Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-01-27

Bridgeport, COnneCe1Cus, cOrr e6-
ponden. OF the Philadelphia Times,
writes: Barnum took q notion to give
twenty of his elephants swim in salt
water the other day. Seaside Park.
near ne showman's house is a maRnif-
cent area of tastefully improved land
reaching down to the waters edge and
frineed with a gently sloping pebbly
beach. To this beach the elephants
were marched in stately procession.
followed by an immense crowd which
seemed to embrace half the people of
Connecticut. Thousands Of people
were on hand to enjoy the fun. Az soon
as the elephants got siRht of the Sound
they made a break for the water with
signs OF the most stupendous joy. They
showed no desire to keep near the shore
but pushed for deep water, where they
began to play with all the heartiness Of
lot of srhoOlboys let loose in the surf.
Never had elephants displayed to gap
ing crowd their capacity for fun and
frolic in so pronounced manner, They
frisked like puppies, tumbling each
other over in the water, and performed
all sorts Of wild gymnastio feats. Two
elephants would sportively 90 for q
third and duck him under the water.
Then half dozen of them would fill
their trunks with water and squirt it at
each other, much as children playing in
the surf splash water in each Others
faces with their hands. Sometimes an
elephant would be missing for several
minutes and people would get an idea
that he had sunk to rise no more. But
presently the round black nozzle of his
trunk would appear ON the surface, re-
minding the spectators that q beast
with such long nose can remain under
water as long as he pleases If he only
keeps the end of his breathing appars-
tus within reach OF the fresh air.
AN UGLY MONSTER.
Emperor" the large and unruly
elephant, who made such trouble last
summer when he escaped at Troy and
went on a rampage through the streets
of that city at night, showed a sportively
riotOus disposition. He acted az if he
was drunk and wanted to get up fight
among the other elephants. He is next
to Jumbo in sizo and is ten times a.
frisky. He took several of the little
elephants one hy one and tossed them
over and around in tho water as il they
were cats. Two or three of the little
ones thought it was too much of a good
thing and seemed to want to unite their
efforts to play trick ON the monster
and hold him under the water. This
they tried for q little while, but soon got
enough of it. They knew how ugly he
could be when he felt like it. and 60,
after few weak trials, they concluded
to let him alone. After while Emper-
or and another elephant nearly as big
as himself took a notion to start off to-
ward the Long Island shore. Side by
side, as if harnessed together, they swan
majestically away. as if to return no
more. When they had gone several
hundred yards one of the keepers put
after them in row. boat and soon
caught up with them. He had a pole
with hook at its end, such az il used
among elephants for an instrument of
correction. After he had given Emper-
or one punch with this the beast turned
and gave the boat a push with his Shout
der, indicative of what he might further
do II annoyed. The boat began to fill
and the frightened keeper headed for
shore. As no turned the other elephant
gave the boat whaok with his trunk
just al little reminder. For few mo-
ments there was deep excitement among
the crowd, for nobody knew but that
tho creatures might take it into their
heads to swim the whole length of Long
Island Sound and thence out to sea.
Somebody suggested sending steam
tug after them, and others idiotiOally
proposed harpoons and laaso ropes.
The venerable Barnum sat ON the por-
tico of the bathing pavilion near by and
laughed like big boy, heartily enjoy
ing the fun and knowing thas the voice
of Arstingstall, the chief trainer. would
in time prevent the animals from being
lost at sea. In few minutes ArstinQ-
tails word of command was heard2from
the beach. Instantly the swimmers
turned and headed for the shore, greet
cd BY immense cheering from the crowd.
SWIM OF TWO HOURS.
The whole swim of the elephantine
party lasted about two hours, to the
great delight of the beasts themselves,
and Of the BridReporters, who were as
sembled to see them. Interest in the
performance did not for moment flag,
though the day was cold and drizzly.
The elephants would have stayed in the
water all the afternoon had they not
been commanded to como out. When
called to come to the shore they obeyed
very reluctantly, performing all sorts of
capers. One muscular elephant wound
his trunk around one Of the posts SUD-
porting the platform which extends out
water Of the sound. he Vas about Isoa 't TO
pull this post mp, the effect of which
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