West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-08-02
How Hans saw the Eiephant.

There was great excitement among
the boys at Eastwood, for circus was
coming to town that morning, and ey-
cry boy who could possibly raise twen-
ty-hve cents, and get permission, was
going.
They had talked nothing else for n
week, and 1t rad seemed to them that
the day would never come.
But IL had, and at an early hour the
boys trooped of To High street. to see
the wagons and hear the music, and
get glimpses whenever they could of
the animals In cages.
The old elephant could not be hidden
In cage, and the boys all voted him
the greatest wonder of all, with his big
happlng ears and swinging trunk.
One little fellow in Eastwood could
not go-little Hans a German boy. He
had heard such stories from the big
boys that he was nearly wild to see an
elephant.
But Hans's mother thought he was
too small TO go without her, and she
could not leave her work; so, after a
few very salt tears, the little boy
frightened up and concluded to make
the best OF Ii.
He almost forgot his disappointment
after dinner, for his mother gave him
pretzel and let him borrow her big
wooden spoon. So he sailed forth into
the street I'm front of the house aud be-
gan TO dig well
He had just begun to eat his pretZel
when he spled two tumble-bugs coming
up out of hole close by. Breaking
Oh bit of his lunch, he dropped IL
right in their path, and they at once
seized 1t and began to roll it home.
Hans laid down The spoon and cake
10 watch them. He sat down fiat OH
the ground, seeing how one bug would
roll the load almost oyer with his front
feet, and then, turning round, would
push with his hind ones till he was
tired, when the other would take his
turn.
Hans thought II was very funny and
watched them till, just as they were
ready for one last push, which would
send their load down into the hole, and
he was holding his breath to see 1t
plunge, black cloud seemed TO pass
over The sun, and looking up, the terri
led child saw not u cloud, but great
creature with mapping ears, standing
right over him
with one scream and two bounds, he
landed on the top of high board fence.
1t is the greatest wonder he did not
drop TO the ground In fright, for there
stood Mr.. Elephant looking gravely at
him.
Hans did not have time To ask him
whether he came to watch tumble-bugs
or let little boy have a look at him
who could not 20 to the circus, for just
then two men came along with red caps
on their heads and long spears In their
hands.
MIR, Elephant was acquainted with
them, so, without waiting to say good
bye to the little boy pcrched on the
fence, he picked up the rest of the
pretzel with the end of his trunk Il pre-
sumo he found it a tough morse), and
was off in hurry.
1t was of no use. In a few minutes
he was captured, and with one man on
his back and the other leading him, and
a tloop OF boys following him ut
safe distance, he was marched back to
the circus tent again 10 finish the per-
Torrance.
Hans's mother, quietly sewing in
her kitchen, was not a little astonished
when her son burst in with, go moder
the efdnt came to see me, he did and he
shtept on one of mine bugs, and pick up
mine pretEel NIT his tail. Can | have
anuderS
And this Is the true story of How
Hans saw the Elephant