Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-07-12
An Elephants Fraternal Feeling and
Affection.


While wagon drawn by several elephants
was passing our office yesterday, the following
story was told, which we vouch for as true
Last season, menagerie visited the village of
JQhnstown, Herkimer county. When the cav:
alcade left town, it passed over bridge which
the road crossed, leaving two elephants to bring
up the rear. They were driven 10 the bridge,
but, with the known sagacity Of the race, they
refused to cross. The water Of the creek,
which flows through gorge in the slate form
alton, presenting at that point banks of precip-
l'ous character, and thirty feet in height, was
low, and by taking course across cornfield
ford could be reached. But the proprietor of
the cornfeld refused 10 allow his property 10
be so used, except on the payment Of an exor-
bitant sum, and this the agent of the menagerie
refused to submit 10. Accordingly the eIe-
plants were again driven to the bridge, and
again they refused to attempt the crossing
They would try the structure with their great
proboscal fingers, bu, each time would recoil
from making the dangerous 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 poo- animals to
have been correct the bridge broke, and went
crashing 10 the bottom Of The gorge, carrying
with it both the monsirous beasts. One of
them struck upon its tusk and shoulder, break
ing the former aud very badly injuring the lat
ter the other was, strangely enough, Gnhurt
Now was shown the most singular and remark
able conduct on the part Of the brute which
had escaped. It's comrade lay there, an extem-
pore bed being provided for. its comfort, while
no temptation, no sirategem, 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 s
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 creek
commenced rising, and there was danger ii
would overflow and drown The disabled elephant.
The keeper, desired, therefore, 10 get il up and
make it walk as far as a barn near by, where
it would be out of danger, and could be better
cared for. Bot it would not stir. lie coaxed,
wheeded, and scoided, but all to no purpose
At last enraged, he seized pichforI, and was
about plunging j, into the poor things flesh,
when the companion wrenched the fork from
his hand, broke it in fragments, and flung the
pieces from it; then, with eyes glaring, and
every evidence Of rage in its manner, it stood
over its defenceess anG' wounded friend, as il
daring the keeper 10 approach, which the man
was not so green as to do again with cruel pur-
pose.
Thus the injured animal lay there until it
died. When satisfied that it could no longer
be of service, the other quietly followed the
keeper away from the spot, and showed no de-
sire to return. If this was not reasoning, min
gled with an affection some men might pattern
after, we should like 10 know what to call it,
Buffalo Democracy.