During the performance the white elephant would be introduced and
stripped of its velvet trappings on the elevated stage between the two
rings, while a learned "professor" descanted eloquently on opposition
in general and the genuineness of this white elephant in particular. So
well was this part of the program carried out that popular opinion was
at least equally divided regarding the genuineness of the competing
white elephants. Long afterward the "lecturer" told me that this white
elephant, having learned to recognize and like him, would endeavor to
salute him by rubbing up against him after the manner of elephants. Had
the animal succeeded, the effect would have been to leave white marks
on the black coat of the lecturer, who had all he could do to continue
his lecture and at the same time dodge the friendly advance of the
white elephant. About the middle of the season, after getting all the
benefit they could out of the white elephant war, Barnum and his rival
came to an amicable understanding, and divided territory with each
other, and the "Light of Asia" was withdrawn.
The following winter it was given out that the animal had taken cold
and died in Philadelphia, but there are plenty of showmen who aver that
the animal is as lively and healthy as ever, though wearing black
instead of chalky white. A somewhat significant fact regarding this
fake was that during the previous summer its owners had been annoyed on
arrival in various towns to find an opposition sideshow, with its
canvas already up. It belonged to an Englishman whose sole attraction
was a yellow horse. No one had ever heard of a yellow horse before, and
the farmers for miles around came in and eagerly paid ten cents to see
this wonder. The animal was not particularly beautiful, but was
certainly a bright yellow, as were also the hands of his master. In
fact, there was no doubt but that its owner had rubbed the animal well
with yellow ochre. The proprietor of the "Light of Asia" paid the show
a visit and laughed heartily at the deception. After looking at the
horse a little while, he remarked to its owner: "Well, if you can turn
a gray horse yellow, you should be able to turn an elephant white."
What happened afterward I am unable to say, but, singular to relate,
the following spring, when the "Light of Asia" was "imported," a
special trainer was brought with it from Siam who gave the animal his
exclusive care and attention. This trainer was an Englishman, and many
of the circus attaches thought they had seen the man exhibiting the
yellow horse.
In 1883, while passing down the Bowery in New York, I heard my name
loudly shouted. Turning around I met an English showman who was just
then managing one of the many dime museums then established in that
thoroughfare.
"Come inside, Mr. Coup," said he, "and I will show you my latest."
"Your latest what?" said I.
"Fake," he answered. "These freaks want too much money, and are nearly
played out, anyway, so I'm making fresh ones now."