The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-08
THE PRIESTS LEARNED LIZARD.
a Small Green Sauria that Showed
Remarkable Intelligence.


Remarkable Intelligence.
From the ST. Louis Globe Democrat.
NEW ORLEANS, June 24-Upon the
Office table Of a prominent physician of
this city lies a little green lizard, with
bright bead eyes, which guard the papers
on the desk, and is subject to little story
the doctor is very fond of telling. THAT
| tiny creature" the doctor said, which is the
object of one of the most silliest and ground
| less prejudices the humane race cherishes
from generation TO generation, was the de-
voted and solitary friend of a dying man,
showing an intelligence and love which
would be considered remarkable in dog.
ut was while spending a mouth in the
little town of Las Cruces, n. NJ, that |
| made the acquaintance of Catholic priest,
Father Minter, who was dying of consump-
| tion, and no longer in service, but lingering
In that warm climate hoping to so prolong
bis life. He had no relatives in this country.
be was man of intelligence and wide in
formation, and l found his society most
pleasant. Visiting him one day, [ was
startled to see a little green head peeping at
me from under the priests pillow. Follow
ing my gaze the father held out his hand to
the lizard, which Struggled in it like kitten.
MY only friend, he said, and the
learned and accomplished Mons. Vert-Mr.
Green. Now, you must show the gentle
man what you can do, Mr.. Green
HE here produced little ladder made of
straw, which the lizard mounted at a word
of command, and then descended, carrying
of the ladder on its back to the box in
which it was kept. Then being hidden, it
brought out miniature wine glass Mon
sieur Vert has bad habits, said the father.
He is a TOPPER at which the little creature
pretended to drain the glass. and when its
master continued, He can't walk straight
began to wobble from side to side In a way
that made me laugh most heartily. There
is but one end for drunkards' produced
sudden 1ounce over on its back, a stiffening
of the queer little feet, and the Door topper
was presumably dead. Only one twinkling
eye kept watch on US to see what effect the
scene would have. Father Minter pre-
tended TO weep, when Mons. Vert jumped
up, and, running to him, crept into his
hand.
Now, you must tell us the dearest
country in the world, said the priest. One
rap Of the tail shall mean Mo- and more
than me Yes" Now, then, Germany
perhaps TurkeyP Another single rap.
We'll, say France? No! Then perhaps
England" At this the lizard rolled over
aud repeated the lying dead performance,
but when its master called, How about
lrelandF it turned again and beat a regular
tattoo with its tail. so that S it. Mons.
Vert. But what have you to say of the
United Statesp The lizard expressed its
enthusiasm by turning q slow and most i'm
pressive somersault. That ended the per-
Torrance, which had / not witnessed l
would not have credited it, but Father
Miuter assured me that it had not been the
trouUle to train the little creature that it
was 10 teach tricks to q dog.
THE lizard made its home somewhere
outside the priests window, but spent most
of It's time running or sleeping on its ledge,
and would often lie for hours watching its
friend. When he grew too weak to play
with IL, it would creep INTO his hand and
never stir until be would command it to go
home, when it would start perhaps a dozen
times, only to return and try and steal back
to him. The day the priest died it could
not be induced to leave him for a moment,
and when he had breathed his last | had to
remove the poor thing from his cold fingers.
| meant to adopt the lizard for my own,
but it fell victim, on the day Of its mas
ter's funeral, to the foolish prejudice l
spoke of. An attendant, seeing the little
creature crawling about the couch where
its dead friend lay. knocked it off and
killed it with broom, but l had it pre-
served"