Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-05-15
My First And Last Murder.

How can one describe morning in the
tropics OF Central America II is be-
wildering blaze of glory. The DAWN"
that in the temperate zones, victrix OF the
shades. precedeS the torch-bearer. has
here no office. The sun is unheralded,
and the darkness in a moment bursts into
the perfect day. When | had reached
the edge of the lake, the bald cone OF
great Momotombo, rising sheer from the
water TO the very sky, was gilded with
light, and in moment the dark purple
shades of his wooded sides, rolling away,
revealed the deep scars of eruptions,
make when he and the world were young
and frolicked together. All thought |,
you are very grave and respectable now:
an excellent example, since your fires
are burned out.
Ii was bathing time for all animated
nature and the shores of the lake were
alive with countless birds. Large blue
herons, white cranes Of every size, CAB
bling ducks, and gentle pigeons. they
needed me not, and my road turned up
from the shore into densely wooded hills.
The world seemed new Eden, untouch-
ed by man. The quality Of the air was
intoxicating; forms OF beauty, delicious
perfumes, sweet sounds, enraptured ev-
cry sense. Suddenly rush as Of a tenn
pest made the horse open his wide black
eyes, and jump against his curb. Then
was sharp chatter of voices high in the
trees. II was flock OF monkeys. How
they came on | A wilderness Of them.
Swift as weavers' shuttles, they sprang
from bough TO bough, through interviewer
vines. They swung by the hands, they
dangled by prebensile tails, they pelted
down dried branches, leaves and bios
SONS. There were mothers with baby
monkeys on their backs: school-boy
monkeys; young lady monkeys; family
monkeys, scandalized at the general dis
turbance, and scoldipg everybody. There
were old monkeys, preternaturally grave,
responsible to the community, burdened
with affairs, officers of monkey institu-
tions and leading citizens.
jumped from the saddle and hurried
ly tying my horse TO sapling, watched
their antics in mute amazement. They
did not care for my stupid society and
moved away through the vast Ceiba trees,
grinning back at me; all but one impor-
tant fellow that hovered above me, hang
ing by his tail and dropping down dry
branches. ThoughtlessIY drew my re-
yolver and lined the poor Sylvan-ruffian
that was-in his own tree. The sharp
report rang out, and the startled hills
threw il back in confused and dismal
echoes. There was scamper OF chat
tering monkeys; saw that my shot had
told, for my victim was slowly coming
down, catching at the limbs with nerve
less hands, until he dropped into the bush
My first impulse was TO ride away but
fearing might leave him languishine
with wound went TO the poor creature
He was struck in the breast; the ball had
gone through his body. Death had
touched him; his human face was livic
and his eyes fiImy. His greattroubIe had
cast out fear, he raised his eyes TO me
with sad expression that penetrated my
very sorl; then TO my indescribable honoi
he looked at his wound, and plucked
leaves with which he feeblY stroye tc
stanch the flowing blood. seized my
pistol to end his suffering but my trembling
hand refused to obey me, and ia a mo-
ment, cboked with internal bleecing, bis
jaw fell and he was dead.
stood still. bound TO the spot, filled
with shame and remorse like him who
did the first murder II was only mon
key; so much the greater crime that ] Z
man, saIuted on the road as a caballero
booted, spured, armed, should kill the