The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-11-03
THE MAN AND THE ELEPHANT.

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ploded the words, striking his hand on
the table.
"If you mean syntax is bother, I'm
with you there" said Bert, looking up
from his grammar.
Julia looked up quickly, too, with an
amused twinkle in her eyes. Being in
the Normal" such agonies as these Of
Ned's and Bert's were in the past tense
with her.
"Ho." struck in Tom, "what'sj the use
of botherirg, any way? Let 'em mark
you forty in grammar, and keep the av-
erage up with something else-arithme-
tic, or natural history, or something.
You can talk SOS to be understood with
out knowing syntax."
mot always, Tom"
I'D like to know why not, Julia. If
fellow knows what he wants to say, |
guess he can say it all right enough. l
believe in having a little fun evenings.
Here's rafting good story I've got.
Suppose you fellows take in that, and let
the syntax CO."
what is it?" asked Ned.
why, it's about man that had
picture of himself painted on an ele-
plant"
"Ha. hal" laughed Ned. "That must
have been funny looking elephant!
Did the man have his picture painted on
the elephants back. or on his sides?"
mo, I don't mean that. l mean the
man had himself painted sitting on an
elephant"
Had himself painted" Everybody
laughed but Tom. Sitting on an ele-
plant! Did they stand on a stepladder
to paint him, Tom?"
Jaw! you know we'll enough, Bert
what / mean"
swell, what?"
II mean the man sat on an elephant
to have himself painted"
Mr.. and Mrs. Perkins, from across the
room, were laughing, too, by this time.
WELL" retorted Bert, II don't see but
what that's the same as you said last,
only turned around"
II can put it right" chimed in Ned,
confidently. you mean to say, the man
who had an elephant painted, sitting on
his back. No, that wouldn't
Il should think it wouldn't! That's
the worst yet" cried Bert. "If the ele-
plant was sitting on his back. where
was the man? Or was the elephant sit
ting on the mans back?"
1t was relief to Toms temper and
general feelings to join the laugh at Ned.
Then he spoke up, with dignifed en-
phasis:
Il mean exactly this. l mean the
man that had an elephant painted with
him on its back"
"Well, Tom." said Mr.. Perkins, ro-
guishly, "if that's what you mean,
wouldn't have liked to be in the mans
place, sitting up there while the elephant
was being painted-not if was very
large elephant"
Then I'll say, if you like it BETTER
persisted Tom, just little nettled again,
"the man who had picture of an ele-
plant, with him on his back painted"
with him on his back, painted, chr"
Knocked Bert. What color was he paint
ed, Tom, black or blue?"
Perhaps I can help you out, Tom,"
suggested Julia, gently; hough don't
feel very sure. How would this do? The
man who had picture painted-of him
self, sitting on an elephants back
Everybody paused to think moment,
in silence.
'There doesn't seem to be anything
the matter with that" ventured Bert.
slowly.
No; I'm inclined to think that's what
you wanted to say Tom," said his faith
er.
Probably it was, then,' assented Tom,
smiling good naturally once more. go
ahead with your syntax. boys, for all me,
and I'll finish the story to myself about
the man and the elephant" Youths
Companion.