphant's Frateinal Feeling and Affeo.
ton


From the Buffalo Democracy
Nhc II wagon drawn by several elephants was
passing our Office yesterday, the following story
WIS told, which we vouch for as true:
Lust season, menagerle visited the village of
Johnstown, lierkimer county. Whom The caval-
cade lett town II passed over bridge which tho
road crossed, leaving two elephants to bring up
the reer These were driven to the bridge, but,
with the known sngacity of the race they refused
to cross.
lhe water of the c.eck, which flows through
gorge IN tho slate formation, presenting at that
point banks of procipitous character and thirty
feet IN height was low and by taking a course
across corn iielda ford could be reached. But
the proprietor of'ho corn field refused TO allow
ms property 10 be so used. except ON the payment
OF an eNorhiant sum, and this agent of the mo-
nngerio refused to submit to- Accordingly. tho
elephants were again driven to the bridge. md
ngnln they refused TO attempt the crossing. They
would try the structure with their great feet, feel
cautiously along the plank with their probosoal
fingers, but eaeh time would rccoil from making
the dngornus experiment.
AT last, however, goaded by the sharp, iron in
strument of the Keeper aud accustomed TO obe-
dence, they rushed ON. with a scream half of mr.
onY hnlf OF anger. The result showed the pru-
dent proscience Of the poor animals to bnyo heen
correct; the bridge broke. and went crashing To
me bottom o' the gorge, carrying with it both
the monstrons heasts Ono Of them struck upon
ITS tnsk and shoulder, breaking tho former and
very badly ninrlng the latter the other was
strangely enough, unhnrt. Now wns shown tho
most singular and remarkable conduct on the nnr,
OF the brute which had escaped. Its comrada Inv
there, mn extempore bed being provided for its
comfort; while no temptation, no strAtagem was
sufficient to induce the other to leave, and pro-
coed with the main portion of the caravan, which
fInally went on, leaving tho wounded beast md
lis companion under the charge of their keeper.
,ay after day the suffering creature lay there
rapidly failing, and unable to move At the end
nt three weeks, the water in the creek commenced
rising, and there was danger il would overflow
aud drown the disabled elephant The keener
desired, therefore to get il mp and make it walk
as Tar as bnrn, near by, whore it would be ont
of danger and could be better cared for. But Il
would not stir. He coaxed wheedled md sooIded
but all no purpose.
At last, cnragod ha seized n pitchfolk and
was about planglng it into the poor things flesh.
when tho companion wrenehod the fork from his
hand, broke II IN fragments and flung tho pieces
from II then, with eyes garing aud every evi
dence OF rage IN its manner, it stood over its do
ieneelesss and wounded friend as if daring the
keeper to approach which tho man was not so
green ns to do again, with cruel purpose
Thus the injured animal lay there until he died
When satisfied that il could no longer bo of SER
vice, the other quietly followed tho keeper awav
from the spot, and showed no desire 10 return If
this was not reasoning mingled with an affection
some men might pattern after, we should like to
know what 10 call it,