Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-07-17
Story of an Elephant.
Chambers Journal. /

Chambers Journal.
Elephants have decided liking for a
military life. Various regiments while
| serving in the East nave had such an an
| imal, which often rendered good service
to the corps to which he might be at
tached.
The Kings Rangers at one time were
in possession of fine male of enormous
size, which for many years was never
once absent from parade. As soon as the
! bugles sounded he would walk majestic
ally to the place of muster, and take up
his position, always at the right of the
column.
If the mahout, or driver, presented
himself the elephant would lift him up
onto his shoulders with his trunk, and
evidently without the slightest effort to
himself; but if left to his own unaided
intelligence, he obeyed the ordinary
words of command without ever making
a mistake as, Right face ~
"March ~ "Mark time. :" Halt. :" and
so on.
He insisted at all times on giving help
to the men whenever they engaged in
loading or unloading baggage, and was
pleased to be allowed to make himself
useful.
When the wagons were impeded on
march, as not unfrequently occurred.
Jock was duly sensible of his own impor-
lance, for, by his enormous strength, he
would push a heavy load up steep de-
clivity, which six or eight oxen failed to
do unassisted.
1t happened that the rangers were sud
denly ordered to embark for China, and
there were no accommodations for taking
Jock on shipboard. To the great disap-
pointment of the men, the authorities
decided that he should be left in India.
He was, however, permitted to accom-
pany the regiment as far as the quay, to
watch the troops as they went on toard,
many of whom had a parting word of
kindness for their old comrade.
"GOod-by, old MANI 'Poor old jock"
were repeated, with many variations, by
both officers and men.
Meanwhile the animal watched the
proceedings with great apparent interest,
as if wondering when his own turn would
come to 90 on board but when the YES
sci steamed off and left him ashore he
became frantic with rage and disappoint-
ment.
1t had been proposed that he should
be transferred to another corps, but he
persstently refused to have anything to
do with it. Neither the coaXing nor
the threats of his mahout were of any
avail.
Though he had previously manifested
the gentlest disposition, he now threat
eningly repealed all kindly advances on
the part of his new comrades, and at
length he became SO savage that it was
deemed expedient to place him in con
finement. Even the mahout was several
times placed in a very awkward predica
ment, and OH one occasion barely escaped
with his life
No means could be found to assuagt
the grief or to calm the anger of this
faithful creature, who so constantly
mourned the loss of his friends; but il
a little less than two years the rangers
came back to their old quarters, and were
informed of the melancholy change il
their old comrade.
No 60 near no touch, sahib ; ht
strike very hard" said the mahout, "h'
kiln
Why, Jock, my boy" said young
officer, formerly one of his special friends
"Why, what's the matter?"
!, The animal pricked up his ears, anC
instantly recognized the voice, which
was proved by his manifesting unmis
taxable signs and sounds of JOY.
1t was quite affecting to see, when he
was once more permitted to repair to tn,
, parade ground, with what kindly recog
milton he embraced many Of his com
panions, placing his trunk tenderly OF
their necks and shoulders.
, | need hardly say he was at once rein
, stated in his old regmental post. the du
ties of which he recommended to dis
t charge as if no interruption had takei
place.
Italian Wash WOmen.
Wandering down one of the marrow
streets of Sienna, We came upon a low
roof supported by heavy columns.
looked like a mill-house, and as a stream
: small but lively, dashed in at one end o
the building and out at the other, W,
OOuClulCu llltl IL was IL VI SOlll'
kind or other. When we came to it W,
,, were saluted by twenty buxOm womel
who stood in row along the side of &;
! stone cistern in the center of the sheC
through which the stream was flowing
Every woman had pile of linen at he
feet and garment in her hand which
she was washing in the ice-cold water
{ This was one of the public wash-houses
the matrons and maidens gather in then
to do their weeks work and learn tn,
news of the hour. Just fancy the gossip
that flows from those busy tongues il
the course of week. They all PAUSED
for moment to exchange word with
us, and then the business of the day wa
resumed without embarrassment, and a.
pretty faces, big black eyes, and brawnN
arms are not uncommon in Italy, w
withdrew. Twenty women switched
twenty damp garments in the air anC
sent a shower of drops over us; but il
was their way of bidding us farewell
and as we shook the suds from our hat.
they laughed Justify, for the episodes il
the lives of the watery nymphs of Stems
are few. We are continually coming
upon these open-air laundries in every
town we visit, and, Judging from the
good spirits that seem to prevail in every
case, it must be rather jolly than other
wise to be an Italian washer-woman.-