Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-07-09
ABOUT ELEPHANTS.
Interesting and Amusing Anecdotes
of the Huge Beasts.

Of the Huge Beasts.
The, are Arreetiansi-. Fond of D~lIeaciss
and Enjoy Joke; hut Their Anger
10 something Terribie-soms
Celebrated Elephants
The elephant may well be considered
the bead Of the menagerie, Young and
old are never tired OF watching these
wonderful creatures, they are so Enow-
ing. so loving. yet so terrible Ia their
anger A elephant caa tear OF huge
branches Of trees witE his trunk, or
sisinp tbs life out OF tiger with his
great feet; yet the same trunk can be
trained 10 pick up pin. aud the
mighty feet 10 tread gingerly over the
recumbeni forms Of sleeping or intoxi-
Gated keepers Strange ~ IT may APP
pear, an elephants skin L. very sensi-
live; mosquitoes annoy him greatly,
and a beating is u terrible punishment
Tor him Courageous a. he il, AN ele-
phant II very nervous. He Will fight
any oIhcr huge beast. yet mouse Is
said 10 make him shake with appre-
I hension AID trumpet with terror.
Elephants are very miFchie Gus and
lnquisitivo; they raise laicbes, open
doors. aud enjoy Immensely their own
+ practical jokes, though so ready 10
resent indignilies to themselves. sensi-
/ tive ss regards insult. their affection is
warm and lasting. and dogs horses
/ aud other animals are often the objects
( Of their attachments. Elephants are
pleased with gay colors. delight in
wet perfumes, are dainty in their
tastes. aud revel In the water like an
Englishman IN his bath. They prac-
tice thief, with the ingenuity of the
"Artfnl Dodger" himself. are as med
diesome as monkeys. have the caution
and cunning Of diplomatist, and the
memory OF Magliabechi
When born. a baby-elephant stands
about three feet high, aud is not con-
sidered grown mp until thirty years
10 live about one hundred and fifty
years. II not longer Though delicate
Ia In tastes, an elephant likes quantity
as well AS quality and at his meals
makes nothing OF bales OF hay and
cations Of water. His ingenuity In try
Ing 20 eater for himself is astonishing,
md often amusing. An American
shoxman saw an elephant pull up a
stake 10 ~ hich he was chained, Ego TO
"A feod-bin containing oats, wrench off
the lock. raise the lid. eat all he want
ed. pat down the lid again, return
10 his place. poke the stake back into
the same hole. and stamp II down with
his foot. aud when his keeper came,
look az innocent ~ lamb. " twinkle
ia his cunning eyes showed his enjoy
ment Of the situation whom the mar
stormed and ragged on discovering the
robbery
Al incident of an elephants memory
is said ~ haze occurred some year,
since, when Womhwell's menagerie
vas exhibiting at Bolton. Four year,
before the same collection was Ia tbs
town. and on that occasion. on being
released from It's van, "A large elephan
walked across the ToWn-llall square Il
ii pubic house and protruded its trunl
Into the lobby. The ar-mald supple,
he animal with refreshments, and tn
kecpcr. who had been In search OF hii
charge, then conducted him back I,
his don On being released n
the breaking up OF the show ol
the second visit the same elephan
broke away at brisk trot in the di
rection of the ho,telsy. and the un
wonted charge upon the premise
greatly alarmed the inmalea Tn
former barnaid, now the landlady
arrived ou the scene, aud rocognizin
her old friend. once more rcgaled hin
to his hearts content The elephan
then submitted to bo led away by hi
Keeper
Although elephants will not submit I,
abuse they are not diiicul to teach
aud al first ARE foud OF going throug
their tricks on their own account
Performiug-elep ia Rome wer
taught 10 dance by the association {
= mu@ic and hot door block an
pulley IL nov sometimes Used in trait
: ing an elephant TO assume various p,
siions and the word OF comman
given a- II 1t WAS doing the trick OF i
. own accord. Good treatment wilt
: htnneaa h necessary Ia teaching then
{ Ia.
by the whip, They cry out when SUI
!, Duct aud the trouble IL the
over for the time. Even Wild oil
~, plants ARE said 20 be sasi
a taught When once subdued Most
M have admired the wonderful agili
of such eluInsy-looking animals IN ba
anciug Themselves an inverted tub
u and 50 forth. At Astley's, elephan
2. used 81 delight thousands With the
7. performances, These huge creatur
II we're made 10 stand on their hind 10
z with their for"teet poodIowise danglii
n IA the air. Aaother stood m It's hei
rs with It's HAD legs raised porpcndlc
IA lnrly Placed on pedestals, III
y wheeled round rapidly, OF balanc
l. themselves on the side-lcgs only, II
a. gave other evidences OF wonder
=. training Well-tfainod baby clephal
are great fayoritos. One was tnug
re 10 sill at table, fan herself and
vi numerous tricks 10 delight childr
ut and their elders too, The two Gle,
. bahy-elephants Jock aud Jenny ",