Paul Shoup

“ While Uncle Abner told his story, the sheriff sat on the door-step, his official dignity struggling with his sense of humor until he was red in the face. The deputy stood by impatiently, with photographs in his hand.
"Pretty good elephant, that, I should say," he remarked, sententiously. "The biggest chap is so beloved in Arkansas that the Governor will give fifteen hundred dollars to see him again, an' t'other fellow is such a remarkable hand with hosses that the State of Missoury owes a thousand to the man that brings him back. Pretty good elephant, that, I should say," he repeated. ”

“ So busy were they with their speculations concerning the horses that it was not until they were well down the road that they observed Gunga Din over in the pasture beneath the one big oak tree in the whole township. He stood there quiet, with drooping ears, his huge body almost touching the tree's lower limbs. Nearby, the ponies were grazing.
Uncle Abner peered hard at the tree.
"Well, I swan!" he exclaimed. "Gosh all hemlock, if there ain't two men in the tree!" ”

“ The family had bought no store clothes that season, and in the pinch of economy Uncle Abner had discontinued taking the Washita County Clarion, to which he had been a subscriber since he helped organize the county, fourteen years before. However, no particular misfortune had befallen them during the season of rainless skies, until that day, and the margin of fifty dollars had made the family a cheery one at breakfast. Aunt Ellen, wiping her hands on her apron, had said cheerfully as he turned from the door:
"We'll be monopolists yet, Abner." ”

“ The two ponies are five years old and perfectly sound. Gunga Din is old enough and knows enough to vote, and if you don't think him in perfect condition, watch him eat.
"This the three will do: With clowns on their backs, the ponies start to race with Gunga Din. They gain on him, but as they pass he reaches out with his trunk and lifts the riders from the backs of the ponies to his own. Here they must remain until the ponies pass him a second time, when he replaces the riders upon their backs. So well grounded is Gunga Din in this trick that he will perform it under any circumstances ”

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“ Eh? Yes, we tried to slide from here, too, but the lop-eared pirate is as ugly as ever. We're plumb played out—no fight left in us. If you'll get us out of his reach, you can do what you please."
Uncle Abner stood a moment, reflecting.
"George and Tom,” he said, directly, "you get on the white ponies and head for town past Robinson's. Now, you idiots up there, drop down on the elephant's back—no hesitatin' now—and the procession will move. I'll tell mother as we go by to bring the hosses into the lot till we can send word. ”