The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-16


elevated her trunk, extended her
snout, and in words as plain as she
could utter, begged for a little peanut,
or one Of the juicy apples which her
friend held in it's hands.
This animal, thought The Age-Her-
aid, Is the animal for the ZOO.
Owner of the Elephant
Thereupon an effort was made to
purchase the elephant. The manager
of the show, when questioned. shook
his head and pointed mysteriously to
the west. After repeated efforts, all of
which at first seemed unavailing, it
was learned that the elephant in ques-
ton was not the property of the show,
but was simply leased, because of her
beautiful tricks, her clever accomplish
ments, and her gentleness. simply
leased for $50 much per month"
The Age-Herald. however, was not
to be thwarted. So the real owner was
found. He discussed the matter from
many angles. He didn't like the idea
of disposing of the elephant. .-She was
declared to be the most valuable in
America. AS matter of fact, this
owner despite his love of dollars loved
the elephant. And he had little boy
who loved the elephant.
But finally The Age-Herald told him
that there were thousands of little
boys and girls in Birmingham who had
taken a fancy to the elephant and
loved her already. And the owner
was moved.
Former Owner Distressed
Take good care of her." he finally
said after the bargain had been COM
pleted "See that she is fed regular
ly and watered and exercised, kept
cool in the heat of the summer and
warm in the cold of winter
Some say that when the deal was
made the former owner wiped a little
tear from his eye. but probably he
would deny this-and we had better
not repeat it, AT any rate, he added
another word:
her. She requires that consideration.
Unless she is loved by the little fell
lows, unless they feed her their pea
nuts, unless they climb upon her back
and seat themselves all over her broad
flank as she reposes, her heart will
turn sick, and she will die"
All these things were promised, and
the elephant was brought to Birming-
ham. From a housetop went out a
loud voice:
Come, children of Birmingham,
and receive your elephant. Her name
is Fancy"
After Mr.. Money Bags
That is how it all came about. The
lady elephant was escorted by scores
of children to her future home at
Avondale park, and there she is to-
day. AS result renewed interest has
been centered in the zoo. There are
plans on foot now to interest Mr..
Money Bags of Birmingham. A camel
is needed. More monkeys are needed.
Cages with iron bars must be con-
structed for the reception of the king
of the jungle when he comes, and the
big, terrible tiger. with his ever switch
ing tail, and his long, beautiful teeth
which CRATE the one upon the other;
the leopard which crouches in his home
of steel, dreaming, perhaps, of the :
days in the wilds when he crawled
upon the preserves of timid deer. and
with a leap through the air and a
soundless fall on cushioned feet, Sc
cured a luscious feast for Mrs, Leop-
ard and the little leopards.
All of these things are planned. Bir-
mingham is destined to have zoo,
and all because the children of Bir-
mingham have found out the mex
pressible pleasure which lies in the
possession of Miss Fancy.
And this is not the only reason.
The men of Birmingham. Mr.. Money
Bags, if you please, is beginning to
realize that 1t is more valuable to
make a child laugh as result OF