The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-10-29

oughfare. But Evan tried to hide his blushes behind the black panther, , whence he was extricated on the verge of tears. .. .. .,.-. F" In the doorway of the elephant house the parental grasp relaxed, and with a dive Evan got between the mighty wrinkled pillars that supported Babe. That playful young creature had her vast ears thrust forward like immense banners. Her piggy eyes were all a-tWinkle. She gurgled deep down in her caverns, like a mountain full of sig. zling water. Gently, ever so gently, her big trunk with its pink orifice reached out and seized the little chap. Slowly she rock ed him to and fro, while he sat, holding to the trunk as calmly as other cIlil- dren would hold to the ropes of swing. But Basil wanted a bit of it, too, He reached and pranced and trumpted un- til Babe swung Evan over to him. A toss and a catch, and Basil had the boy. Back and forth they swung him like a ball, but with 8 care and gentleness that seemed impossible in creatures so huge.
 A word muttered from Healey. and Basil lifted the little golden-haired trainer up, up, until she held him ten feet above the ground. Then the trunk curved backwards and set him as softly as if he were bisque on her big back. He sat there a few moments, slapping the leathery skin, and then, with sud- den motion, slid down the sloping back of the tail swung from it as if it were a rope, and let himself drop to the ground, while Basil and Babe trumpet ed and wagged their ears, watching for him to appear between their legs again.
 "Safe?" said MT. Healey. "Why, of course. I'd rather have Evan play with the elephants than with other children. They take as good care of him as any nurse could. Every morn ing they are restless till he comes. And as for him, he is always in here, He plays among their feet and lets them swing him up on their backs all day long. They wouldn't step on him, no, indeed. They take more care not to hurt him than a human being would. See here."
 I1C AAICu tHS pOy up LU bdDe s IGIL ear and commanded: "Listen, Babe. some- thing to say to you"
 Babe stuck her ear out and inclined her head toward the boy, while he talk ed into her ear. Then she nodded her head wisely and grunted.
 Healey dropped the voy. Evan step- ped alongside of Babe and slapped her on the leg as high up as he could reach. which wasn't higher than a short mans knee. Down, Babe, down." he said.
 Babe looked at him with a funny look of appeal in her eye. She wiggled her tail and flirted her trunk and turned her head away, saying plainly: f'Let's talk of something else" But the baby trainer was persistent. And Babe sigh- ed-a rumbling, roaring Sigh, as if a steam engine were to whisper, "Oh, my!"
 Then, with a weary grunt, she held her trunk out to him coaxingly. But Even only patted it and cried shrilly: Down, Babe, say" So Babe, looking as if she had no friend on earth, erunt- ed once more and dropped Iaboriously to her fore knees. With another plunge that shook the elephant house she let herself fall cumbrously on her side and stuck her four feet into the air. Then she held out her trunk and wiggled her upturned ear. Evan scrambled with hands and knees up her massive, throb-