The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-04-22
Gelefte0 Hlisrellanp.
THE GORILLA,S LOVE STORY.

MY article on the origin of the human
species had been months in preparation.
Much of the fame which l have since
secured by its publication in that widely
circulated magazine, the Interoceanic
Monthly, is due to the fact that l 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 that utterly
sverthrew the Darwinian theory, and
quite demolished the tribe of pretenders
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 we'll 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
ticulars see the InterOcednic Monthly for
June, 1S-.
My favorite haunt during the progress
of my article was Coriander's menagerie !;
having resolved that this should be the
master piece of my life, 1 spared neither
labor nor expense upon it, and actually
procured season ticket to the enaoerie
and passed many pleasant hours in watch
ing the wild animals, studying their habits
and drawing many valuable conc, usions
from their points of resemblance and diff
ference. Consequently, though the apes
and monkeys had furnished me with an
inexhaustible fund of amusement and in
terest, | was delighted beyond measure
when it 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, 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
peculiarties; 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 a
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 | could get
nearer the cage and watch the gorilla,
was more end more impressed with the
human traits which | discovered in the
extraordinary animal His manner of re-
clining was, though impisb, half human ;
and bis gr0tesque gait, as ne sprang from
side to side of his narrow pr ison, was sug-
gestive of his suppositious congener-
man even his terrible howl, which rent
the air Of the museum constantly, had a
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 strange and gro
tesque solitude, his young family. won
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
fang-hke jaws. Thus specializing, drew
lncautlously near the bars of the cage
where the monster restlessly paced uI
and down, and was inexpressibly startled
at feeling his hot breath on my chceb
while from his huge hairy lips came the
sound" SAM" actually jumped with
astonishment, whersupon the creature be
seechingly said "Hush, hush, for Heay
ems sake do not leave mew Musterins
courage enough TO ask him what all thil
meant the gorilla answered: "I am you1
old friend, Jack Gale; don't leave me.p
SO Corianders famous gorilla was non,
other than my old crony, Jack Gale.