THE WHITE ELEPHANT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 131, 3 June 1878, Page 4

THE WHITE ELEPHANT.

The story of the proverbial "white elephant" is thus told by a contributor to the Asburtoa Echo: — Two brothers, very fond of each ol,her, left college together, one of them became a clergyman, the other joined the army and was in due time with his regiment in India. The two brothers had separated thirty years, when the clergyman received > letter from his brother saying that he had seat him the most valuable present he could find in India, but did not say what it was.

The name of ihe ship was given, and as goon as (he notice of her arrival was announced, the Rev. Frederick' posted down to London (20 miles or so), and boarded the Indiatnan, all anxiety to Bee the value of ihe present ha was to receive. His attention was drawn, »s he got on board, to a large framework erecfed on the main hatch, containing an immense white elephant ; but he never for one moment supposed his brother bad sent him this, so he was contented with admiring the huge animal, until the second officer of the ship spoke to him and remarked how docile the elephant was. By chance his name ss the consignee was mentioned, and the rev. gentleman for a moment stood aghast. "My dear sir, that's me !' he at last broke out in a cry almost of agony, "My brother's ijono stark, staring mad !" " Where am lio keep that monster ?" Valuable preßent, is it ?" Half-an-hour of exclainatione, eomei of them not strictly clerical, somewhat relieved the-gentle-ma u's mini', and he was able to converse pretty rationally about the removal of his prize from the ship. The keeper was consulted, and at last it was decided to take the eleptmut home uml locate him in tho eoach-honse for a time uiuil he could be sold. This was accordingly done and everything seemed tolerably satisfactory. The morning after the elephant had arrived however told a different tale, It was October, the fruit was ripe, and the cottage lay among gardene. The elephant, so long at sea could not resist the temptation of a few apples, and when the clergyman and Martha, bis uoußekeeper, went to see tho "gentle creature" in the morning he was gone; the coach-house out on one side; the bricks piled up quite artistically; and the elephant nowhere. Alarmed at the new development, the old gentleman was through the hedge like a Will-o'-the Wisp, on the trail. What a wreck was left through garden and parterre may be imagined. Fruit trees demolished, flower beds trodden down, hedges gapped, one summer-house turned over, and fifty boys with bate full of apples sharing the spoils. Half a mile of garden, ground had been explored, and trees twenty years old, in full bearing, were torn in pieces. At last tho keeper got the elephant home; not, however, until the reverend owner had broken his cone and half a huudred other sticks over bis brother's present. It was nearly a week before a sale could be effected, and during that time the owner's property, und the four nearest establishments had gone to ruin. At laßt tho bargain was concluded, the " gentle creature " removed, and the " bill of costs '' totted up. One loiter concluded the transaction — " Dear Augustus — Tour present duly received. Many thanks. The horrid tliing l^s ruined me. Yourß truly — FBbDERICK."