Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-04-26
Importing an Elephant.

The advent of Jumbo calls TO mind an
elephant story of many years ago. In the
year 1888 the ships Cashmere, Captain Elias
Dawson, and the Sachem, Captain Albert
Brown, were loading their cargoes of sugar
at Bankok, Siam. Davison, who died only
recently, was a genial, whole-souled fellow,
great wit, practical joker and wherever
he went always made friends. The owner
of the Cashmere, Mr.. Alfred Richardson,
was distinguished for no one of these quail
ties. He was stern and morose, his prevail
ing characteristic being an inordinate love
of money and disposition to squeeze ii out
Of his employees on all favorable occasions.
Dawson had by his pleasant manner so in
gratiated himself with his consignee at Siam
that he was presented by him with a rather
extraordinary d" cumshaw," one not usually
received with thanks, but a present that was
really valuable if it could be brought safely
home-an elephant. 1t was baby elephant
Just weaned, and as it required by no means
such extensive accommodations as those al
loted to Jumbo, the captain slowed him
away under the main hatch where there was
plenty of room for him, and the ship not be-
ing full of sugar, boxed the hatch around
with a rough sort of ventilator, laid in an
extra supply Of water, rice and such other
elephant sustenance as the passenger re-
quired, congratulated himself on the proba-
bility of a successful adventure, and got
underway for Boston.
In the meantime while these preparations
were going on, the Sachem had completed
her cargo and sailed. Having a start of
week, and being a somewhat faster ship, she
arrived about ten days before the Cashmere,
and reported herr for it must be remembered
that there were no telegraphs or even steam
ships in those days. Five months were often
occupied in bringing the news. So when
Captain Brown arrived he brought the latest
intelligence from Dawson, and among other
things told of the cumshaw."
When the Cashmere passed Boston light
the wind was ahead, and, the tide soon run
ming ebb, she anchored in Nantucket roads.
Tugboats being unknown, the captain left
the ship in charge of the pilot, to be brought
up to town on the next day, and took
shore boat himself. He was prompt busi-
ness man, and knowing that his owner ap-
preciated this quality, he brought his papers
and accounts with him, and presented him
self at the office Immediately on landing.
He had made good voyage; the price of
sugar was high, and so he received cordial
greeting. The papers were at once produced.
Here are my disbursements and my
account current" said Captain Dawson.
you will find them all correct, sir. l over
drew little, and there is balance due you
of 1864 25."
Mr.. Richardson scanned the documents,
carefully added up the columns, and pro-
nounced them satisfactory. Except one
thing, captain. You have not allowed me
any freight on that elephant"
ELEPHANT r. returned the captain. "Who
tolJ xo, bad on alapbopt %
"0h, | know all about it," replied Mr..
Richardson, "and didn't think you would
try to smuggle him in this way"
Dawson did not permit himself to show
any resentment, but calmly argued that the
elephant was presented to him, that he oc-
cupied room otherwise vacant, and that he
provided at his own cost for his food and
water.
"Twon't do, 'twon't do, sir" replied the
calculating shipowner, the ship is mine,
and | shall charge you freight-or," he added
after some reflection, 81 will take the ele-
phant over for my account. lie ought to
bring good price at show, and you had
that object in view hadn't you I"
Captain Dawson acknowledged that he
had.
"Well," replied Mr.. Richardson, "people
speak of me as being close and all that, but
III show you that ! am not. There I'll
take him over and square our account"
"Pm in your power, Mr.. Richardson" re-
piled the captain, mournfnlly; "but it is
hard on me, for did think when got the
elephant that would get g., 1000 for him at
least. Can't you make it any more ?"
Mr.. Richardson was pious man, but he
answered "not one-cent !" and so the bar
gain was completed.
On the next day the Cashmere came up
TO the city. Mr.. Richardson and the cap
tain stood upon the wharf, the latter super
intending the hauling in.
"Mr. Hallet," shouted the owner TO the
chief mate, "you might as well be getting up
tackle to hoist out the elephant"
"Aye, aye, sir" returned the mate "as
soon as she is in ut the wharf"
"Mind, be careful not to hurt him." returned
the owner, thinking of the two or three
thousand dollars in store for him.
Whereupon Captain DAWSON disrespect-
fully punched his elbow into the owners
side and whispered in his ear "Guess he
can't be hurt much. He died day before
yesterday on Cape Cod. He'll look we'll
stuffed and it won't cost you anything to
feed him."
1t was the old captains last voyage, and
he felt independent. He made more than
1884 20 out of that dead elephant, for he
used afterward in his subsequent career of
wharfnger on Granite wharf to spin this
yarn and lie back in his chair, laughing with
a laugh that prolonged his life at the remem-
brance OF the way in which he squared his
account.-New York Evening Posi-.