The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-10-06


 vigorously resented; this exhibition of superciliousness from an animal be- low me in the scale of creation was more than proposed to put up with.
 One morning, as l sauntered out to the banyan tree, wondering in my mind as to what was the outcome of this absurd situation, U Uly sses motioned to me, and pointed to the ackboard, which I saw was covered with finely written characters
 "No, Ulysses" said, "I am tired this morning, and it is very hot. l do not want to get into discussion with you."
 Ulysses waved his trunk emphat- ically, and pointed again to the black board. Then he gave fierce trumpet, and glared at me in a way that gave me start of terror.
 l saw that some sort of crisis was ahead, and determined to defer it, if possible, until I could decide what was the best course to pursue. therefore approached the board, and read the following message, addressed to myself:
 "MAs1ER: You are deceived if you think l am ignorant of the change which has gradually been coming to pass in our relationship to one an- other. You have been my superior thus far in life, not by reason of greater physical power, for can strike you dead with one blow, whereas you, without the aid of tools, could not give me even external pain. Your sole claim to command over me lay in your intellectual superiority. This superiority I am now compelled to question. Yesterday you admitted that you had never read any of Henry Mackenzie's novels; you showed ig- norance concerning Bishop Berkley's Alciphron; and when l asked why Henry Vaughn, the poet, was called the 'Silunist,' you had no answer to give me. In the conversations of the last few days you have made countless blunders in matters of history, science and literature. Your ideas in meta physics are those of dotard, and your judgment in belles- lettres is execrable. do not see on what ground you arro gate to yourself position above me. If you arc not entitled to tine place which have given you in my consid- eration, if the idea which I have en- tertained with regard to our respect i've positions is erroneous, then it is clearly matter of justice that we should straightway change places. will be the master hereafter and you the servant. Can you show me any good reason why this revolution should not come to pass?"
 There was no mistaking the tone and purport of this communication. It was at once g declaration of independ- ence and manifesto of sovereignty. Not merely must I exercise no more authority over Ulysses, but 1 must yield gracefully and submissively to his rule. I did not know, either by experience or hearsay, what kind of master an elephant would make, but from the intensely logical disposition which Ulysses had always showh, I had suspicson that he would prove at least severe and intolerant.
 The dilemma was hard one. took up the chalk, intending to write my answer rather than speak it, that I might have time for reflection. AsI did so, an idea suddenly occurred to me-a plan by which I could beat Ulysses at his own game. immedi- ately became so confident of it's suc- cess that did not hesitate to stake my personal liberty on the chance of his 
 "Ulysses," said, "I can not deny that in many directions you have shown mental grasp which I never expected to see developed elsewhere than among the hest of my own spe- cies. But all this is not enough. There is still one test, the last and se- verest to which culture and intelli- gence can be compelled to submit. If you can meet this satisfactorily, shall no longer question your superi- ority over myself"
 "That is all ask," wrote Ulysses; 'a fair trial"
 stepped into the house and re- turned with 8 book which I had re- gently brought from Madras, and which Ulysses had not seen. laid it open upon the rock before him. He brought up his monocle and glanced 1t the title and author.
 "Ahap he wrote; "I have heard of this man, and have long wished to sec some of his work"
 "You know what position he oceu- pies in letters?" I asked.
 al do," wrote Ulysses; 'T have read what his admirers say of him."
 Every well," I answered. "You know, then, what is demanded ot you that you should understand and en- oy this work. If you can not meet both these requirements, then you nave failed"
 Ulysses shrugged his trunk with