Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-07-22
IL. B. PIIILLE0. Editor
Story Of an Elephant.

Elephants have a decided liking for
military life, Various regiments whilst
serving in the East have had such am.
animal, which often rendered good ser
vice to corps TO which he might be at
tached. The Kings Rangers at one,
time were in possession of fine mafe,
of enormous size, which for many years,
was never once absent fnom parade.
As soon as the bugle sounded, Nc
would walk majesticaIly to the place of
muster, and take up his position at the
right of the column. IF the maheut
driver presented himself, the elephant
would lift him on to his shoulders by
means of his trunk, and evidently
without the slightest effort to himself
but, if left alone to his own unaided in
teligence, he obeyed the ordinary
words of command without ever max
ing mistake, such as: Fright face,"
"March," "Mark time" "Halt."
He insisted at all times on giving help
to the men whenever they were en-
gagged in loading or unloading baggage,
and was evidently pleased to be allow
ed to make himself generly useful.
When the wagons were impeded on
the march, as it not unfrequehtly hap
pened, Jock was duly sensible of his
own Importance, for by his enormous
strength he would push heavy load up
al steep declivity, which six or eight
oxen failed to do without his assist
ance.
1t happened that the Rangers were
suddenly ordered to embark for China,
and there was no accommodation for
taking Jock on shipboard. To the
great disappointment of the men, the
authorities dcclded that he should be
left in India. He was. however, per-
mitted to accompany the regiment as
tar as the quay, to watch the troops
as they went on board, many of whom
had parting word of kindness for
their old comrade. ''Good-by, old
man'-"Poor old Joel" were repeat
ed, with many variations both by Off
GERS and men. Meanwhile the animal
watched the proceedings with great ap-
parent interest, as if wondering when
his own turn would come to 90 on
board. But when the vessel steamed
off an d left him ashore, he became fran
tic with rage and Disappointment. 1t
had been proposed that he should be-
transferred to another corps, but he,
most persistently refused to have any
thing to do with it. Neither the coax
ing nor the threats Of his mahout were.
of any avail. Though he had previous
ly manifested the gentlest disposition.
he threatingly Withstood all kindly ad-
Vances on the part ofhis would-be COM
rades,. and at length SO savage did he
become that it was deemed expedient
to place him in confinement Even
the mahout himself was several times
placed in very awkward predicament,
and on one occasion barely escaped
with his life. No means could be
found to assuage to calm the anger Of
this faithful creature, who SO constant
ly mourned the loss of his friends.
But in little less than two years the.
Rangers came back to their old quar-
ters, and were informed Of the melan-
choly change which had come over
their old comrade.
''No so near-no touch, sahib he
strike hard, ''said the mahout; he kill
"Why, old Jock my boy,'' said a
young officer, formerly one of his spe-
oial friends, ''why, what's the matter?''
The animal pricked up his ears, and
instantly recognized the voice. which.
was proved by his manifesting unmis-
taxable signs and sounds of joy. 1t
was quite aefcting to see, when once
more he was permitted freely to repair
to the parade-ground, with what kind
recognition he embraced many of his,
companions, placing his trunk tenderly
on their neck and shoulders. [ need
hardly say he was at once reirstated in,
his old regimental post, the duties of
which he recommended to discharge,
as If no interruption had taken place.