Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1875-07-22
Story OF an Elephant.

ElcphantS nave Qcclucu uKIuE 1OE
military life. Various regiments whilst
serving in the East have had such an ami
NAL. which often rendered good service
to corps to which he might be attached.
The Kings Rangers at one time were in
possession of fine male of en- ormous size,
which for many years was never absent
from parade AS soon as the bugles sound
ed he would walk majestically to the
place of muster and take up his position
at the right of the column. If the NAH
out or driver presented himself the ele-
pllant would lift him on to his shoulders
by means of his trunk and evidently with
out the slightest effort to himself; but, if
left to his own unaided intelligence, he
obeyed the ordinary words of command
without ever making mistake, such AZ
"Right face" "March." Mark time,"
Halt" He insisted at all times in Civ
ing help to the men whenever they wero
engaged in loading or unloading baggage,
and was evidently pleased to be allowed
to make himself generally useful. When
the wagons were imp eded on the march,
as it not unfrcquently happened, Jock
was duly sensible Of his own Importance.
for by his enormous strength he would
push heavy load up steep decIivity
which six or eight oxen failed to do with
out his assistance.
1t happened that the rangers were sud-
denly ordered to embark for China, and
there was no accommodation for taking
Jock on ship board. To the great disap-
pointmcnt of The men, the authorities de-
cided that he should he LETT in I;dia. He
was however permitted to accompany the
regiment as far as the quay, to watch the
troops as they went on board, many OF
whom had parting word OF Kindness for
their old comradc. ''Good-bY old man
Poor old Jock"-were repeated VII
MANY variations, both by officers -
men. Meanwhile the animal watc!: -
proceedings with great apparent i...-:--
as if wondering when his OWL turs.
come to go on board. Blu: when <. :
sci steamed off and left him ashore :. :,
came frantic with rage and disapp .--:'
ment. It had been proposed tLst !&a
should be transferred to another corps,o1-:
he most persistently refused to have ::-y-
thing to do with it. Neither the coaxing
nor threats of his mahout were of any
avail. Though he had previously mani
tested the gentlcst disposition, he now
threateningly withstood all kindly ad-
vances on the part Of his would be com.
rades, and at length, so savage did he be-
come that it was deemed expedient to
place him in confinement. Even the
mahout himself was several times placed
in very awkard prcdicament, and on
one occasion barely escaped with his life.
No means could be found to assuage the
grief or to calm the anger Of this faithful
creature, who so constantly mourned tho
loss of his friends.
But in little less than two years the
rangers came back to their old quarter,
and were informed of the melancholy
change which had came over their old
comrade.
"No 20 near him-no touch, sahib;
he strike hard," said the mahout; che
kill" .....~-
why Jock, my boy" said the officer.
formerly one Of his special friends, why
what's the matler!'
The animal pricked up his ears, and in
stantly recognized the voice, which was
proved by his manifesting unmistskable
signs and sounds of joy. 1t was quite af
fecting to see, when once more permitted
freely to repair to the parade ground with
what kindly recognition he embraced
many of his companions, placing his
trunk tendcrly on their neck and should
ers. 1 need hardly say that he was at once
reinstated in his old regiLental post, the
duties of which he recommended to dis.
charge as if no interruption had taken
place Journal.