San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-07-02
A Remarkable Lizard.
Globe Democrat.

biOOCN DCLuOSl At
Upon the office table of q prominent
physician of New Orleans, lies a little
green lizard, with bright bead eyes,
which guards the papers on the desk,
and is the subject of q littl Q story the
doctor is very fond of telling. That
tiny creature, which is the object OF
one of the silliest and most ground
less prejudices the human race cher
ishes from generation to generation,
was the devoted and solitary friend
of q dying man, showing an intelli-
gence and love which would be CON-
sidered remarkable in q dog.
1t was while spending q month in
the little town OF Las Cruces, n. NJ.
that I made the acquaintance of .
Catholic priest, Father Minter, who
was dying of consumption, and no
longer in service. but lingering in
that warm climate hoping to so pro-
long his life. He had no relatives in
this country, and was perhaps as soli-
tary and friendless q human as exists.
He was a man of intelligence and
wide information, and 1 found his
society most pleasant. Visiting
him one day, 1 was startled
TO see a little green head
with queer google eyes peeping
at me from under the priests pillow.
Following my gaze, the father held
out his hand. to the lizard, which
snuggled in it like q kitten. "My
only friend" he said, land the learn
cd and accomp' ished Monsieur Vert
Mr.. Green. Now, you must show
the gentleman what you can do, MI.
Green" He here produced q little
ladder made of straw, which the
lizard mounted at q word of COM
mand, and then descended, carrying
of the ladder on its back to the box
in which 1t was kept. Then, being
hidden, it brought out q miniature
wine glass. monsieur Vert has bad
habits" said the father. "He
is q great topper" at which the
little creature pretended to drain
the glass, and when it's master con-
unued, "He can't walk straight"
began to wobble from side 10 side in
q way that made me- laugh most
heartily. There is but one end for
drunkards," produced a sudden
fiounce over it's back, a stiffenlng OF
the queer little feet, and the poor
ACIlO" was pIOsul1dUly uodus OulN
Il twfnkling eye kept watch on US
TO see what effect the Gene would
have. Father Minter pretended to
weep, when Monsieur 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. Zone rap of the tail shall
mesn No and more than one Yes
Now, then, Germany" The tail
gave a vigorous rap. "No? Then
perhaps Turkey" Another single
rap. well, say France? No? Then
perhaps England?" At this lizard
rolled over and repeated the dead
performance, but when it's master
called, "How about Ireland!" 1t
turned again and beat a regular tat
too with its tail. So that is il, Mon
sieur Vert. But what have you to
say of the United States? When the
lizard expressed its enthusiasm by
turning a slow and most impressive
somersault. That ended the perform
ance, which had 1 not not witnessed |
would not have credited it, but Faith
er Minter assured me that it had not
been the trouble to train the little
creature that it was to teach tricks to
a dog.
The lizard made its home INT
where outside the priests window,
but spent most of Its time running or
sleeping on its ledge and would be
for hours watching its friend. When
he grew too week to play with it, it
would creep into his hand and I'VE
stir until he would command it to go
home, when it would start perhaps a
dozen times only to return and try
and steal back 10 him. The day
the grand priest died 1t could not be
induced to leave him for a moment,
and when he had breathed his last 1
had to remove the poor thing from
his cold fingers. l meant to adopt the
lizard for my own. but it fell a victim
10 the foolish prejudice 1 spoke of the
day of its masters funeral. An at.
tendant, seeing the little creature
crawling about the couch where its
dead friend lay, knocked it off and
killed it with a broom, but I have it
preserved as you see."