The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-07-25

ENG in position some years
X ago that afforded me an oppOr-
tunity to study the charscteris-
tic traits Of the largest existing
sand mammal, will endeavor to the
best of my ability to characterize them.
That ls, portray some of their domi-
uant features and relate several Incl
dents that may be of passing interest. 4
There are two distinct species, name
ay, Asiatic or Indian and African, j
The former according to my observa-
tion are endowed with higher degree
of animal intelligence and their imita- !
tive instinct is more pronounced than
the latter. They are of a much gentler1
disposition, tractable, symmetrically
proportioned, hide of finer texture,
and an alacrity in carrying out COM
mand that is surprising in such a
bulky creature. Consequently they
are in greater demand and command q
higher price. If dOmesticated while
young it is not so difficult matter as
some persons seem to think to break
them. But, if imported unframed in
their maturity, perseverance and pa
thence are the requisite requirements
Go bring this to successful termina-
tion. And when once broken to per-
form trick they are not very apt to
forget it, Therefore you are amply re-
warded for your pains. They are
broken to new acts in winter quarters
most every year, for it would not pay
to exhibit the same thing more than
one season unless it made an extraordi-
nary hit and called for repetition. i
Patience is essential when breaking
them while they are young, for they
are as frisky and playful as young
colt. They enjoy frolicking and cut.
all sorts of capers. They can also be
as mean and balky as Missouri mule,
If pushed too hard in their training
and anything not to their liking or
which requires too much of their atten-
tion when they are out of sorts, they
become so impatient and stubborn
chat they run close second to the
aforementioned mule. In this dilem-
ma the trainers sagacity is called into
acquisition and his competency is in
the balance. Ordinarily in cases of
this kind they are judiciously put thru
their turn and retired until in a
better mood. For to force them
too hard when in such condition
would be doing more harm than good.
1t is imperative at times to change
this mode Of procedure to something
more drastic, for it would never do to
let them have their own way; but, con-
trolling the temper and using due dis
cretion are the attributes necessary to
attain the desired result. In their
tender years they are ouly taught to
perform minor tricks that require but
little skill and are easily executed, 80
as not to impair their efficiency as they
mature.
The little fellows are readily adopted
10y some of the grand danes and are as
JCokOuSAy pIOlCCI0u ouu CoI0U 1OT 0S
chicks are by an old hen. If parted,
from their protege for any consider
able length of time the old lady will
trumpet and become so morose that
the return of the little one will only
appease her. Should the young one:
reciprocate the affection it manifests
it's uneasiness by believing and snort
ing until returned to its protectress.
The African has nearly the opposite
qualities of the ,Asiatic. The majority
of them are stupid, indocile, listless
and difficult to train. There are some
that cannot even be broken to lie down
to be swept off; you have to mount
them with ladder Some sleep stand
ing up. The reason for this is only
explainable in that they can scarcely
get up when once down, and eKertion
is foreign to their nature. remember
one that did not lie down for three
seasons while on the road. The only
chance they have for nights rest4is
ona Sunday, for there fs not sufficient