The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-06-05
ABOUT ELEPHANTS.
interesting and Amusing Anecdotes
OF the Huge Beasts.
They are AifectiOnate, Fond of Delicacies
and Enjoy Joke; But Their Anger
Is Something Terrible-SOme
Celebrated Elephants.

Cc1eDfaIeu EleDhHhtS.
The elephant may we'll be considered
The head Of the menagerie. Young and
did are never tired of watching these
wonderful creatures; they are so know.
ing, SO loving, yet SO terrible in their
anger. An elephant can tear off huge
branches Of trees with his trunk. or
stamp the life out of q tiger with his
great feet; yet the same trunk can be
trained to pick up a pin, and the
mighty feet to tread gingerly over the
recumbent forms OF sleeping or iutoxi-
Gated keepers. Strange as it may APP
pear, an elephants skin is very sensi-
i've; mosquitoes annoy him greatly,
and beating is terrible punishment
for him. Courageous as he is, an ele-
plant Is very. nervous. He will fight
any other huge beast, yet a mouse is
said to make him shake with appre-
tension and trumpet with terror.
Elephants are very mischievous and
iuquisitive; they raise latches, open
doors, and enjoy immensely their own
practical jokes, though so ready to
resent indignities to themselves. Sensi-
tive as regards insult, their affection is
warm and lasting, and dogs, horses
and other animals are often the objects
Of their attachments. Elephants are
pleased with gay colors, delight in
sweet perfumes, are dainty in their
tastes, and revel in the water like an
Englishman in his bath. They prac-
tice theft with the ingenuity of the
"artiul Dodger" himself, are as med
desome as monkeys, have the caution
and cunning of diplomatist, and the
memory of Magliabechi.
When born, a baby-elephant stands
about three feet high, and is not con-
adered grown up until thirty years
Old. Accidents excepted. he is likely
olive about one hundred and fifty
years, II not longer Though delicate
nils tastes, an elephant likes quantity
f well as quality, and at his meals
makes nothing of bales of hay and
gallons OF water. His ingenuity in try
as to cater for himself is astonishing,
and often amusing. An American
snowman saw an elephant pull up a
aaHe TO which he was chained, "go to
slced-bfn containing oats, wrench off
me lock, raise the lid, eat all he want,
a' put down the lid again, return
. his place, poke the stake back into
we same hole, and stamp it down with
us loot, and, when his keeper came,
Ioos as innocent as a lamb" A twinkle
"a MS GINNING eyes showed his enjoy
mem OF the situation when the man
Aorlned and ragged on discovering the
obbery.
An Incident of an elephants memory
ssald to have occurred some years
ace when Wombwell's menagerie
~ exhibiting ut Bolton. Four years
wore the same collection was in the
|shn' and on that occasion, on being
ceased from its van, large elephant
Faked across the Town-Hall square to
spuoilc house and protruded its trunk
g'o the lobby. The bar-maid supplied
ae animal with refreshments, and the
'aseper, who had been in search of his
s.aafge' then conducted him back to
~ den. On being released at
ae oreaking-up OF the show on
ale second visit, the same elephant
'toke away at brisk trot in the d.
wuon OF the hostelry, and the I'M
sonted charge upon the premises
realty alarmed the inmates. The
srmer barmaid, now the landlady,
srlved on the scene, and recognizing
~ old friend, once more RECALLED him
ms hearts content The elephant
lon submitted to be led away by his
eeper.
elephants will not submit IN
ouse, they are not difficult to teach
nd at first are fond of going through
heir tricks on their own account
neutrality-suspicious. in Rome were
aught to dance by the association of
aaslc and hot floor. A block and
pulley is now sometimes used in train
ss an elephant to assume various po-
aaons, and the word of command
psen as if it was doing the trick of its
W. accord. Good treatment with
gqaess is necessary in teaching them,
any Righteousness must be checked
se whip. They cry out when SUBJ
and the trouble is then
Tor the time. Even wild ele-
ss as are said to be easily
gu when once subdued. Most of |
ave admired the wonderful agility
l'n eiumsy-looking animals in bal |
a = themselves on inverted tubs,
"a :. iorth, At Astley's, elephants
e,,o. y delight thousands with their
.srs ~ maaces' These huge creatures
Win ,s saae to stand on their hind legs
hths ~ 'oreseat poodlewise dangling
" Another thaF stood On its head