Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1895-11-22
SOME NEW TRICK ELEPHANTS.
They Understand English and Weep whei
Reprimanded.

heprinNn0eus
Some trained elephants are now being
exhibited in New York by Scotch trav,
eler named Lockhart, who has educated
them himself, and, unlike many train
ers, says that affection and confidence
are the secrets of controlling this most
interesting Of beasts. Lockhart is n dap.
per little man; has large aud kindly
black eyes and dresses in the plainest
manner possible. He does not carry
gold headed cane, nor does he wear
diamond cross But as an elephant train
er he is genius of the first water.
'The secret of my success. believe,
said Mr.. Lockhart, lies in constant at
tention, kindness. and when necessary
absolute firmness. On arriving Mt new
town invariably see my elephants com
fortably slowed away and fed before I
go to my own hotel. Except for the
early breakfast am always present at
their meals. bring them sweetmeats,
buns, knots of sugar, and when they are
sick attend to them carefully. Then
they look to me for everything They
know every word / say and do every.
thing wish SO far as they can. treat
them Just as would children. Indeed
am much more careful Of them than l
am of my own children, because while
have to support my children the Gle.
plants, in point Of fact, support me. "
"What is your mode Of punishment p"
"Well, really, the animals are 80
fond of me and so tractable that beyond
| a stern look and an occasional harsh
word little is needed, OF course can
always cut off supplies-that is, reduce
their food, and this they feel very
strongly. A few nights ago Molly was
somewhat slow mt her tricks on the
stage, and as l passed her one time I
gave her fierce scowl and growled be-
tween my teeth: This is very bad. l
shall not be friends with you. Molly
is the most tender hearted Of the three
and was very much cut up. When the
curtain fell. she followed me to the sta
BILE with great tears rolling down her
cheeks, and it was not until had made
friends and told her that she was for
given that she became herself again.
"How long does it take to teach them
trick or point in the performance,
whatever you may term itf"
"Well, that all depends. OF course,
Boney is the cleverest, and picks mp
things quicker than the others, and, in
fact, she helps to teach them. Some tri-
| fling movements which you have seen
ON the stage have cost me two years
have made them repeat from so to 200
times a day. BIT, once they have it, !
can rely upon them. have only to give
the sign and they are there. One of the
most difficult things was to get Boney
to understand that she must keep time,
regular time, in playing the organ. But,
now she understands it, her timekeep-
ing is that of born musician. As for
the tricycle., it was more difficult TO de-
sign machine than to teach Boney to
ride. She took to II without any great
difficulty, and, in spite Of some acci-
dents, she has always shown wonderful
intelligence in steering.
"What were the accidents?"
"Well, ON one occasion, on some
what small and sloping stage when we
were in France, Boney could not make
the turn in time and ran into the or
chestra. The players fortunately fore
saw the avalanche and got out OF the
way, but the machine was ruined. On
another occasion, on q small stage at
Budapest, Molly overbalanced herself
while standing on her head on barrel,
and toppled over on the big drum, do
ing damage which cost me $50 to re
pair. As rule, however, they are won.
derful The manner in which their busi.
ness is carried on on the stage proves
how thoroughly they are in touch with
me- have only to give them the word
and the thing is done. New York
I.attar i'm Snriuofield Rpnuhlicau