The National tribune., 1882-12-14
OUR YOUNG FOLKS.
The Elephant Keepers StOry--A
Thrilling Experience
fBy Ed,CdTd I. SeUenSon.1 I

sir that rolling stones don't gather much
moss"
The man who found this proverb a handy
excuse was a swarthy, thickset little fellow.
standing in the stone-pavcd courtyard of
Squire Buckles stables, talking with the Squire
himself He gave his flaming red neckerchief
an apologize twitch, and was silent.
The good-humored old Squire eyed him
thoughtfulIy. "Well, well, Junket," he re-
spondcd, Il dare say you're not to blame for
il-luclz; and if you're tired of rowing why,
you can have your old place again. I'm glad to
| see you back. But suppose you finish your
story where you left of. You were saying that
while you were at Lord Haw's that place in the
show was offered you, eh?' The Squire BEGAN
patrolling the stablc-yard again. JunIzet walk
ing at his side, took up the thread of his adven-
lures:
"No, sir, it wasn't while ! was at Lord Haws s
at all but after his DEATH that one of the gen
tlemen at Days got me a post as keeper in that
menagarie. | had been some weeks out of
work or I don't know that I should have
thought Of occupation of just that sort But
found the other keepers very decent set of
men, sir. Pretty soon, too, I took particular
notion to one of them Whistler was his name
He had all the charge. of the big performing
elephant in the show. Juggernaut they called
him
" He was Just a monster, Squire, and no mis-
take. He was very near ten feet high-not so
very tall you'll say; but in breadth and devcl-
opment l never heard of his equal Wei, as I
was saying, | saw good deal of Whistler. In
oil
a fancy the elephant had took to me- I could
take the creature TO water, exercise him, put
him through all his acts when only the show
folks happened to he around and mostly do
what pleased with him.
"You see, Squire, IN elephant may he willing
enough to let outsiders to make a pet of him.
but as for obcying one Of them, that's quite
another thing. He generally minds only his
keeper and that only 50 long as he stays in the
humor 10 do il.
cone afternoon Whistler went off a-ploasur-
ing somewhere up the Thames He missed his
boat or the trains, or something or other, COM
ing back. They had to go on with the show
without waiting for him Mr. Curtis says
to the ring-manager, YOU need have nothought
about the elephant. I'll take him through the
performance Mr.. Cults looked a little sur
prised but he said, All right; go ahead And
so | did, very nicely too. Juggemaut went
through all his acts as quiet as if he'd never
had any other trainer except me. All the pro-
prietors were quite delighted. Just while /
was taking him back under the sheds, in comes
Whistler.
"'You're a good fellow, JunI1et,' says he.
oil 10 Il I,,,
the padloclls. I'll put him up. You must be
sick of elephant for once
4 UaS pretty well tired out not to mention
>&he responsibility of really taking such a crea-
ture through public performance.
AZ spoke to Juggernaut accordingly, and he
sets me on my feet with his trunk as gentle as
if was wax. Whistler stepped up l handed
him the hook and the keys and said good
night Just as 1 walked out Of the shed doors
| heard Whistler cry out. ran back, all of
tremble, too late 10 be of any good. Directly
my back was fairly turned, the elephant had
charged on Whistler, caught him round the
body, and thrown him, like bag of sand,
smash against the further wall Of the shed. 1t
would have made you sick, Squire.
"'Back, Juggernaut l managed to call,
standing almost under him. lie stood still as
a rock no motion, no sound, the moment he
heard me. Curious, wasn't it, sir? | called
for help. We got Whistler out knocked sense
less rs a dead man, covered with blood, and
with. two ribs broken. 1t was lust a miracle
he wasn't killed. That cunning beast had
quietly waited for me TO get out OF earshot be-
fore he made his attack, which, you observe,
was also the reason he was so still about it.
Whistler lay in the hospital ten days before
the surgeons would let him see anybody.
I took his place in the meantime.
hadn't particle of trouble with Juggernaut
Whether he had had fit of rage or what not
with poor Whistler, he was as tractabIe as
lamb with me-cntirely his old self, in short.
Queer animals, amt they? Queer and bad to
the backbone, Squire.
After the ten days were over, was allowed
to see Whistler up at the hospital.
"'Junket,' says he, I've given up my place
in the show for good. The Days ii offer it to
you. Take it, and keep it just as long as you
dare. Rccollect that Juggeruauts like any
other elephant; he'll get over his fancy for
you some day, and Watch his chance 10 Kill you,
and only yOU
up comes Mr.. Day the younger and offers me
the care of the elephant. Nothing to do but
take charge, look after practicings and train
ing5, and exhibit Juggcrnaut in the ring. 1
scarcely thought twice about ii before | said
Yes 10 Mr.. Day.
"Juggernaut performed his best that night;
50 he did throughout the week, meek as a New
foundland dog. | went to work and taught
him two new acts on the strength of such
setting QUITO grind God save the Queen on
a barrel-organ, and point out the biggest fool
in the company, which he did with his trunk
very clcverly, one evening excepted, when he
marches up to a Parliamentary gent whom the
papers happened to be making pictures on. The
gentleman didn't relish it, though everybody
else laughed and clapped like mad. Since then
often I've thought to myself that Juggernaut
ought to have pointed out me, or whoever
might happen to be an elephant-keeper at any
time.
awe ended our London season at last, after
which we crossed the Channel, and went into
France.
eve were busy there all July, exhibiting in
Havre, Paris, Dion, Lyons, and the dear knows
how many other towns besides. Next we
stopped at Geneva, and then from Switzerland
the proprietors decided to go down into Italy
Into Italy we went Juggernaut and all. He
behaved himself as nicely as ever, no stubborn