The Somerset reporter., 1896-09-24

A Trying Ordeal.
was full fiedged NJ. D. once and
never should have thought of adopting
my present profession if it hadn't been
for queer accident which occurred
when first hung out my single
had rich neighbor, man | was
bound to propitiate, and the very first
call | had, after days of waiting for pa.
tlents who dIdn't come, was to his barn
to see what was the matter with his sick
mare. / cured the mare and took in my
shlngle, Tor from that day to this I've
never prescribed for human being. I
bad won reputation as u veterinary
turgeon and had to stick to it. But
that's neither here nor there, only if
you think animals can't show gratitude
and affection perhaps you'll change
your mind.
When had been in practice a year or
two, sent for my brother Dick He was
wonderful chap with all kinds of ami
mails, and | thought perhaps / could
work out of my part of it and leave that
for him. | never did, for Dick a cot
ton broker in New York now. and |
should have to begin all over again to
make first rate physician But that s
what l meant to be then.
The next day after Dick came I got a
telegram from p. r. Barnum I'd been
down there once or twice to his own
stable, and he had a good deal of faith
i'll me The dispatch was.
Hebe has hurt her foot Come at
once. "
Hebe was favorite elephant-a
splendid creature and worth a small
fortune.
Well, | confess l hesitated. I dis
trusted my own ability and dreaded the
result. But Dick was determined to GO
and go we did. When we got out of the
cars, Barnum himself was there with a
splendid pair of matched grays. He eyed
me very obviously.
Il d forgotten you were such little
fellow, y he said in discouraged tone.
I'm afraid you can't help her. "
His distrust put me ON my mettle.
Mr.. Barnun, said l, getting into
the carriage, IF it comes 20 a hand to
hand fight between Hebe and me l don t
believe an extra foot or two of height
would help me any. y
He laughed outright, and began tell
ing how the elephant was hurt She
had stepped ON small bit of iron and
it had penetrated the tender part of the
foot. She was in intense agony and al
most wild with pain.
Long before we reached the inclosure
i'll which she was we could hear her
piteous trumpeting, and when we en-
tered we found her on three legs, swing
ing the hurt foot slowly backward and
forward and utteriug long cries of an
guish. Such dumb misery in her looks
poor thing
Even Dick quailed now.
you can never get near her." he
whispered. "She'll kill you, sure. ="
Her keeper OWNED what he said.
Don't you be afraid, sir, " he called
out to me- "Hebe's got sense. "
l took my instruments from Mr.. Bar
mum.
q like your pluck, my boy" he said
heartily. but | own that | felt rather
queer and shaky as | went up to the
huge beast.
The men employed about the show
came around us curiously, but at a re-
spec tful and eminently safe distance, as
| bent down to examine the foot.
While l was doing 80 as gently as
could felt, To my horror, light touch
on my hair. 1t was as light as a wom-
airs, but as turned and saw the great
trunk behind me it had an awful sug-
gestiycness.
shes only curling your hair, -" sang
out the keeper Don mind her. "
Il shall have to cut, and cut deep, ;"
said | by way of reply.
He said few words i'll some lingo,
which We're evidently intended for the
elephant understanding only. Then
ne shouted with the utmost GOODNESS:
''Cut away
The mans faith inspired me. There
he stood, quite unprotected, directly in
front of the great creature and quietly
jabbered away o her as if this were an
everyday occurrence.
Well, made one cash with the knife.
| felt the grasp on my hair tighten per-
ceptibly, yet not urgently. Cold drops
of perspiration came out all over me.
"Shall | cut AGAIN. | managed to
call out
Cut away. came again the encour-
aging response.
This stroke did the work The abscess
was lanced. We sprayed out the foot,
packed it with oakum and bound it
up. The relief must have been immcdi-
ate, for the grasp ON my hair relaxed,
the elephant drew a long, almost human,
sigh, and-well, | don't know what
happened next, for | tainted dead away.
Dick must have finished the business
and picked up me- and my tools l was
as limp as a rag.
1t must have been year and a half
after this happened that | was called to
western Massachusetts to see some fancy
horses. Barnum S circus happened to no
there. You may be sure that | called to
inquire for my distinguished patient.
Hebe's well and hearty, SIR " the
keeper answered me. Come in and eoe
her. She'll be glad to see you.
Nonsense, said |, though confess
| had keen curiosity to see If she would
know me AS stepped into the tent
There she stood, the beauty, as well
as ever. For moment she looked at me
indifferently. then steadily and with in-