The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-01-09
ELEPHANT STORIES.
r.fy GO TO SHOW THAT THE GREAT
''- BEASTS CAN REASON

noysnce
nv opinion the elephant is the
AZ ;Ytelligent of all animals. he
mos, Cor himself, and no matter III
tnina' nosition he may be placed, OF
VIVA emergencies he may be called up
On 70 meet, he seems 10 10 enuomoI W.
vi 9TH enough common sense 10 DC equal
y, wal al occasions. He has also strong
o. Of bumor, which at times Is &c
se nsIsd as to be almost human. ,f
mS nm sense of the humorous was un-
ai,y we'll developed in an elephant
S Sns,v in the Jardin des Plantes IN far,
- ma was kept in Q great inolosure out
40 .ho omen air, 80 that he had plenty
~ .nor 70 roam about. In the same IN
" ',o.Urs was a very large hippopotamus.
v .Ne ,vbose comfort and amuscInent
~. u, stone basin had been built and
s s,,aS With water, and the hippopotamus
~ trrn furnished amusement for the
- a,onhant II was quite early one NOM
.I hefore the hour for admitting the
nnb,;c 10 the garden-when l noticed
tSa elenbant walking around on the
Stone edge of the basin, curiously watch
ING the hippopotamus.
felt quite sure that the elephant was
m 10 some prank, and Twas not mistak'
on. for, Just as soon as the ears OF the
h;nnonotamus came into view. the ele-
miami quickly seized one OF them with
his trunk and gave it a sudden pull.
The enraged hippopotamus lifted his
ronderous head clear of the water and
snorted and blew, but every time he
rose TO take breath the elephant would
rocommence his antics Around and
around the beast would go, keeping
sbarp lookout for the little ears OF the
binnopotamus, which he would seize the
moment they appeared. His evident de-
light in teasing his huge neighbor was
yerv comical, and there could be no
doubt that he thoroughly enjoyed it.
Again, one day the keeper placed
some food for the hippopotamus in
corner of the inclosure, and at once the
hippopotamus began to leave the water
to get it, but the elephant slowly am
bled over to the same corner, and arriv-
ing there first he placed his four feet
over the favorite food in such way that
the hippopotamus could not get at it,
gently swayed his trunk back and forth
and acted altogether as though he were
there quite accidentally, until the gar
den was thrown open to the public and
he went forward to receive the daily
contributions of bread. cake, pie, etc.,
which were always offered him by his
hosts Of admirers
Elephants appear to take much enjoy
ment in life and exhibit good natured
spirit even while at work. In the ami
mails quarters at Bridgeport. some time
ago. two little elephants showed evil
dent pleasure in the tasks that were set
for them. Even in their stable, when
no trainer was about, one little elephant
would stand on its head just 1t was
used to doing in the circus and the other
would look anxiously ON until its own
turn came to stand ON its head and be
admired by the other.
In his native cline. during the hot
hours Of the day, the elephant usually
seeks the friendly shade Of grove Of
trees so as to shield himself from thu
burning rays Of the sun. Some time ago
In Central park the elephants In sum
mer were kept In an open inclosur'
where there were no trees or shade q
any kind, and during the hot days
when the mercury was we'll up in Thu
nineties the heat was almost unbesr
able Intently watching the elephant
there were always many persons carry
Ing sunshades or umbrellas TO protec
Themselves from the suns rays
wonder how many Of these oulook
ers realized that the elephants, wsr
carrying sunshadss. too for such va
really the case. On the very hot day
the great quadrapeds would take th
nay that was given them. or, when the
could get 1t the newly mswp grass, An
completely thatch their backs with
70 shield themselves FROM the san The
Will sometimes do this same thing i
ny time to protect themselves from b
ing bitten, for. strange - &c may seem
tne elephants akin Il very sentative.
An Africa there grows q tree calle
sne heglik tree, which bears frui
Known by the name Of lolobss. Now th
elephant Is very fond Of lolobes, but th
mutt grows 10 high up as to be quit
out OF the animals reach. OF oourf
mat does not deter the elephant frol
uyins to get it Trus. he cannot elm
auee' but he has big bump Of ing
nuity and We may rest assured that
gets the fruit by some means or other.
Sir samuel Baker, the great Africa
traveller. was fortunate enough one da
W. see an elephant in the very act Of &c
uns the fruit The elephant would r
are a short distance from the tree IN
tnen rush at the trunk at full specs
striking his head against it with sue
,orce as to make the tree tremble
every limb and 30 shake down the frui
.epeating the charge again and aga
s Sn,'i enough lolobes had fallen to sati
y MS appetite. Our Animal Friend
A Trifie Particular.
ppunko-Stranger in New York, I sc
farmer-You've jist about struck |
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