The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-06-14

An Elephants sraternai Feeling * Affection.
While a wagon, drawn by several ele-
phants was passing office yesterday the
following story was told, which we vouch for
as true:
Last season menagerie visited the village
Of JohnStown. Herkimer county. When the
cavalcade left town it passed over bridge
which the road crossed, leaving two elephants
10 bring up the rear. These were driven to
the bridge; but with the known sagaciEy Of the
race, they refused to cross. The water of the
creek which flows through the gorge III the
slate formation. presenting at tha point banks
of precipitous character and thirty feet in
height, was low and by taking a course across
a corn field, a ford could be reached. But
the proprietor of the corn-feld refused TO al
low his property to be 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
to the bridge, and again they refused TO az,
tempt the crossing They would try the struc-
ture with their great feet, feel cautiously along
the plank with their proboscal fingers but
each time would recoil from making the dan
gerous experiment.
At last. however, goaded by the sharp iron
instrument OF the keeper, and accustomed TO
obedience they rushed on with scream, half
of agony, half of anger. The result showed
the prudent prescience of the poor animals to
have been correct-the bridge broke, and
went crashing to the bottom Of the gorge, car
rying with it both the monstrous beasts. One
Of them struck upon his tusk and shoulder,
breaking the former and very badly injuring
the latter: the other was, strangely enough
unhurt Now was shown the most singular
and remarkable conduct on the part OF the
brute which had escaped It's comrade lay
there, an extempoie bed being provided
for its comfort, while no temptation, no force,
no stratagem was sufficient 10 induce the 9th
er to leave and proceed with the main portion
Of the caravan, which finally went on, leaving
the wounded beast and It's companion under
the charge Of lis keeper.
Day after day the suffering creature lay
there. rapidly falling and unable to move. At
the end of three weeks the water in the creek
commenced rising. ana there was danger ii
would overflow and drown the disabled Gle
phant. The keeper desired, therefore, TO get
it up and make 1t walk as far barn near
By, where it would be out Of danger. and
could be better cared for But il would not
stir. He coaxed, wheedled and scolded, but
all to no purpose. At last, enraged. be seized
pitchtorA, and was about plunging 1t Ia the
poor things flesh when the companion
wrenched the fork from his hand, broke it in
fragments. and flung the pieces from il: then,
with eyes glaring. and every evidence Of rage
in its manner ii stood over It's defence!ess and
wounded friend as If daring tie keeper to ap-
proacl, which the man was not SO green as IL
do again, with cruel purpose.
Thus the injured animal lay thele until Il
died When satisfied that it could no longer
be 0. service. tie other quietly followed the
keeper away from the spot. and showed nc
desire to return. If this was not reasoning
mingled with an affection some men NIGH
pattern after. We should ike TO know what tc
call il.