Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-11-15

the highway.
Here's hoping those chains hold till
catch that train" he murmured with
soulful emphasis.
Five miles farther on he sat down
by the roadside to rest few moments.
He took out his wad of money and
counted 1t with deep satisfaction
Twas in small bills and looked like a
foytune.
would wish they were thrown over to
sink or swim along with an elephant If
they could only see that roll" he
chuckled.
Then he pricked up his ears. There
as dull roar of voices over the hill
whence he had come. Even as he felt
the chill Of dread expectancy darting
to his heart, his tried and true friend
Ella came looming over the eminence
and scuffled down the road through
the dust that spatted out under her
broad feet. When she saw him she
gave one glad shout Of welcome and
broke into jogging trot. A few rods
| behind her followed the rout OF the
| farmers who composed the elephant
syndicate. They were armed with
| sticks and pitchforks but they had ev-
identity foreborne from engaging the
great beast in conflict.
In his wrath, Badly filed his arms
with rocks, and as the joyous Ella
came humping toward him he greeted
her with fusillade. She stopped and
eyed him with a look of almost senti-
mental reproach and then, shutting
her eyes. came butting up against lhe
bombardment. Bragg sat down with
a groan. What could he oppose
against such devotion as that? She
stood before him, her ears dropping
meekly enough, but with a mighty res
olution showing in the eyes that
cleaned under her bullying frontlet.
shes busted my barn most all to
pieces and now here she Is" painted
the head of the rural elephant syndi.
cate, standing off at a safe distance.
We don't want her. Erphunts hain't
In our line. Give us back them tew
hunderd dollars and take your mis-:
able critter."
Now, see here; this has been fair
and square trade" protested Badly, al
most tearfully. 81 don't want her
She's yours. If you can't keep heI
that isn't my lookout"
: Give us back our money" cried the
farmers.
; You just take your elephant and
: let me alone" grumbled Badly.
He started on. The farmers at
tempted to make a detour around Ella
in order to overhaul him, but the ele
plant, harassed by their persistent
/ pursuit and apprehending that they
meant mischief to her friend, turned
and charged on them viciously. They
, retreatsd in a panic, and then Badly
r with the elephant following wistfull!
; at his heels, plodded modify on. Tn,
4 farmers trailed at a respectful dis
I lance. Occasionally Bragg's wratl
would blaze out, and he would halt ant
hml bitter invective at the pertina
. cious beast. But when he went on
, Ella trudged patiently and perseyer
> ingly behind.
In this order of march the parad
> entered the railroad village to the in
tense establishment of the inhabitant
thereof. The train was due In al
hour. When Badly, intrenched on tn,
station platform, declared that tn
/, elephant trade must stand the syndi
cate sought a lawyer. Soon an office
appeared, armed with warrant order
ing Braggs arrest on the charge OF pa
rading the streets without a license
1t was explained to Badly that thi
step was simply to hold him until h
could be further prosecuted for oil
tanning money under false pretencei
Badly sat for a while on the static
platform and gazed at Ella reHectiv,
ly.
Blame ye," he grumbled at last, "a
nuisance ye're worse than the seve
years itch, but ye're the only friend
ever had that has stuck to me q
though | was really pretty good sol
Of fellow.
Ella turned up her trunk with a gel
tie sigh, and he dropped into the re,
lined pouch handful OF peanuts. II
and she munched placidly few m,
ments, regarding each other wit
grave appreciation. Then Badly Gale
up the head of the elephant synd
cate.
Here's your money" said Bragg
i've jest signed a contract with Ell
here to manage her on the fall circu
of fairs. Her and me haip't no goo
hands in dealin' with farmers, an,
way.
And it is related of Badly and HI
venture that when he figured up at tn
4 end of October, he was thrice glad thf
he did not accept the $500.
And in addition to his profits .
thought 1t is purely waste of tim
to mention the fact-he still was
close possession of his friend, the ell
plant.