davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
Sir Samuel describes such IN incident;

Sir Samuel describes such IN incident;
when he was out on a hunt with the
Rajah of Moochtagacha. There were M
less than forty y-seven elephants in the
train. Lady Baker formed one of the
hunting party, which leads her husband
to say: at was hot work for ladies'
my wife was in the howdah behind me,
I confess that l am not fond of the fair
sex when shooting, as I think they are
out of place, but I had taken Lady
Baker upon this occasion at her special
request" !
After several hours of search for the
royal game they were after the party dis:
covered the feathery tops of a strip of
tamarisk gently waving. AS the day was
sultry and without wind it was evident
something was stirring in the dense grass!
The elephants at once sounded theii
kettle-drum note of alarm. Conscious
that the critical moment was at hand;
the hunters ranged the forty-seven elei
plants in row 200 yards long, a most
Imposing line to present to the enemy.
Slowly the procession advanced in good
order.
They had not marched over sixty
yards before a succession of tremendous
roars rang on the still uir. magnificent
challenge of battle. At the same mo-
ment large tiger sprang from the cop.
pice, but instead of attacking any of the
elephants, he fearlessly charged along
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
ELEPHANTS.
THE WAYS OF THE BIGGEST
OF BEASTS DESCRIBED.
The Elephants Intelligence Over
1ated-Captfvity Shortens His
Life-An Elephants Fury
and Cowardicc.

The period is coming, says S. W. G.
BENJAMIN, in the St. Louis Republic,
when wild animals will cease to exist.
All over the world they are rapidly dis
appearing. In civilized countries the
devastations of the hunters are aided by
premiums offered by the Government for
the determination of wild beasts; while
in uncivilized lands the increasing num-
Der of sportsnen furnished with the
latest inventions iE firearms seem to be
alone sufficient to fill us with apprehen-
sion that the days of such sport are rap
idly diminishing.
1t was, therefore, with great pleasure
that I came across Sir Samuel Bakers
interesting volume, "Wild Beasts and
Their Ways" There have been many
mighty hunters since the days of MINI
rod, but none more expert, more adven-
turons nor more enthusiastic than the
famous author of this book, nor have
any had a wider experience. He has
hunted every species of game on every
continent, and he now gives US the re-
suits of some of his experiences led by
the belief that many of the species he
has hunted are destined to become ex-
tinct within short time. His observa-
tions, therefore, have sort of historical
character in addition to the interest of
his facts and the thrilling nature Of some
of his adventures. No man has ever
written on these subjects who shows a
keener interest in the character of ami
mails. OF whose opinions are of more
value.
The author gives very clear descrip-
ton of the difference between the Asia
tic and the African elephant. The lat
ter is much the larger. Jumbo at the
shoulder stood eleven feet high, but some
African specimens are over twelve feet.
The Indian or Asiatic elephant is rarely
over nine feet, has a convex back, and
is tanned with comparative ease, while
the African has hollow back, larger legs,
and enormous ears, and does not take
kindly to civilized life. Captivity short
ems the life of the elephant, but in its
wild state there are evidences that it
reaches $50 years; one reason is that the
perfection of the ivory is not reached un-
til the age of forty.
The intelligence of the elephant has
been overrated. He would never volun-
tcer his services like dog. Sir Samuel
never saw one of them interfere to save
his master from drowning or attack; he
would never interfere in your defence.
He would instead run away unless guided
by his mahout or driver. But his power
of learning is extraordinary, and he can
be taught to perform wonders. Not
withstanding his enormous speed and
strength, he is naturally coward, and
is much less to be depended on to face
danger without finching than the horse.
1t is impossible to train all elephants
alike, and very few can be rendered
wholly trustworthy. A good, we'll
trained Indian elephant is valued at from
$4,000 to SIS, 900 in India.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

the line, swervlng here and there as he
made demonstrations of attack upon
several elephants in turn. 1t was 8
magnificent sight to see this grand ami.
NAL, in the fullest strength and vigor,
defy the line of advancing monsters,
every one of which quailed before the
energy of his attack and threatening
power Of his awe-inspiring roars. Hav.
ing checked the advance by this noble
display of courage, the tiger bounded in
to the thicket and disappeared from
view. One would think that such an
exhibition, reminding one of the ex.
ploits of the old paladius, would have
aroused in his pursuers a chivalrous ad.
miration that might have allowed him
to escape unscathed. But I regret to
say he did not thus pass the gauntlet.
Several shots were fired at him, and
few moments later this Esro of the will.
derness was found lying in the bush
deadl
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
Much depends upon the mahout, wht

Much depends upon the mahout, who,
with a long iron spike, guides this
gigantic animal. 1t is impossible for an
ordinary bystander to comprehend the
secret signs which are mutually under
stood by the elephant and his guide-the
gentle pressure of one toe, or the COM
preston of one knee, or the delicate
touch Of heel, or the almost impercept.
ible swaying of the body to one side the
elephant detects every movement, how.
socver slight; the mighty beast obeys the
unseen helm of thought, just as huge
ship yields h7 apparent instinct to the
insignificant appendage which directs
her course.
While greatly regrettiDg the time
wien the elephant may become extinct,
our author-sportsman confesscs to having
killed several hundred elephants. This
was in carly life, and nothing now, nc
saws, would induce him to s.,oot one ex.
ccpt in self-dcfence. The author calls
attention to a remarkable and not gener-
ally known fact. In all his experience
he never came across a sick or dead
elephant in the woods except once, and
that one had evidently been recently
killed in q terrible struggle with wild
beasts. On the other hand elephants,
although without ever studying surgery,
have all extraordinary power of recovery
from wounds in their wild state by
plastering their hurts with mud or blow
ing dust upon the surface. Dust and
mud comprise the entire medicine chest
of the elephant, and this is applied upon
the most trihing as we'll rs upon the most
serious occasion. If an elephant has a
very slight sore back it will quickly paint
out the sore spot by blowing dust upon
the part which it cannot reach with its
trunk. He plasters up bullet wound
with mud. This not only keeps out the
air, but the flies, which in that climate
very soon fill up wound with maggots.
Sir Samuel Baker describes an ad-
venture in which the fury and the
cowardice of the elephant are equally
shown. Bisgaum, high-castc bull
elephant, was the animal in question.
He was bad tempered, but was supposed
to be courageous. He seems to have
possessed some of the traits we some
times see exhibited by human beings.
He would fling out his trunk with ex-
treme quickness to strike person with
in his reach, and would kick out sharply
with his hind leg whenever a native
vtotured to approach his rear. A nice
animal, that After considerable watch
ing from concealed platform called
mucharn, Sir Samuel Baker succeeded in
getting a good shot at the magnificent
tiger for which the hunt had been started.
In due time the tiger appeared, dashing
out of the jungle, flying across the open
at tremendous speed. Sir Samuel sue
ceedcd in getting in a good shot. The
tiger gave a short but spasmodic roar
and disappeared in the forest, going
with unabated speed. The ground was
carefully examined and deep tracks were
found leading into the jungle. The
hunters followed the trail cautiously on
foot until dried leaf was found splashed
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

animal was quite dead. Instead of this
he ordered the mahout of Bisgaum to
make turn with his elephant and ad-
vance cautiously from the right to ascer.
tain if the tiger was quite dead.
Bisgaum approached the prostratt
body Of the tiger, which lay apparently
dead. Suddenly the elephant halted fit.
teen yards from the object which had
never moved. Never was such hysteri'
cal fury exhibited as that now shown by
Bisgaum. 1t is impossible to describe
the elephantine antics of this frantic
animal; he kicked right and left with
his hind legs alternately; he tossed his
trunk in the air. trumpeting and scream.
ing, and shook his immense head until,
having nerved himself into sufficient
rage, he charged on his supposed dead
enemy to vent on the lifeless carcass
hate he dared not exhibit toward him
when alive.
But the tiger was not quite dead, and
with its teeth and claws it seized the
hind leg of the maddened Bisgaum.
Never was such fury seen. The air was
full of stones and dust, as the elephant
kicked with such force that the tiger fol
q moment was lost to view in the tire.
mendous struggle. Being kicked away
from his hold, with one of his long fangs
broken off short to the gum, the poor,
dying tiger lay helpless before his tre.
mendous foe, who, spinning quickly
about, drove his long tusks between his
adverssry's shoulders and finished him.
1t really looked as if, after all. there
was some real pluck in Bisgaum; but
suddenly reaction set in; seized with
fearful panic, the victorious elephant
turned tail and rushed through the thorny
jungle at the rate of twenty miles an
hour, seriously threatening his brave
mahout with destruction. The foolish
beast ran hall a mile before he stopped.
Here was an elephant of unusual size,
thorough training and great spirit, who
displayed most untrustworthy charac.
ter. 1t is no wonder that Eastern armies
which formerly included ranks of war
elephants were so often beaten by the uu-
reliable temper of those huge but treach-
erous allies.
Our author has some interesting obser-
vations about the courage of wild ami
mails. Contrary to the general opinion,
he has not found that they are bold in
the presence of an unknown danger or
fly not from man if they have had no pre-
vious knowledge of firearms or other
weapons. Thus the curlew is always
difficult to approach, even if unmolested
III swamps where the hand of man has
never been raised against it. Occasionally
animals show an opposite innocent fear
lessness that cannot be explained. The
wagtails are tame and confding through
out all places. Beasts of prey vary even
in an extraordinary degree, some of the
same species being brave, others timid.
No calculations can be made as to how
they will act on the approach of an
enemy, whether man or beast. But it il
a mistake to imagine that the gaze OF the
human eye has an intimidating effect, es-
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

DOM PEDRO H., LAST EMPEROR OF BRAzII~
Emperor and the insanity Of his wife.
And Dom Pedro himself, among the
wisest and best of monarchs, has lived
to see his empire turned into republic
and must spend the balance OF his life IN
exile. To make his experience all the
more striking he has witnessed during
his exile desperate attempt to drive
from the throne of Portugal the last OF
his race, who holds precarious sway
over kingdom which his ancestors had
ruled for many centuries.
Dom Pedro is descended from three
of the proudest and most ancient royal
families in Europe. His paternal an
cestors were the Braganzas, his grand
mother was a Bourbon and his mother
Hapsburg. The Brazilian dynasty came
into existence through the wars with the
great Napoleon and ended with over
throw of the second Emperor. Dom
Pelro's mind has lost its vigor since his
enforced retirement.- Chicago Post.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

pccially on those of the cat tribe, SUCH
as tigers or panthcrs. On the contrary:
it rather tends, to increase their rage,
because it shows that they are under
careful observation and therefore liable
to attack. Whereas, if they think they
are unobserved, they often pass on qui-
etly and stink irto Their hiding places,
except when pinchcd bv the pangs Of
hunger.
in general, wild animals, like men, arc
always on the alert for danger. They
never know from what quarter it may
come, each species being terror to those
below it. For example, it is rarely that
herd of wild beasts dare to stoop to
drink without first examining the horizon
right and left, as a band of pioneers on
the Western prairies before they pitch
their camps scan the plain for rowing
Apachcs in search of scalps. Not even
then do all animals drink ct once, but
some watch while the others slake their
thirst. From the lowest animal up to
man, s:the roof and crown of things" 1t
is indeed one continuous battle whilc life
lasts.
As a rule the more highly organized
an animal is, or a human being, the more
conscious be becomes about the danger,
the more intelligent aud wary in avoiding
or overcoming it, and the more interest
ing are the occasions when he crowds
fear back and displays chivalrous action
and superb courage. The tiger is natu-
rally cautious, Notwithstanding his fero-
city and strength. He is dangerous
when desperate, but does not willingly
face danger. And yet when he does he
calls forth bursts of admiration for in:
telligent daring that reminds US of the
heroism of man.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

with blood. It was evident that the
tiger could not be far off. and the two
elephants, Demoiselle and Bisgaum, were
called up to aid in beating up the tiger,
if still alive. The shikaris, or hunters,
with Sir Samuel, stationed themselves
on the crest of hillside. Directly in
front the ground suddenly dipped into
little dell, which formed the bed of a
torrent in the rainy season.
Several shots were soon heard. The
elephants Immediately became wild with
excitement. Changing his steed for
Demniselle, Sir Samuel advanced and
discovered the tiger, at which he fred
several shots until he thought life was
extinct. But he would allow no one to
approach it on foot to prove that the
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
Brazil's Deposed Emperor.

Dom Pedro H., the deposed Emperor
of Brazil, has spent most of tie time
since the revolution sent him into exile
at various places IN the Riviera. His
health is not good and he has been much
depressed in spirits by his misfortunes.
Dom Pedro de Alcantara was during his
reign in Brazil the only representative Of
monarchy on the American continent.
The attempt to found an empire in Mexico
in the interes. of his cousin, Maximilian
of Austria, proved disastrous failure,
ending in the execution of the would-be
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
TEMPERANCE.
PRACTICAL TEMPERANCE.

Young men are learning Che everyday
commercial value of temperance. The
"good fellow" man is he who stays at the
ladders foot, and his comrades profit by that
object lesson. In no walk Of life are the
higher paths open as they were, not SO very
long ago, to the man who drinks. Business
men, professional men, look upon an en-
ploye's convivial habits as menace to them
selves. What once found ready excuse now
suffers not even liberation. That is the
plain lesson of the times And that is the
reason common sense is every day forward
ing the cause of practical temperance. .-Kan-
SaS City Times.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
BIG LAND SALE.

A Stock Company Buys the Maxwell
Land Grant Of 1, ,.OO,O 900 Acres. >
1t is announced at Denver, Col, that the
Maxwell land grant in New Mexico, contain
ing /, 700, 900 acres has been sold. The price
is not named, but it is known that the COM
mission of the agent who sold it amounted to
sl50,OOO. The agent who made the deal has
been in New York for the past three months,
where he has been negotiating. Many men
have been killed for trespassing upon it.
The company is stocked for $40, 1000, 600.
The final payment is not to be made for
about three months, when the company VIII
take possession Of the lands. 1t is claimed
there are rich mineral lands in the tract.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
MRS. cARL1sLE's TEMPERANCE VIEWS.

Mrs. Carlisle, wife of the eminent Senator
from Kentucky, is an advocate Of strict tenn
perance. So consistent is she that upon the
occasion of the handsome dinner given last
winter by the then Senator to the Justices of
the Supreme Court no wine whatever was
used When 1 asked her opinion she re-
piled: "Of course you are sufficiently ia
miliar with my sentiments in regard to the
Offering of liquor not to doubt my answer.
! never touch wine or punch of any kind
during all the seasons round Of receptions
and teas, and I never permit it to appec-
upon my table. 1t makes no difference what
the world thinks; 1 shall always keep strict
ly to my principles"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
Inscription Oh q Sun Dial.

It is said that not many years ago IN
the Temple in London was q sun dial
with the motto: "Be gone about your
business" and that this unusual inscrip-
ton arose fron the "builders man" call
ing to receive orders about it when the
bencher in charge was so busy that he
did not listen, but said: "Begone about
your business" which the man took as
bis answer and forthwith engraved. -
The SATURDAY. ReyleD.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
4 TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
:. Partisan Killed His Wife, Child and!
Mother-in-Law,

Mother-in-Law,
NJ. Herbelot. of the Boulevard Courcelles,
Paris, France, believing his wife to be un-
faithful, at a late hour at night cut her
throat and strsnglei the child which was
sleeping by her side.
He then went to the chamber Of his wite's
mother, AMI after struggle, during wnich
tho poor woman begged piteously for LIE,
stabbed her to the heart.
He then instantly ran into the Boulevard
half clothsd, and surrendered himself to ths
-en iarmes, avowing the murders and declar~
'2g he was glad his vio.ims we're dead.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

A special parcel of Ceylou tea sold
recently, after spirited bidding at the
London Commercial Salesroom, for S54
per pound.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
TOTAL ABSTINENCE AND LONGEVITY.

TOTAL ABSTINENCE AND LONGEVITY.
When the death of centenarian is re-
ported in the newspapers, it usually elicits
from the reporter one of two comments.
We are either told that the deceased had
been all his life O total abStainer from to-
babco and alcoholic beverages, or else that
he had always INDUCED with moderation in
those stimulants. On such statements, even
if authentic, we would not base any trust
worthy inference regarding the effect Of
alcohol upon longevity-frst, because the
facts are contradictory, and secondly, be-
cause they are too few.
The large amount of data needed for even
provisional induction is now for the first
time presented by an English life insurance
company, which has been for some years
collecting statistics bearing on the subject.
The Scep;er Life Association, which has
been in existence for a quarter of q century,
has kept two records OF the persons insured
total abstainers being classed in one section
and all other risks in another, the so-called
general section. Even from the last-named
category heavy drinkers and persons
engaged in the liquor traffic are excluded.
The data, therefore, collected by the COM
pany are intended to afford the means of
comparison between total abstinence and
moderate indulgence in alcoholic beverages
as regards the effect upon longevity.
during the five years ending December, 1883,
have just been published. In the general
section during that period six thousand seven
hundred lives were insured; in the abstinence
section, four thousand five hundred and
twenty-seveu. In the general section tho
actual deaths constituted only seventy-six
per cent. Of the deaths expected according
to the British actuaries' tables On the other
hand, in the abstinence section the actu II
deaths were only ftty-seven per cent. of the
deaths expected. the evidence supplied by
these statistics must be admitted to be CO.
gent, if not absolutely conclusive. 1t indi-
Gates that even moderate drinker is much
less likely than total abstainer to live to an
advanced age.
Another interesting fact is brought out by
the medical examiner of this life insurance
company. He says that in the examination
Of many thousands of applicants he has
found that total abstainers, as a rule, exhibit
a much cleaner condition Of the tongue, re-
sembling, indeed, that of young child. His
observations have also led him to concur
with the late Baron Liebig in affirming that
total abstainers eat more than moderate
driukerN 1Ne,c York Ledger.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

A "temple of the arts" at Washington
is to occupy $50 acres and cost s5,ooo,-
600.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

THE English quarter, at which wheat
Is quoted in the English reports. is $50
pounds, or one-fourth of the ton gross
weight Of 2,240 pounds. The English
legal bushel Is seventy pounds, and
dght Of those bushels is quarter
equal to nine and one-haH of our bush
sls Of sixty pounds.