Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-04-23
Selected Mlisrellanp.
THE GORILLA,S LOVE STORY.

MY article on the origin of the human
species had been months in preparation.
Much of the fame which I have since
secured by its publication in that widely
circulated magazine, the Isteroce0nic
Monthly, is due to the fact that spent
weeks in deep investigations in ethnolog-
ical sciences, comparing results, and espe-
cially examining the points of resemblance
which exist in the brute creation and the
nobler race of man. To say thatI utterly
overthrew the Darwinian theory, and
quite demolished the tribe of pretanders
who have since attempted to initiate that
great apostle of error, may not be strictly
in accordance with modesty, but hosts of
candid friends will admit that it is strictly
true. know very well that, though MY
untiring labors in the cause of science are
not yet thoroughly appreciated, an admir-
ing posterity will dwell with delight on
the name of Samuel Simcox as the bene-
factor OF his race, who showed where that
race had its birth, and from what primi-
tive element it sprang. For further par
tlculars see the Ipter0ceGnic Monthly for
June, 49,.
My favorite haunt during the progress
of my article was Coriander's menagerie /;
having resolved that this should be the
master-p piece of my life, I spared neither
labor nor expense upon it, and actually
procured season ticket to the menagerie
and passed many pleasant hours in watch
ing the wild animals, studying their habits
anu drawing many valuable conclusions
from their points of resemblance and diff
ference. Consequently, though the apes
and monkeys had furnished me with an
lnexnaustible fund of amusement and in
terest, was delighted beyond measure
when 1T was announced that Coriander
had secured live gorilla for his collection
OF wild beasts. An agent had been dis
patched to Africa and had sent home.
with great secrecy, a real live specimen of
this dreadful beast; and SO well had All the
negotiations been kept that nobody knew
OF what was being done until the monster
was fairly Gagged and on exhibition at Cori-
ander's menagerie. entered with zest
upon study of the creatures habits and
peculiarities; and while the idle curiosity
OF mere wonder mongers kept vast crowd
about the cage wherein the furious beast
was confined, calmly surveyed it from q
safe distance and made my scientific obser.
vations for the benefit of mankind. And
when vulgar wonder at the strange beast
had somewhat subsided, and l could get
nearer the cage and watch the gorilla, ]
was more and more impressed with the
human traits which / discovered in the
extraordinary animal His manner of re.
clining was, though impish, half human
and his grotesque gait, as he sprang from
side to side of his narrow prison, was sug-
gestive of his suggestions congener-
man; even his terrible howl, which rent
the air of the museum constantly, had q
human shade of sound.
One rainy day, when the great hall of
the museum was unusually vacant of visi-
tors, almost leaned against the cage in
my eager watch of the movements of the
gorilla. fancied him roaming his native
African jungles, the terror of every living
thing, or rearing, with a strange and gro
tesque solitude, his young family. Iwon-
dered how much akin to human love and
hate were the passions that ragged beneath
that hairy breast, and how much of real
feeling was in the loud and anguished
howl that occasionally burst from those
tang-Eke jaws. Thus speculating, l drew
lncautiously near the bars of the cage
Wnere the monster restlessly paced up
ana Gown, and was inexpressibly startled
at leehng his hot breath on my cheek
Wnlle from his huge hairy lips cane the
sound" Sami J" l actually jumped with
astonisnment, whereupon the creature be-
seemingly said: "Hush, hush, for Heay.
ems sake do not leave mel" mastering
courage enough to ask him what all thi:
meant the gorilla answered: at am your
oid friend, Jack Gale; don't leave me-"
90 Corlanders famous gorilla was none
oS6er than my old crony, Jack Gale.