The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-10-29


and fetld folds in the Temple of the
Divine Snakes.
The hideous apes we're asleep near
the fanes of the Sacred Monkeys-all
but Goddo, the smallest of these di-
whites.
The attendant priests. or Wallets, OF
these simian and ophidian godlings
were also wrapped in Sunderland
little else--lylng in curiously animal
attitudes either within or just outside
the cages Of the temples. The most
somnolent OF silence prevailed, except
for the occasional chatter OF Goddo's
teeth-for Goddo was Ill.
There came along through the tenn
pie yard two British officers In I'M
dress uniform. handsome, stalwart
men, well burned by the Indian sun
and many a brandy-and-soda. They
were cursing the heat, the natives, the
snakes and the supersitions of the
country. and one had just been con-
graduating the other on a coming
leave OF absence.
Yes, Tom; | shall sail from Bonn
bay In a fortnight. and a couple OF
months later shall see the dear old
home. I've been wondering what sort
OF present to take along for the cub. ="
why not take him a holy mon
key" laughingly inquired the other,
pointing to the cage they were about
TO pass.
Not a bad idea" exclaimed Mai.
Majoribanks, hating. Il could have
fun with him on board ship, too. Pas
sengers like to see the antics OF a
monkey in the rigging. Fancy could
buy one tolerably tame-not given to
biting?"
why. yes; these chaps are tame
enough; they're quite used to their
worshipers. Get the kid a monkey
god-he'd be quite treasure"
Let's try it. You speak Hindostani
fairly well Jvst see II one Of these
priests will 81 his god for a reason
able sum. l wouldn't mind going 20
rupees"
Thus adjured. Tom walked up to
Goddo's cage. and finding a priest
near by. curled up comfortably. kicked
the sleeper's foot. The Hindu slowly
opened his eyes and stared sleepily.
In bad but fluent Hindostani the Eng.
lishman explained. The attendant
arose. looked at both men penetrating.
Iy, as II to read their characters, and
then glanced rapidly about the temple
and the courtyard. No other waking
priest was visible. Here was a chance
to make a small fortune. and then.
perhaps. escape to some other part Of
India, where he could have a wife and
q home. Besides. he was not a full
fiedged priest-only a neophyte. The
crime would not be so great More
over. the chances were that the god
would escape from his new custodian
and return to the temple. II ques-
toned too closely. he could say that
the infdel English took Goddo by
force. No one would witness the trans
fer Of money. Having thought all this
out as rapidly as the working OF the
oriental intellect would permit, the
Hindu spoke. with the slow grace OF
gesture peculiar to the east:
Il will sell little Goddo to the great
soldier on four conditions: Fist, that
the great soldier will never be cruel
to Goddo. or permit others OF the Eng.
hsh race to do harm or offer offense
to him. Second, that the great soldier
will never tell any one that he bought
him from me. since my life would be
the forfeit. Third. that in case Goddo
should escape and return hither the
sahib shall take no steps TO retaks
him. Fourth, that my lord shall pay
me here IN hand for my god the sum
of 30 pieces Of silver-that Is to say.
30 rupees"
Tom. who interpreted. fancied that
q covert CLEAN quivered a second I'M
der the long dark lashes OF the brown
Hindu eye. but the silver was paid
over. and II took nearly all in both of.
fcers' pockets. The priest quickly
tied a strong cord to the monkey
brass collar, and the major departed
with his prize. At their quarters God
do was turned over to a servant, after
Maj. Majorlbanks had administered to
him a good dose of brandy and qui-
nine, at the suggestion OF an army sur.
geon, who had Immediately diagnosed
the animals distress as a touch OF
fever and chills.
When the major took his monkey
on board the ship Rumchunder, bound
for London. via the Cape, Goddo's
health was entirely restored. His an
tics certainly did amuse the passen-
gers. One lady declared him to be "a
perfect little love-" and the major grew
proud of his possession. and took
pains TO inform everybody that Goddo
was no common animal, but one In the
odor Of sanctity. and. with the reyer.
ence due to exalted station. Goddo was
not leased. but petted. and, in fact,
given the freedom of the ship.
All went well for a month, and then
the monkey. having learned the ropes
and pretty much everything else
about the ship-developed a DISPOSE
ton more diabolic than holy On both
sailors and passengers he playei an
endless variety OF pranks. from steal
ing any little article be could lay paw