Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-06-09
OLD SERIES, VOL. Is. No. 81.
tFrcm the Bufho Deuiocrncy)
AN ELRPHaNr's FRaTEaNAb FEELING
-f o. AND AFFECTION, '.|f

| W lille a wagon drawn by several elephant 5
was passing our Office Yesterday, the follow
ing story was told, which we youch FOR as
true.
Last season menagerie visited the village
Of Johnstown, Herkimer County. When the
cava!cade left town ii passed over bridge
which the road crossed, leaving two elephant
to bring up the rear These were driven to
the bridge but. with the known sagacity of
the race, they refused to cross. The water
Of the creek, which flows through a gorge in
the Slate formation, presenting at that point
banks Of PERCEPTIONS character and thirty feet
in height, was low, and by taking course
across a corn field, ford could be reached.
But the proprietor OF the corn field refused
TO allow his propertyto TO be so used, except
on the payment of an exorbitant sum, aud
this the agent Of the menagerie refused to
submit TO- Accordingly the elephants were
again driven to the bridge, and again they
refused to attempt the crossing. They would
try the structure With their great feet, feel
cautiously along the plank with their probos-
cal fingers. but each time would recoil from
making the dangerous experiment.
At last. however, goaded blythe 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 presence of the poor animals to
have been correct the oridge broke, and
went crashing to the bottom OF the gorge,
carrying with it both the monstrous beasts.
One Of them striking upon its tusk and shoul-
der breaking the former and very badly in
juring the latter; the other. was, strangely
enough, unhurt. Now was shown the most
singular aud remarkable conduct on the part
o. The brpte which had escaped. It's comradc
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 caravan, which finally went on,
leaving the wounded beast and its companion
under the charge of their keeper. ..
Day after day the suffering creature lay
there rapidly failing and unable to move. At
The end Of three weeks, the water in the
,reekcommcnced rising, and there was dan
ger it would overflow aud drown the disabled |
elephant. The keeper desired therefore, TO
ret it up and make il walk as far as a barn |
near by where it would be out of danger and |
'ould be better cared for. But it world not |
tir. He coaxed, wheedled and scolded, but
III to no purpose. At last, enraged, he
ezed pitchtork and was about plunging it
nto the poor things flesh, when the compan-
on wreuched the fork from his hand, broke
t in fragments and flung the pieces from il,
hen with eyes glaring and every evidence of
age in its manner. it stood over lis defence
ess and wounded friend as if daring the keep
II to approach; which the man was not SO
green as to do again, with cruel purpose.
Thus the injured animal lay there until it
lied. When satisfied that it could no longer
re of service the other quietly followed the
keeper away from the spot, and showed no
lesre to return. If this was not reasoning
mingled with an affection some men might
pattern after, we should like TO know What
N call IL ..-H.