The Washington herald., 1909-08-09

II Dunk" ever allowed himself 10 be
permeated with any jungle variety Of
ennu which might be assumed 20 be the
normal and necessary failing IN aristo-
Gratis Of his type-if Dunk" had any
thing else In this wide world 10 do ex-
cept to be as ornamental and amiable as
the diplomatic corps-it Is quite certain
that his host OF friends and admirers
would not deem it necessary TO journey
out to the Washington Zoo every Sabbath
day.
Dunk" has every incentive TO sink into
the depths OF boredom. but ne never
does. Many would freely forgive him If
he betrayed any philosophic detachment
toward the unchanging human show
which continually passes before his ex-
perienced Orbs. But Dunk" can come TO
the front with more lively and benevo-
lent interest in folks than his neighbors.
and consequently he has never had the
least trouble about being popular. 1t Is
/ appropriate that so keen and able a
politician should center his operations In
Washington. which is paradise for poll
ticlans.
Yet despite this smiling exterior, life
has been very hard on Dunk" A sin
ister fate has pursued him When very
young he was lured out OF the jungle to
make a circus holiday. He protested
against this degradation, as any self
respecting elephant would But his over
flow Of good nature soon caused him 10
make the best Of what was never really
bad. lie found the circus life lots OF
fun, and long held the proud reputation
OF being the most alert, willing, and
agreeable animal ia the huge caravan.
A Reward OF Merit.
The years passed. an Dunk grew old.
and was not able to avoid the usual in
firmities OF age. But he never became
grabbed or irritable. He lost flesh and
became nervous. thus earning the con-
tempt Of the younger and more vigorous
elephants. At this period the owners OF
the circus decided he was no longer fitted
for their way OF life. and yet, 50 good a
/ performer had he been, the Inevitable
fate of elephants past the working age
was not melted out 10 him. He escaped
/ the DR.. Osler treatment.
He was presented by one OF the circus
men 10 the Washington Zoo. where he
was TO enjoy a liberal pension under the
/ civil service provisions for sUperannuated
/ employees. Dunk announced his retire
ment from the stage sorrowfully, not at
/ all confident that he could cultivate an
elegant and Uneventful leisure. He was
unprcpared for the worst shock 70 come,
/ however, for the terrors Of Punishment
| from his kind and exile from the ele-
plant world he did not know.
| He was handsomely established at the
Zoo. all by MS lonesome He was des-
peratoly lonely. and became morbid and
stoical and dangerous. Then ne shook
of the abnormal mood and became his
old optimistic self, as full OF smiles as
a Chinese laundry7nan. he found him
self the popular pet. and basked In the
sunlight of public approval
He Is always friendly, always willing
70 listen 10 a tale Of woe. always sympa-
thetic and benevolent. He is a charter
member OF the Optimist Club. But with
all his kind heartedness, he is solitary
and forsaken. and confinement in his old
age IS telling on him fast. So confined Is
he that when ne desires to exercise he is
compelled 10 resort 10 calisthenics.
Old Age Is COnquering.
HIS skin is changing from its natural
color 10 a reddish bronze. There are
many points about his ample elephantine
curves where there is a swagging and IN
canny concave effect. He IS actually
growing thin and scrawny. He is rheu-
matte and equity. and his Joints are be-
ginning to creak There are times when
he sways uncertainty on his substantial
props. when a curious weakness IN the
knees attacks him. and he knows not
whittier he goes.
Dunk is old, and there are some who
say that If his years were counted up.
they would make an eloquent tribute 20
elephant longevity. Dunk" himself would
resent any intimation that he is not one
Of the 1--we wires at the Zoo. A mortal
Insult was hurled at him the other day.
One unfeellng observer said that Dunk"
reminded him OF De Wolf Hopper's pet
in Wang" which was the sorriest imita-
ton OF a stuffed elephant ever trotted
before the footights. His only re-
semblance to Dunk" was that he was
not phlegmatic or apathetic.
If he were only in good health he
would be one OF the jolliest foxy grand
pas In the realm OF elephants since the
days Of Jumbo. His reputation has
spread TO the monkey cage, where the
population is jealous Of his popularity.
and the humorous wrestling bears often
gossip about him. He Is the only In
habitant OF the Zoo without a mate. or
many friends and neighbors. Possibly
in his dOtage a mate may be provided for
him. Possibly Bwana Tumbo viii bring
him one from Africa. At any rate. there
are hosts who swear by him among the
patrons OF the Zoo, and until he IS called
to another happy hunting ground Dunk"
will not have any trouble about being
comfortable and well cared for
RITES E0p w u pAcAH