The Greene County Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 185?-1867, 1866-05-23
ORIGIN OF SEEING THE ELEPHANT. y


ORIGIN OF SEEING THE ELEPHANT. y
About thirty years since, at one of
the theatres, pageant was in rehearsal,
In, which it was necessary to have an
elephant No elephant was to be had.
The wild beasts were all travelling,
and the property man, stage director
and managers almost had fits when thew
thought oft Days passed in the hope
less task of trying to secure one, but at
last ingenuity triumphvd, and the ele-
plant was, made to order, of woods,
skins, paints and varnish. Thus far the
matter was very well, but as yet they
had found no means to make said com.
binatlon travel. Here, again, the man,
ayers, the stage director and property
man struck out, and two "broths" were
duly enstalled as legs, Ned Cox, one
of the true, genuine "b'hoys," held the
responsible station of four legs, and for
several nights played that heavy part
to the entire satisfaction of the managers
and the delight of the audience. The
part however was very tedious one, as
the elephant was obliged to be on the
stage for about an hour, and Ned was
rather to fond of tie bottle to remain so
long without "wetting his whistle" 30
he set his Wits to work to find way to
carry wee drop with HIM. The eyes
of the elephant being made of two por-
ter bottles, with the neck in, Ned cons
ceived the brilliant idea of filling them
with good stuff. This he fully carried
out, and, elated with success, he willing
ly undertook to play fore legs again.
Night comes on, the theatre was dens.
ly crowded, the music was played in the
sweetest strains, the curtain rose and
the play began. Ned and the "hind
legs marched upon the stage. The
elephant was greeted with round after
round of applause; the decorations and
trappings were gorgeous, The elephant
and prince on his back were loudly
cheeled. The play procecded-the eles
phant was marched round and round
rno, M. -,nSc. hno io'o ,,o., nm. l,.,,
withdrew Ole of the corks and treated
the hind legs, and then drank the health
OF the audience in bumper of genuine
elephants eye whiskey, a brand till then
unknown. The concluding march was
to be made-the signal was given, the
fore legs went staggering to the front
of the stage. The conductor pulled the
elephants ear to the right-,he fore legs
staggered to the left.
The toot.lights obstructed the way,
and he raised his foot ard stepped into
the orchestra! Down went the fore legs
on the leaders fiddle-over of course,
turned the elephant, sending. the prince
and the hind legs into the middle OF the
pit. The managers stood horror struck
The prince and the hind legs lay cons
founded, the boxes in convulsions, the
actors checking with laug ghter, and poor
Ned, casting one look, strange blend
ing of drunkenness, grief and laughter
at the scene, fled hastily out OF the thea
tire, closely followed by the leader, with
the wreck of his eddie, performing varl4
Gus cut aud thrust motions IN the air. -
The curtain dropped on a scene behind
the scenes.-No more pageant-no
more fore legs--eyery body held their
sides. Music, actors, pit, boxers, and
gallery rushed from the theatre, shrek
ing between every breath-"Have 30,
seen the elephant &" ...