Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-10
midas SACRED MONKEYS.
They Are . Pest, but They Must Not BE
Killed-Monkey Heroism.

They Are . Pest but They Must Not BE
Killed-Monkey Heroism.
Au English gentleman who has lived MANY
years in India tells some queer stories about
the sacred monkeys that are great nuisance
in some parts of that country. Saws the New
York Times: No one is allowed to modest them.
They run about the streets, help themselves to
whatever they please at the shops, rob orchards
and gardens, and play havoc generally. To
thrash them is regarded as . misdemeanor,
and to shoot monkey might cause a second
mutiny.
The gentleman had garden where grew de-
licious fruits. The sacred monkeys easily
scaled the walls and helped themselves They
were not content with simply eating, but
amused themselves with throwing half-munched
fruit at each other. To shoot these pests was
out OF the question and to hit them with stones
was impossible, as they easily lodged any mis-
sile that might be thrown at them An idea
struck the Englishman one day and he at once
proceeded to carry it into effect with great sue
cess. He got a large basket Of the largest pota-
toes that were to be found and had them boiled.
When they were scalding hot he had basket and
potatoes placed under one of the trees. The
monkeys were watching these movements from
the trees. Presently every monkey seized hot
potato, and then followed the most unearthly
never let 60 any article Of food that he once
get hold Of, even if he has to die, and these
monkeys, true to their nature, would not drop
the hot potatoes. They held them in one hand
and then in the other, and then they would take
bite and scald their mouths and roll in the
dust writhing with pain but never letting the po-
tatoes once out Of their grasp. They ate up the
potatoes and then disappeared over the walls
and never returned.
The Englishman once Witnessed Q very pa
thetic, as well as heroic. scene in one Of the
city squares in which the sacred monkeys were
the actors. He saw o number of monkeys
seated and standing in large circle, and Q fe-
male monkey hugging and wailing over the
dead body Of her baby that had Just been
killed by q cobra's bite. The other females
were trying to console her by caresses, while
the males appeared to be in earnest consulta-
ton among themselves In the center of the
circle was the large cobra that had inflicted the
fatal bite, coiled and with head erect, watching
the enemies by whom he was surrounded.
Suddenly young and athletic male monkey
sprang into the arena. he carefully approached
the cobra, which prepared itself to strike. The
monkey made few passes, and Just - the
snake was about to dart its head be sprane "a
one side, and then over the cobra. This was re-
peated so often and with such astounding rapid
ity that the cobra became bewildered, when
proceeded to crush its head to Jelly by rub
bling it on the ground with all his might Tx
snake tried to free itself by coiling around the
monkeys neck, but in vain; its struggles be-
came weaker and weaker until life was extinct
When the snakes head bad been reduced to {
shapeless mas the young simiAn hero dropped
the cobra and executed series of hops and
somernults.
Up to that moment the other monkeys had
maintained the most anxious silence, Watching
every movement Of the combatants with cages
interest The snakes death, however, was The
G1Gna1 for the most Joyous chatterineB and gam
bols. They took hold Of the conqusrer Of The
snake, pattsd him on tbs heAd, scratched hi
back, danced around him, and gave every mani
festatioa Of thslr great appreciation q his yal
erous eahigvemenk ThS peer mo1hsg saexist