"Oh, what a smart, good elephant!" cried the peanut man. "He saved my
wagon from burning up. I must give him some peanuts!"

A few of the peanuts were burned, but there were plenty left, and,
though some of them tasted a little like smoke, Tum Tum did not mind
that. He chewed several bags full--shells and all--and was hungry for
more.

But now it was time to go back into the circus tent, and have his
handsome blanket put on, to take his place in the procession. The boys,
one of whom had accidentally upset the peanut wagon, looked at Tum Tum
eagerly.

"Say, he's a smart elephant all right!" he cried.

"That's what he is!" said another. "I'd like to have him!"

"Huh! What would you do with an elephant?" asked his friend. "An
elephant would eat a ton of hay a day."

"Would he?"

"Sure he would."

"Well, then, I don't want an elephant," said the boy. "I guess a dog is
good enough for me. A dog can eat old bones; he doesn't need a ton of
hay a day."

The boys helped the peanut man turn his wagon right side up, and they
also helped him gather the scattered peanuts. Then the man built another
fire, and went around the tent, selling his peanuts.

"Tum Tum, you are getting smarter and smarter each day," said his
keeper, as he led him back to get ready for the parade. "I am proud of
you. You are the best elephant in the circus."

Tum Tum heard what was said of him, but he only flapped his big ears,
that were nearly the size of washtubs. Then he stood in line with his
companions, and ate the peanuts and popcorn balls the children fed to
him over the ropes.

"My, I s'pose Tum Tum will be so stuck up, and proud, that he won't want
to speak to us, after he has done so many wonderful things," said one of
the jealous elephants. "He pushed the wagon out of the mud, and now he
has put out a peanut wagon fire. Some elephants have all the luck in
this world."

Tum Tum's eyes twinkled, but he said nothing. He just ate the popcorn
balls and peanuts. But he was not at all proud or stuck up.

Tum Tum was now such a gentle and tame elephant, that children could
ride on his back. At first, some of the circus performers, who had their
children with them, let them get up on Tum Tum, and then, when his
keeper found that Tum Tum did not mind, some of the boys and girls who
came to see the show each day were allowed to ride. Up and down the tent
they went on Tum Tum's back, sitting in the little house that was
strapped fast to h