The Russellville Democrat., 1882-02-16
THE BABY ELEPHANT.
ueginning Life with 145 Pounds-How the Curious Creature Looks and Acts-Comi- ,,I Domestic Scenes at Bridgeport.


 The axis upon which Bridgeport re ,oivrs at present is a baby. But those ,,bo picture a tiny mottled morsal of humanity with a rosebud face and Iimp]ed hands fall into a grievous error TTe infant which is the bright particular star of Bridgeport to-day is strange or5 curious quRdruped. Instead of a g,ft and rosy skin, it is incased within a hide of 8 greyish hue and bristling with 'ong, dark blue hairs. When it smiles npou it's visitors in infantile exuberance, .nc can easily put both fists into its ex- rausye mouth. Long clothes are out of the question, for it's sturdy legs are as lqrre as those of it's male nurse. It raresscs it's mother when in an affection ate mood with the tip of proboscis full .ioht inches long. Scorning the rattle +ion. if plavfully inclined. by deftly but ting those whom chance may place with in ifs reach. For the walls of childhood are substituted an occasional wheeze ap- .r5acling whistle, and although the affection with which this infant is re- rardei apprses it at $300,00O, the baby s never dandled upon its nurses knee. nor tossed in the air, after the manner of fond parents, for it's weight is 145 pounds
 In short, the infant which was tri- umphanty ushered into this sad world la,tuight is the second baby elephant born in captivity. and its foster-f father is the great moral snowman" P. T. Barnum.
 Al the winter quarters of the 'show" to-day every one was jubilant. Only
 .4 Il Il. admitted. This afternoon a Tribune cor respondent was escorted through a building containing giraifes, zebras and cages of monkeys and rare birds, to the elephant barn. When the door was opened into this huge structure singu- lar spectacle was presented. Chained by one foot to post in the centre of ring which occupied the middle of the floor stood a large elephant; and tumbling about among it's legs was a miniature cancature, nondescript burlesque of ele- phantine lie. More than anything else this creature resembled an exaggerated rat. with very long legs and an unusually large nose. And this ungainly, mousse colored quadruped, bristling with dark hairs, glaring mischievously from twink ling beady eyes, frisking rat-like tail
 
 stumbling awkwardly about as though weak in the knee joints, was the baby elephant To say that it is thirty inches nigh, three feet long and weighs 145 pounds means that it's size is greater than that of a large Newfoundland dog. But its archine back and comparatively massive legs give it an altogether differ ent shape. In fact, the beast appears as though constantly humping itself" The conduct of the baby and its mother offered a curious and comical sight. Baby was inclined to be adventurous, contrary to the manner of her sex which is feminine. First, however, her trunk seemed to excite in her lively curiosity, and also to be somewhat in her way. So opening her mouth she curled up her trunk and squinted at it from her little eyes. Satisfied finally that it really be- longed to her, she let it drop gracefully, Tapped her ears and started for a walk. Her gait, if adopted by Fifth avenue belles, would undoubtedly make a sen sation. She lurched forward, lifted one ponderous foot, shook it gently in mid air and then deposited it on the sawdust. At the same instant her joints relaxed enough to impart a certain tremulous stagger to her frame. Her hind legs fol- lowed after as if belonging to an inde- pendent being There was an incoher- ence about her appearance when in mo- ton that suggested a latent ability to disperse in different directions. But instead of scattering herself, she houn- dered and ambled along by a series of zigzags. Then the mother became ex- cited for fear of losing her child. Brand ishing her trunk she threw up her head and emitted sound like the creaking of an ungreased axle. Sne pursued the baby as far as the chain allowed, and rocked from side to side, swinging her huge head tO and fro and apxiously fol. lowing the infant with her eyes
 Do you want to be introduced to the baby?" said the keeper, George Arsting- stall, and some of the visitors advanced to pat the ridiculous little monsters back while she inquisitively poked against them This was too much for the moth CTS feelings. Queen strained at her chain until it was taut as hawser, waved her trunk in the air and her huge body swayed clumsily about while she sent out whistles of rage and anxiety. She was evidently becoming wrought mp. MT. Arstingstall tried to push the baby back, but the unfilial brute was inclined to be playful and sought to butt him in return. Again the remarkable quad. rulped ambled to the edge of the ring, and maternal anxiety rose to a high pitch Queen swung her head like a pendulum as she jealously watched and tried to follow her baby. Mir. Arsting stall gave the little wanderer a push, which had the effect of doubling it up, and it turned something like somer- sault, while Queen emitted whistle Of distress. Then she gave a satisfied grunt as her baby returned to her. Although the hopeful child houndered about be- tween her legs in most reckless fashion, she never touched it save with wonder ful gentleness. Occasionally Queen put down her trunk and fondled her little one, which responded as best it could, although apparently not yet clearly un- derstandilg how it's trunk was to be managed. Even while Queen was de- voting herself to some grain and nay, and the baby was attending to it's nurs- ing, she paused to caress it, and if it etrayed away she at once stopped eating and showed distress. But the very good appetite of the baby kept it close to her much of the time.
 Meantime nineteen other elephants stood chained to posts around the sides of the barn stolidly devouring hay. Chief, the father was standing in cor ner looking meek and henpecked. Near by was the first baby born in captivity, the child of Hebe, now nearly two years old and weighing 200.
 These elephants were quite excited