The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-05-12
The Elephant and the iceci,.

One evening, soon after my arrival in
Eastern Assam, and while the five ele-
plants were, as usual, being fed opposite
the bungalow, observed young and
lately caught one step up to bamboo
stake fence and quietly pull one of the
stakes up Placing it under foot it broke
to its mouth, threw it away. 1t repeated
this twice or thrice, and then drew an
other stake and began again. Seeing that
the bamboo was old and dry, asked the
reason of this, and was told to wait and
see what it would do. At last it seemed
to get piece that suited, and holding it
in the trunk firmly, and stepping the left
fore leg well forward, passed the piece of
bamboo under the arm-pit, so to speak,
and began to scratch with some force.
My surprise reached its climax when L
saw large elephant-leech fall to the
ground, quite six inches long and as
thick as ones finger, and which from its
position could not be easily detached
without this scraper or scratch, which
was deliberately made by the elephant.
subsequently found that it was Q COM
mon occurrence. Leech scrapers are
used 10y every elephant daily. On an
other occasion, when travelling at time
Of year when the large flies are SO tor
menting to on elephant, l noticed that
the one / rode had no fan or whip to
beat them off with. The mahout, at nay
order, slackened pace and allowed her to
go to the side OF the road, where for
some moments she moved along, rum
maging the smaller jungle on the bank.
At last she came TO cluster of young
shoots well branched, and, after feeling
ameng them, selected one, raised her
trunk, and neatly stripped down the
stem, taking off all the lower branches
and leaving fine bunch on top. She
deliberately cleaned it down several
times, and then, laying hold at the low
er end, broke off a beautiful switch
about five feet long, handle included.
With this she kept the flies at bay as
she went along, Tapping them off on
each side every now and then. Say
what we may, these are bona-tide nipple
ments. each intelligently made for def.
mite purpose.
How Gussie Carried Niss Gray Home.
"The sleigh is waiting" called Cous-
in Louise.
1--WE are ready" answered Phila-
dore's mamma. as she and her little boy
came down stairs. Cousin Louise and
Gussie were waiting In the hall and the
little cousins stood side by side a mo-
ment by the heater to warm their feet
and Clothes SO that they should not feel
the cold air when they went out.
The boys were very happy at the
thought of sleigh ride and visit
They had on new warm overcoats, leg
gings, overshoes, mittens, warm caps
and scarfs. They were soon all seated
in the sleigh, well wrapped and covered
with soft, warm furs. The sleigh-bells
jingled merrily, as old Colonel trotted
briskly along over the ice and snow,
and after an hours drive the sleigh was
drawn up before Cousin Helen's door.
"Well, this is Philadore !" said Cous-
in HeIen's husband, as he Lifted the boy
from the sleigh.
"Sure enough so it is ! +" said Cous-
in Helen.
81 am Gussie," said boy number two
when he was lifted out of the furs and
wraps.
"Well, L declare this is Gussie !"
said Cousin Helen; we could not tell
whether you were boys or bundles, she
added as she led the way into the house.
In Cousin Helen's parlor the party
found warm fire, and to the great
delight of the little boys the Christmas
tree was still standing in one corner OF
the room, and Cousin Helen's children
had merry time showing their presents,
taking down the trimmings OF popcorn.
candy and other ornaments, for their
little visitors. The cheerful voices made
as much and as steady music as the
sleigh.bells had done during the ride !;
but the thing that seemed to please the
little cousins most was n gray kitten
which Cousin Helen said came to their
door few nights before. and mewed to