The Washington herald., 1907-01-21

Zoo. He has lived nineteen years. four
teen OF which have been spent at the Zoo
amusing the people OF the Nations Capt.
tai. Old Atchie is about all in and doesn
cut up any more. He sits around like an
old man. seemingly realizing that his use
ful days are over. Monkeys Ike com
partnership. For company another mon
key is kept In Old Atchie's cage.
The only unhappy member Of the happy
family at the Zoo yesterday was the
polar bear. He didn't like the warm
weather and the sunshine. 1t made MIN
think too much of last summer.
Warm weather might be all right the
polar bear said yesterday to the grizzly,
But I'll be dog-goned If I Ike Il. What
do know about the north pole? A
whole lot; but you know, Griz, ! never
was much on talking"
Just then the keeper appeared and the
polar went about fixing up his white coat
"a coat, by the way, that is worth only
several hundred dollars on the market.
but Is more valuable TO the bear himself
than a million Finally he continued:
Why, boy, I'm an old timer. / was
born under the shadow Of the north pole.
That's what I know about ii. It's long
story, and sad Briefly, I got on a cake
Of ice, was separated from my parents,
and drifted south. ! was half dead when
captured-and here 1 am. You know the
rest. Griz. But the weather. Well, you
know what's coming-those old hot days
when they have to put ice in our cages
to keep US from roasting I don't wish
any one any bad luck. but I wish II
were cold weather. cold as bIszes, all the
year. l could sit on cake Of nice, cool
ice forever. The polar thought be had
already talked too much, and went TO his
hole 10 suck his paw and think Of the
good old days in the frozen North, where
ice is the cheapest article on the market
Dunk the elephant, IS the Oldest in
hsbitant He is forty-two years OF age
Seventeen years ago he went to the park
and has remained there ever since. Not
one lick Of work has he ever done. But
his health Is good and he viii probably
live another forty-two years.
Within the next few days the practice
Of allowing people to feed the animals Is
to be abolished W II. Blackburne. head
keeper. says the animals get too much to
eat and a variety Of food that doesn't
agree with them. Consequently, Don't
feed the animal signs are being painted.
and will soon adorn the cages and all
parts Of the park
The news that there were TO be no
more free feeds was the sole topic OF
conversation among the animals yesteT-
day. The rumor has not been confirmed
by any OF them, but there has been
enough gossip for the inmates % know
that there was something doing
If the peanut IS cut out Of this here
cage, said the leader OF the monkey gang,
why, It simply means that there will be
strike Tll' call out every one Of the
bunch Take il from me, young Teller
that If We don't get our regular peanut
handOut. little bites Of fruit, &c. there
viii be no more acTobatic feats. no more
cOntOTtiOns and other stunts that the
people are so fond OF Witnessing"
Dunk" the elephant too, had heard
the news. Well I've been eating pea
Rllts and other delicacies for nearly half
a century" he said Altogether. I
reckon I've eaten enough OF this truck
70 start an ordinary delicatessen store.
And furthermore, II the supply is cut of,
why, I'm going 10 quit. That's all
Whether Dunk meant to quit eating
OF quit living remains 20 be seen. He
certainly has no other job 70 lie down on.