It is said that the sagacity and memory of the elephant exceed those of any other animal. This is very possible, as in the many cases reported the incidents bearing on these two particulars surpass those of other animals.
One of the recent stories related of an elephant's astuteness contains an element of doubt, but the comic side of it makes up for that delinquency. It seems that this particular native African was an attaché of a travelling circus, and part of his performance consisted in sitting on a stool in front of a piano and producing some hideous discords called music. One day, having hit the instrument heavier than usual, he irreparably smashed it. A new one was purchased, but when the elephant took his place on the stool as usual he absolutely refused to do his act and groaned very miserably. He was led out, and after a short time the manager entered with this excuse:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I regret that the disobedience of Jack has caused you a loss of pleasure; but unfortunately the poor fellow discovered that the ivory in the keys of the piano came from his mother's tusks, and he couldn't play for grief."
AFTER EXCITEMENT.
Farmer. "Come down with me. Jack, and I'll show you the cows."
Jack. "Hoh! Cows ain't exciting to anything but girls. If mamma'll put my red suit on me I'll go look at the bull."
WALLIE'S IDEA OF IT.
"Papa," said Wallie, "I wish you'd buy me a shovel. I get awfully thirsty in the daytime."