Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-08-02
An Elephants Fraternal Feeling and
Affection.

While wagon drawn by several ele-
plants was passing our office yester-
day, the following story was told,
which we vouch for as true:
"Last season a mesagarie visited
the village of Johnstown, H-rkimer
county. When the eava,cads left
town it passed over a bridge which the
road crossed, leaving two elephants to
bring up the rear. These were driv-
en- to the bridge, but with the known
sag lcity Of tn race, they refused to
cross. The water of the creek, which
1owsthrough gorge in the slate for
nation, presenting at that poiSt banks
of PERCEPTIONS character, and thirty
feet in height, was low, and by taking a
course across cornfeld, the ford could
be reached. But the proprietor of
the cornGeld refused to allow his
property to be so used, except on the
payment of an exorbitant sum; this
the agent refused to submit to. Ac-
cordingly 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 proboscal fingers,
but each time would recon from ma
king the dangerous experiment.
At last, however, goaded by the
sharp iron instrument Of the keeper,
and accustomed to obadi ence, they
rush d on, with a scream, half Of ago
ny, 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 gorge, carrying with it both of the
moastrous beasts. One Of them
struck upon its 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 remarka-
BILE conduct on the part Of the brute
which had escaped. It's comrade lay
there, and 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 por-
ton of the caravan, which finally
went on, leaving the wounded ele-
plant, and its companion, under
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 creek began to rise,
and there was danger that it would
overflow aud drown the disabled
elephant. The keeper, therefore, de-
sired to get it up and make it walk
as far as barn near by, where it
would be out Of danger, and could be
cared for. But it would not stir.
He coaxed, Wheedied and scolded; but
all to nopurpose. At last, enraged, he
seized aritch-fork and was aboutplun-
ging it into the poor things flesh,
when the companion wrenched the
fork from his hand, broke it into frag-
ments and flung the pieces from it;
then with eyes glaring, and with every
evidence Of rage in its manner, it
stood over its defenceiess and wound
ed friend, as if daring the keeper to
approach; which the man was not so
green as to doagain with cruelpurpose.
Thus the injured animal lay there
until it died. When satisfied that
he could no longer be Of service, the
other quietly followed the keeper
away from the spot and showed no
desire to return. If this was not
reason mingled with an affection some
men might pattern after, we should
like to know what to call it.