Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-14
4 TALE OF TWO monkeys.
The Almost Human In diligence Displayed
by Couple of Darwinian Descendants.

pam trees wave anu sway gracefully
in the morning breeze, where the beasts
of the field roam in their pristine free
dom, unacquainted with man even in
these latter days, and bright birds of
varieties unknown to science MARBLE
their songs as fearlessly and joyOuSly
as on the morn of their creation. 1t
is 2 spot of unusual wild beauty and
splendor.
The river, which flows in an almost
direct course from miles above. here
makes q sweeping curve, and by con-
slant friction has widened its bed into
a crescent-shaped pool, resembling a
miniature lake. Except this slight
physical change, it has remained almost
the same since the beginning.
The waters, which hurry breathlessly
along before reaching this point, pause
and seem TO sink into peaceful repose
here. Indeed. so smooth and tranquil
is the stream that it cannot be seen to
move at all, and it lies as quiet and
restful as the waters of a mountain lake.
Soft-tinted lilies and aquatic plants Of
divers descriptions float on its bosom,
and graceful swans swim gently among
them.
At midday the warm rays of the sun
are reflected from the center OF its
glossy surface, illuminating the edges
Of the dense woods, which bound it
with 4 lambent, fascinating light, and
at night the effect of the moonlight on
the still water IS beautiful beyond de-
scription.
At the lower end Of this expanded
part Of the river, the waters, refreshed
by their long rest, trip playfulIy over
the stony bed and 90 hurrying away
on their course with a merry, ripping
laugh. The valley of this river is ev-
erywhere thickly studded with trees,
and in many places the stream is al
most choked by coarse weeds and trOp-
zeal plants, while its banks are over
grown with brambles and the huge
tangled grass Of the jungle.
1t was in the verge of the forest.
around which the river sweeps, in sight
Of the placid pool, and within sound of
the musical rapids, it seems, that an
old monkey, wife, and twin sons lived
It few hundred thousand years ago.
Between these two sons, it is said, there
was Il marked difference.
Several old female monkeys who
were in attendance at their birth no.
ticcd and commented on the fact. even
AZ that early day, that one of the in
fants was very quiet and gentle, while
tie other was exceedingly restless and
fretful, and as they increased in size,
these traits Of character became more
noticeable. The one which was by
several minutes the older grew more
quiet and more easily satisfied, and his
brother became more restless and hard
er to suit.
The younger one would eat nothing
but the very best cOcOanutand the very
sweetest tid-bits. while the other ate
whatever was given him without com
plant, although he often received very
inferior food, because his brother must
have the best.
When the quantity Of food ran short,
as was frequently the case, the elder
twin often went supperless, because the
younger one insisted on eating all there
was. But the other brother never muir
INJURED at this, for he was easily satisfied
with anything or with nothing.
In time these two infant monkeys de-
veloped into boy monkeys, and then
into youths. 1t was then that the
younger one, who had never been con
tent to loll dreamily on the grass, or
wander aimlessly up and down the
river, chasing butterflies and gathering
wild flowers like his brother, who never
sat, like him, hours together admiring
the lovely lilies and graceful swans,
but who was always climbing about in
the trees, hanging by his tail from the
topmost boughs. or going with his
father in search Of food, resolved to
leave his peaceful home and 90 out into
the wide world to seek his fortune. The
secluded country life, he said, might
suit his brother, but for his part he was
sick and tired of it,
So he babe them all farewell and
wandered forth. It is needless for me
to tell of all his journeyings. He had
many hard struggle and often wished
he had remained at home. But at last
ne fell in with a colony of monkeys
with whom he soon gained q reputa-
ton for push and energy, and was at
last chosen their leader. But this did
not satisfy him. These monkeys were,
after all, only common people, and
though he could boast of no noble blood
himself, he longed to 90 among the
aristocratic chimpanzees. So among
them he went. For Il while he was only
met with derision, but at last the CHM
panzees, seeing he was not to be re-
pressed, concluded to befriend him.
By an act of heroic bravery, the exact
nature of which [ have been unable to
ascertain, this active young monkey
won the esteem of the kings daughter,
to whom he was eventually married.
and with whom he lived happily ever
after. He became the father of son,
who in turn welded a noble chimpan-
zee maiden, and their child was named
Man-of whom Darwin has written.
The contented twin brother lived and
died at their old home on the banks Of
the river.
An active public life, he used to say,
may suit my brother, but for my part
l prefer to investigate the wonderful
and beautiful things around me and
study nature.
Except a little poetry on ''The Beau
ties of Nature Treatise on the Men
tai Habits of the Angle Worm" he left
behind him only race OF very inferior
but contented monkeys, who occupy
the old home in Central Africa to this
day.
/ do not claim the above to be au-
thentic history. Nor do 1 consider it
even highly credible tradition, but [
believe it contains a moral which. as
near as I can make out, is this: Con-
tent is not always blessing, and dis
content is not always curse. Cj1ct,7-
ndti Commercial
Beechef's Drummer.