Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-08-14
OLD SERIES, VOL Is. NO. II
Monkey and Pitcher Plant.

Two brothers, Englishmen, were once tray.
elline on foot from Dondrn Head, the southern
extremity of the Island Of Ceyon, towards
Candy, in the interior. about one hundred
| and twenty miles rorthward. They started
| npon their Journey very early in the morning,
! and expected to accomplish it in three or
| four days; though as the sun is exceedingly
warm in that conntry, they intended to rest
during the heat of the day under the shade
of the many broad-leaved palm trees that
grew by the side of the road.
| They had travelled some distance hhen
the younger brother stopped aud gazing in-
quringiy around, said ...
81 surely heard cry. Robert as If some
ono wes hurt. Let US look and see what it
can be-" lie added, as q low moan distinctly
reached their ears it proceeded from group
| Of fcocoauut trees that grew on their righth hand.
The brothers sprang hastily bat cautiously
| forward, aud searched carefully around, til
at last the elder exclaimed, laughing:
Here il il, Arthur, come and see !" and
as his brother turned towards him, be pointed
to monkey which, havirg fallen from one
Of the branches of the fruit trees, had hurt
| himself very severely.
Poor fellow !" said Arthur and taking
! him up, he tore strip from his handkerchief
and bound the wounded limb, and then turned
to resume his journey With the monkey in
| his arms.
You surely" said Robert, "do not intend
! TO take that disgusting animal as your CON.
panon to Candy1"
| "Do you think" replied Arthur, "that l
would leave this poor helpless creature to die
Of his wound No he shall be my compan-
ion until he is cured, and then he may return
as soon as he likes to his home in the forest"
The two brothers Travelled on their way,
though the elder could not sometimes refrain
! from joking the other about his companion.
! They had journeyed two days, and were about
half way from their place of destination, when
! the heat became exceedingly oppressive, and
the numerous springs which had heretofore
| flowed along the side Of the road, became
dried up, and they began to suffer from tho
want OF water. Their strength was falling
! they felt as though they could proceed no
further; and on the morning Of the fourth
day, when within about thirty miles Of Candy,
/ 5oth brothers sunk down at the foot of n
! palm tree, exhausted and rarched with thirst.
| Must we die here ?" exclaimed Robert,
with groan.
Trust in God" replied Arthur, raising
his eyes towards Heaven.
Suddenly the monkey, who was resting by
his side, sprang up and ran eagerly along
the road as if he we're searching for some.
I
thur by the arm, endeavoged TO drag him
along with him.
How strangely he acts" said the young
man; what can he have found2' and sum.
monng all his strength he arose and followed
| the animal.
When he reached the spot, what met bis
delighted eyes? There, growing in luxuriant
abundance, was the silky, downy pitcher
plant, or monkey cup, so called on account
of its being sought after by those animals for
the purpose of quenchiug their thirst. The
flower is in the shape of cup, about six
inches in length, and one and half in diam
eter; it h9s a lid, which opens and shuts with
the changes of the weather aud is filed with
pure water, u secretion from the plant.
The two brothers drank Of the water, and
were refreshed and when they at last reach.
ed their home, they related to their aston.
ished friends how the monkey had been tho
means Of saving their lives.
Lord, how manifold are Thy works ia
wisdom hast Thou made them all"