Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-09-11
BELISARIUS.
New York Graphic.

New York Graphic.
I must confess that always had /;
weakness for elephants.
You have no idea how much OF ex
quisite sensitiveness, extreme deicacy-
nay, of genuine poetry is concealed un.
der this rough and wrinkled exterior. Tc
me the elephant is lyric poet spoiled in
the making, but with all the irratability
that oharacterizes the genus. What do
sayF In fact he needs only bis little
blue cloak to be thoroughly equipped
for his rhythmic task! 1t is case Of a
philanthrophist turned pachyderm. I
saw one once at Benares sprinkling fresh
water with his trunk upon the head of
an English soldier, nearly dead of sun
stroke, What human good Samaritan
could have done more? Indeed I have
often wondered why the academy has
not before this awarded the Montyou
prize to an elephant. But man is so un-
Just. He treats this noble being like q
beast-this being at once 80 strong and
gente-in order not to be compelled to
pay q debt OF gratitude.
believe there is much truth concealed
in the Brahmin legend. You remem-
Der that according to that fable, when
Nishnu had created man and discovered
what q wretched mistake he had made
he at once invented. the elephant, in
order that by means of his charming
attributes saddened nature might find in
him q compensation for all the short
comings of the wicked biped
Some years ago visited small town
In the south of France, to assist one of
the friends of my boyhood in an electo-
raj contest, Every day contrived to
pass q portion Of the afternoon at the
local Jardin des Plantes.
Three eucalyptus trees, five palms, two
specimens of the ailante and six Italian
pines-au very dusty-together with a
dozen orange trees, were the only exotic
representatives Of the vegetable kingdom.
The fauna OF the tropics was suggested
by four phthisicky monkeys, several n.y.
snas, porcupine, two very equity brown
bears, q rather melancholy young drome-
dairy, fabby old lion, and-the gem of
the collection-an elephant from the
coast of Corymandel.
He was called Belisarius, from his
being blind Of one eye.
I at once made friends with this noble
animal. A strong sympathy drew me
towards him, while he, in turn, was not
long in getting acquainted with me, al
though manifesting, but with great tact,
q sense of his own superiority.
As soon as he saw me coming the cap
tive would greet me with low trumpet
note of satisfaction, and after having
swung round his long proboscis as sign
OF welcome, he would raise it above the
iron barrier which separated us and re-
ceive from my hand the delicate rye
bread rolls with which ! had taken care
to provide myself. And fixing on me
his only eye, which gave to his intelli-
gent face an air of paternsl geutleness,
and which seemed to sadden his charm
ing smile, he appeared to thank me for
the thoughtfulness that thus ministered
to bis tastes.
His keepers dwelling, pretty cottage
completely covered with honeysuckle,
opened On the inclosure where he was
usually exhibited. I noticed at the
window young woman who was general
ly singing as she rocked the cradle of q
sturdy pink-and-white, chubby faced
infant. The delicate beauty of the
mother and the inviting appearance of
the neat little rustic home served to throw
around the Colossus of the Jungle an
atmosphere OF peace and happiness.
From time to time Beisarius would ap-
proaoh the window, and, with his trunk
thrown in the Lir would seem to send q
kiss to the baby asleep in its wicker nest
It occurred to me that the family must
be very fond of this great, kind brute,
whose manifestations of dumb affection
were evidently 80 sincere.
A voice disturbed my reflections. It
was the keeper who, while performing
his usual duties in his boarders' cage,
had spoken to me. He understood how
much interest I took in his pet, and even
seemed to guess my thoughts.
s.Ah, yes, Monsieur. Every one adores
him, but no one more than /, I assure
you. Belisarius made my fortune, and
made me happy"
At the word ''fortune" had involun-
tarily summoned before my minds eye
q vision OF the mines of Goloonda and
Mogul fetes; but I reflected that the
modest position held By the speaker was
inconsistent with the extravgant concep-
tons of my imagination.
Constituting my silence into desire to
hear more, the man continued:
"a few years ago, Monsieur, I did not
occupy the envisble position in which
you see me to-day. Instead OF being
the keeper of the elephant l was only a
a common gardner, spading the beds,
raking over the walks and watering fow-
ers in this same garden. But [ was in
sove-madly, rapturously in love
<-"Very often was guilty Of serious
nfraction of the rules that regulated my
professional duties. The rarest and most