Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1875-08-19
Story of an Elephant.

Gus regiments, while serving in
the East, have had such an ami
mai, which often rendered good
service to the corps to which he
might be attached.
The Kings Rangers at one
time were in possession of a firc
male of enormous size. which rol.
many years was never absent
from parade. As soon as the
bugles sounded he would walk
maJestically to the place of mus
ter and take up his position. al
ways at the right of the doI1mn
The mahOutor driver present.
ed himself the elephant weuId
lift him up on his shoulders with
ms trunk, and evidently without
the slightest effort to himself
but if left to his own unaided in
telllgence, he Obeycd the grdi-
nary words of command, with
out ever making a mistake, such
ais "Right Face!0 "MarcLt''
MARK Timep' ''Haltr' and So
on.
He insisted at all times or
| giving aid to the men whenever
they were engaged in loading
or unloading baggage, and was
pleased to be allowed to make
himself useful.
When the wagons were impe-
ded on the march, which not mn.
frequently occurred, Jock was
duly sensible Of his own impor-
tance, for by his enormous
strength, he would push a heavy
load up n steep declivity, which
six or eight oxen would have
failed to do unassisted.
1t happened that the rangers
were suddenly ordered TO en-
bark to China, and there were
no accommodations for taking
Jock on shipboard. To the
great disappointment Of the
men, the authorities decided he
should be left in India. lie
was, however, permitted to ac-
company the regiment to the
quay to watch the troops rs they
went on board, many of whom
had a parting word Of Kindness
for their old comrade.
Goodbye, old manr' tPoo~
old Jock!" were repeated, with
many variations, by both Off
GERS and men.
Meanwhile the animal watch
ed the proceedings with great
interest, as if wonder
ing when his own turn would
come to go on board; but when
the vessel steamed of and left
him ashore he became frantic
with rage and disappointment.
1t had been proposed that he
Should be transferred to another
corps; but be persistentIy re-
fused to have anything to do.
with it. Neither the coaxinn
nor the threats Of his mahout
were Of any avail.
ThouGhhe had previouslyman-
ifested the gentlest disposition.
he / now threateningly repellcd all
kindly advances on the part Of
his new comrades, and at length
ne became so savage that it was
deemed expedient to place him
IN confinement. Even the. ma
Lout was several times put in an
awkward predicament, and on
one occasion barely escaped with
his life.
No means could be found to
assuage the grief or calm the
anger Of this faithful creature.
who so constantly mourned the
.oss of his friends; but in Il little
less than two years the Rangers
came back to their old quarters.
and were informed Of the mel
'ncholy change in theirold COM
'ade.
"NO go near no touch sa-
nib, he strike very hard" said
he mahOut; she kiIlr2
"Why, Jock, my boy" said a
young officer, formerly one Of
lis special friends whats the
natter?''
The animal pricked up his
,ars, and instantly recognized
lis voice, which was proved by
as mlagnilestipg unmistakabie
'igns Of joy,
1t was quite affecting TO sec,
when be gas once more permit
ed 10 repair to the parade
ground, with what kindly rec
ignition he made Of his com
,anions, placing his trunk ten
lerly on their necksand should
rs.
L need hardly say he was at
'nce relnstated in his regiment
u post, the duties of which ho
ecommenced.t to discharge as il