THE ELEPHANT AND THE BOY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 25, 21 June 1890, Page 19

THE ELEPHANT AND THE BOY.

CATO, an elephant belonging to a menagerie, was noted for his bad temper. He had killed three keepers, and crippled others. One afternoon, as the performance was about to begin, Cato broke loose from the post to which he was chained, and began to tear and smash things. Among the performers was a boy of eleven, named Scott. The elephant threw him from his horse, picked him up, held him hmh in air swung him backward and forward, and suddenly nut him down, caressed him for a moment, and then went on with his work of destiuction. One of the menagene men, knowing the nature of elephants, threw the driving-hook to Scott shouting, ‘ The beast will mind you !' The boy nicked up the hook, ran to the elephant, who was tearing up the benches, and called him off. Cato obeyed, followed the bov to the post, and allowed himself to be again chained to it J From that hour the boy had to lie the elephant s keeper. So attached was Cato to Scott that the lad had to sleep with the beast, and for three years was never out of his sight for four consecutive hours. He would take food and water from the other men, but if any one but Scott undertook to command him he would fly into a rage. While the menagerie was going from place to place Scott was taken sick, and had to be left with a nurse. Cato missed him at once, ami it was with difficulty that he was driven to the next town. During the show he was chained by the hind feet, and sulked all therafternoon. A suit of Scott’s clothes was placed before him, and he grew calmer ; but as soon as the menagerie moved, the beast, not finding Scott beside him, became angry, broke awav, upset three waggons, killed a horse and a camel, and then rushed into a piece of woods. All efforts to control him were futile, and after watching him for several days, during which he destioyed much property and blockaded'travel on the highway, it was determined to kill him. As he was very fond of apples, a man on horseback rode as near Cato as he dared to go and dropped in the road a basket of apples, several of which were filled with poison. In five minutes the elephant was eating them, and the next morning he was dead and stiff; but not for several weeks did they dare to break the news to the sick boy.