The Helena independent., 1892-07-31
ne Of the Big Fellows Begged for
the Church and Also for
Himself
ovation Extended to q Gentleman
Who Gave Him Bread and
HoneV.
Reasoning Faculties Employed to Solve
the Problem Of . Trough That Was
Not Level.

Written for THE HELENA INpEpENDENr.l
1Y FEW LEAGUES FROM pONDICK-
Ae cry stands the celebrated pagoda OF
/4 Willenoor, which at the great May
festivals ID visited BY thousands Of
pilRrlms, coming from every part at India.
This pagoda possesses large number Of
sacred elephants, and among them 10 men-
dicant elephant.
Twice weekly the latter travels from viii
lage to village and to Pondickery, accom-
panied by his driver, and begs for the ben
eft of Brahmans of Willenoor. How many
times at work in the veranda of the frst
story of my house, shaded by its curtains
OF cnscus grass. have seen the huge trunk
of this elephant lift the hanging. and wave
to ask me for coin which he would draw
with his breath from my hand into his
trunk at distance of at least four inches.
never failed to give him a piece Of
money for his pagoda; and In consideration
OF this, and Of the loaf of bread which my
servant always dipped for him in molasses.
| of which elephants are extremely fond-he
! md / had in short time become fast
friends. ..
He had seen me only in indoor dress
that is to say in light Moorish costume Of
India silk, behind tho columns and balcony
of the veranda.
One day business called me to Willenoor.
arrived at noon. The sun was scorching
the earth. There was no ono in the st, eets
or und, the veranlas; everybody was en-
joy ing a sesta.
My carriage had stopped in the main pub
lie place, and was about to take my way
to the house OF the sildar, the village chief.
when suddenly monstrous black elephant
came at gallop from the paRoda,
which stood opposite us. He came
seward us, ana befo'e ! had
lifted me up and set mo on bis neck and
was returning rapidly to the pagoda. He
took me through the first enclosure, that of
the great lake of ablutions, aud carried me
straight to the elephant'a qua'ter. There
he set me on the ground, in the midst OF
all his comrades 1t was the mendicant
elephant who had recognized me. He ut
tered little cries and at the same time waved
his trunk and hRpped his ears-demon-
ktrations which his friends doubtless in
teri reted to my advantage. for when the
thasildar. followed by several Brahmnns
from the temple, cana to find out what had
happened. they found mo quiet and perfectly
at ease, surrounded By those monstrous
animals paying me veritable ovation.
"This is IN extraordinary thing" said
ono of the Brahmans; Il have nev,r seen
tnem eVlhce 10 mucn friendship 1oE any
one."
explained my little weekly gifts to the
mendicant elephant.
II am no Longer surprised." said he.
HE has told the whole herd about it, and
the gourmands are ,flattering you to obtain
the same favor fo~ thomselves"
ia il possible?" said l, with astonish-
ment. f~@@' - r-.- ~ 80.
II am quite sure of it. Would you like to
prove that it is so? Pass your arm about
Your friends trunk and signal to him to 90
out with you, they will all follow. Let
them lead the way and you will see where
they will take your
followed his suggestion. The mendi-
cant elephant and l went fl at; the nine
others Immediately fell into line with us.
exchanging with each other sounds express
sive of satisfaction. We passed out at the
door of the paQoda and they led me straight
to tho shop of a native baker. Once at the
shop it was clear that l must do what WAS
expected of me, and bestowed on each one
them loaf Dipped into the coveted cane
eyrup.
The Brahman with whom had talked
and who was professor of philosophy in tho
temple of Willenoor, told me that at var
ious times the mendicant elephant had
eluded their watchfulne>s and had gone as
far as Poudichery to beg on his own ac-
count, and then, rs he was we'll acquainted
with the bazaar to which he was taken in
his turn to get provisions for the temple,
lie would stop there on his way back and
deposit all the money that had been given
him on the the table of a fruiterer, and
proceed to eat as many sugar canes,
bananas, pineapples and manRoes Is tho
Hindoo would give him.