The morning call., 1891-01-12
SACRED MONKEYS.

They Are Pest, but They Must Not BE
klIed-MOnkey Heroism.
An English gentleman who has lived
many years in India tells some queer stories
about the sacred monkeys that are a great
nuisance in some parts of that country. No
one is allowed TO modest them. They run
about the streets, help themselves to what
ever 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 4 second
mutiny.
The gentleman had garden where grew
delicious 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
nit them with stones was impossible as they
could easily dodge any missile that might
be thrown at them. An idea struck the
Englishman one day, aud be at once pro-
ceeded TO carry 1t into effect with great sue
cess He got large basket of the largest
potatoes 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
NEST unearthly screeeheS and gatherings
a monkey will never let go any article of
food that he once gets 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 a bite and
Scaid their mouths, and roll in the dust.
writhlng with pain, bat never letting the
potatoes once out of their grasp. They ate
up the potatoes and then disappeared over
the walls and never returned.
HE EngllSnman once witnessed q very
pathetic, as well as heroic, scene in one of
the city squares, in which the sacred mon
keys were the actors. He saw number OF
monkeys seated and standing in a large cir
Gle, and female monkey hugging aud wall
ing over the dead body of her baby, that
had just been killed by cobra's bite. The
other females were trying to console ner by
caresSes, while the males appeared to be in
earnest consultation among themselves. In
the center OF the circle was the large cobra
that had Indicted the fatal bite, coiled and
with head erect, watching the enemies by
whom he was surrounded.
Suddenly young and athletic male mon
key sprang into the arena. lie cheeriaiiy
approached the cobra, which prepared itself
to strike. The monkey made a few passes.
and lust as the snake was abnut TO dart Its
head he sprang to one side and then nyer
the cobri. This was repeated SO often aud
with such astounding rapidity that the cabrd
became bewildered, when the monkey seized
the snake by the neck and proceeded TO
crush its head to jelly by rubbing it on
the ground with all its might. The snake
tried TO free itself by colling around the
monkeys neck, but in vain its struggles
became weaker and weaker until life was
extinct When the snakes held had been
reduced to a Shapeless mass the young I'M
an hero dropped the cobra and executed
series of hops and somersaults.
Up to that moment the other monkeys
had maintained the most anxious silence,
watching every movement Of the combat
ants with eager interest. The snakes death,
however, was the signal for the most joyous
ehatteings and gamb0ls. Thoy took mold
of the conouer0r of the snake, patted him
on the head, scratched his back, danced
round him and gave every manifestation Of
their great appreciation OF his valorous
achievement. The poor mother carried
abont her dead baby for two days longer
N " Times