Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-07-17
TRADING FOR TUSKS.
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O~O~O~O~ON-~~~-~~~~~~@
The New York geological Society
has recently received the longest ele-
plant tusl1s known to have come from
living elephant One of them is elev-
en- and a half feet, the other eleven
feet long, and the combined weight
amounts to two hundred and ninety
thre pounds. Formerly owned by King
Menelik, they were presented by him
to a French official and have now
found their way to the United States.
That ivory tusks, even Of much small
er dimensions, are not always easy TO
get is shown by an incident told by Mr..
Hardwick in "An Ivory Trader"
Mr.. Gardwick and his company had
been staying in small African vii
lage, on the lookout for ivory. Disap-
pointed in their search, they were
about to start on, when their move
ments were delayed by the news that
native of a neighboring village had
tusk which he wished to sell. A ser
want was dispatched to fetch the own
er. He proved to be a very old, de-
crepit man, who tottered into Mr..
Hardwick's presence and indicated the
length of the tusk as six feet. He had
left 1t behind in his own village.
Every WELL" said Mr.. Hardwick.
'That seems a good length. How much
do you want for it?"
lone cow and three sheep"
"All right If the tusk is what you
represent it to be, we will give the
price asked But we must see 1t first. +"
The old man assented, and tottered
off, Two hours passed, and still did.
not reappear. Finally native, even
more ancient than the first, solemnly
seated himself in front of the tent and
announced that he had a tusk Of ivory
to sell. This was good news, indeed,
was the same as the one previously
bargained for 1t was explained that
the owner had already called and
closed the trade.
"Oh, no." replied the aged native
THAT was not the owner. That was
young man sent to bargain. 1 am
the owner. 1 want a COW and four
sheep. Like all young men, the other
was rash, and exceeded his instruc-
tions. 1t is a beautiful tusk.'
After a long, heated discussion, the
first price was agreed upon. The party
was anxious to start the next day, and
the old man promised to bring the tusk
early In the morning.
No one appeared until midday. Then
a depuation of elders turned up, lead
ing a withered skeleton, which proved
to be an extremely ancient native. This
fossil was carefully deposited in front
of Mr.. Hardwick, and announced itself
as the owner Of the tusk come to ar
range the price.
What" cried Mr.. Hardwick. "Is
this tusk owned by a syndicate? We
have already bargained for it twice"
The fossil declared til t he was the
real owner; the other two were only
friends. His price was one good COW
and three sheep with lambs.
After a weary discussion, Mr.. Hard
wick yielded, and the deputation de
parted, carrying the fossil with them.
The tusk was promised the next day
by sunrise.
Again the party waited, impatient
to start. At noon a servant was sent
to the next village who, on his return,
reported that the old man had run
away and hidden his tusk. 1t was
only after the delay Of another day
native helper Of Mr.. Hardwick sue
ceeded in securing the tusk, which was
fair-sized one, weighing about fifty
pounds.