An Elephants Emotion.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2896, 11 February 1893, Page 2

An Elephants Emotion.

Some rf the European newnpppera are. C< telling a truly veracioua story t>{ th« sagacity of a trained elephant which adorn* '\ a French travelling show. The proprietor uf the circun Hnuouncdd that on a certain. ' night his elephant would play the "Run- 7 t»idn Hymn "on a piano with his trunk. ''■ Intents. interest was aroused and when the evening camo the expectant public crowded the circuit to the roof. After the . usu»l performances four men carried in * . cottage pi«no, which they placed in the >; centre of the arena. Then the intilligent ''-«• animal was brought in, puraded with mach dignity three times around the ring, Mid then, Amid the keenest excitement, advanced to the pi tno. With a movement of his trunk he touched tne keyboard, but hardly had he done so when a surprising change cams over him. He trembled with fear and rage, waved his trunk in the air, and then with a scream of terrorruabed nut of the arena. There was a great hurrying to and fro of employees, and the circus proprietor and the elephant keeper left the ring for consultation, In a few minutes the proprietor returned and announced with regret that the oerformance could not take place. The fact was, he Baid, that the elephant had recognised i$ the keyboard of the instrument a portion -j of the tusks of his Ling-lost mother, who had fallen a prey to the ivoey hunters of Africa. He had suggested to the keeper ' that another pitmo might be procured, ' ' but the expert had informed him the elephant was so overcome with emotion that it would be impossible for it to perform that evening. Under these circumstances he suggested that the . " Russian Hymn," followed by the *' Marsoillase," Bhould be played by the band. The entertainment was thus brought to a close amid the frantic applause of ' the audience.—Cincinnati "Commercial Gazette."