Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-07

tional purposes" the poor beast was placed
in bond in a warehouse along with about a
thousand casks of Jamaica rum.
The customs officer hurried to the head OF
his department the collector general of
customs. and asked him:
What about elephantS?
The collector general of customs tele-
phoned his chief. the colonial secretary:
'What about elephantS?"
The colonial secretary telegraphed his ex-
cellency the governor:
What about elephants?"
His excellency the governor sent glitter
ing aid-de-camp to pull that very lazy gen.
tleman, the attorney general, out or bed
and to ask him:
What about elephants?'
Meanwhile the poor collector general OF
customs was learning thing or two about
elephants AS he sat in his Office bordering
the problem he heard a terrible row In the
bonded warehouse. Rushing over to it he
looked through the window.
Tired and Cross.
The elephant had got over his seasickness
and grown cross. He was trumpeting VI
ciously and playing foot ball with the rum
barrels. In a few moments he STAYED In
the heads of half dozen or them Then
he stopped to suck up huge draughts OF the
pure spirit with all the enjoyment Oh a
hardened topper.
general to his deputy THE department
will have to pay for that rum. l wouldn I
mind standing the poor beast drink II
he wants it, but not thousand barrels
He opened the door, took dog biscuit
from his pocket. which he had intended for
the breakfast of his pet terrier ana mace
affectionate advances TO the enraged eie-
phant: Here. Towser! Come along, Ola
chappie, Did 'ums. them
The elephant threw back his ears ana
glared at the cajoler wickedly for mo-
ment: then sauirted a trunkfuf of rum over
his Immaculate white duck suit. and made
a rapid advance, which. however, was much
slower than the outraged officials exit.
A hurry call was sent for the circus pro-
prietor. and he was informed that he could
take his elephant away The authorizes
had decided that the animal was an educa-
tional institution, entitled such to adj
mission on the free list. But would the pro-
prietor please pay for the broken barrels
"Caramba Nevair!' shouted the indig-
nant Cuban. but / will to re court drag
you for re damage to my elephant. Per-
ceive him. senior! He is drunk! You lock
him up with all Eat rum and corrupt his
character
Sobered Up in Time.
The elephant sobered up in time for the
evening performance. He was, of course,
the star performer. He divided the honors
with Senorita Juanita Caceres, a clever
little Cuban beauty. who did stunts on the
only two horses in the show, and subse-
Guently appeared. In different costumes as
"Sen0rita Lucia Ramirez. the most marvel
Gus female fire-eater of the age" and
"Madamoselle Jeanne DArtagnan, the
champion woman fencer of France, who
challenges all Corners" Besides this versa
tile lady and the elephant, the only other
performers were the proprietor and two re-
tired Cuban revolutionists. who oficiated
impartially as stable hands. clowns aero
bats. bandsmen and jugglers.
l could not go to the first performance,
but sent one Of my colored servants, who
had never seen anything of the kind before.
and heard his account of It,
Laid. sah! he said. DE uffolant him
stand up high as dis house. and when him
speak IL jus like hearln' de steamah blow
as she gwine fe sail. An him hab two
tail-one big one pom him nose an one
III one pom him END part Him pick up
one big man wild him front tail as tenda h
an kyind as ! pick up me pickney. An
him dance to de music-one two. tree
soft an easy. jes' like missus at de party.
I objected to the comparison and asked
him what he thought Of the rest of the
show.
It's Drawbacks.
"Cho' sahi II was all wunnerful. Dere
was only one thing I didn' like" he con-
tinued, In tone OF outraged modesty Deere
was young missy dat ride two horses
berry clsbar. an she wear tiny III skirts