Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

Howe’s circus was showing at Indianola when the storm of the fourth came on, and because of injury to the railroads was compelled to remain there until the track was temporarily repaired. Then the circus started for their next place of exhibition. When about eight miles out one corner of a bridge gave way, and three cars containing animals ran off the track and turned over into the mud, very gently. The first car contained horses, the second an elk and camel; the other three the five elephants. The small animals were easily liberated, but the elephants were all in a heap. To remove them the car was cut away, exposing the tops of the unwieldy animals backs. Then was exhibited the intelligence which marks these half-human brutes. They obeyed every command of the keeper, crawling on their knees, turning on their sides, squirming like eels, and assuming more wonderful and novel positions than were described on the showbills. When released from their perilous position there was not a scratch upon them, and no school-boy ever gave more emphatic expressions of relief from confinement than did those elephants. They trumpeted, swayed back and forth, and did everything but talk. The remaining distance to the city was made overland, and a happier crew never started on a march than were those animals. The cool, breezy atmosphere and the bright moonlight were all-inspiring. As the bridges were gone, at each stream the elephants took fresh enjoyment of their liberty. At no time were they obstinate or disobedient, but seemed to fully realize the situation. On arriving at DesMoines railroad cars had to be procured, which was not easily done, as ordinary cars are too low. Some were finally found which were about one inch higher than the elephant’s back. They were brought alongside and the platform properly placed, when Jack noticed that it was a strange car, seized the doorframe with his trunk, gave it a vigorous shake and then tried the floor. Satisfied that it was strong he marched slowly into the car, placed himself lenthwise, gave a rocking motion and humped his back. A bolt overhead hit his back, and he marched straight out of the car. “It’s no use,” said the keeper, “he won’t go back there again.” The ribs which support the roof were removed, the elephants closely watching the operation. When this was done Jack went in, swayed himself, rocked the car, humped his back, found everything all right, trumpeted his satisfaction and went on eating.-Davenport, [Ill.] Tribune.