CHAPTER VI.
THE CRUEL MONKEY.
One afternoon, Minnie ran out of breath to the parlor. “Mamma,” she exclaimed, “cook says monkeys are real cruel in their families. Is it true?”
The lady smiled. “I suppose, my dear,” she responded, “that there is a difference of disposition among them. I have heard that they are very fond of their young, and that, when threatened with danger, they mount them on their back, or clasp them to their breast with great affection.
“But I saw lately an anecdote of the cruelty of a monkey to his wife, and if I can find the book, I will read it to you.”
“There is an animal called the fair monkey, which, though the most beautiful of its tribe, is gloomy and cruel. One of these, which, from its extreme beauty and apparent gentleness, was allowed to ramble at liberty over a ship, soon became a great favorite with the crew, and in order to make him perfectly happy, as they imagined, they procured him a wife.
“For some weeks, he was a devoted husband, and showed her every attention and respect. He then grew cool, and began to use her with much cruelty. His treatment made her wretched and dull.
“One day, the crew noticed that he treated her with more kindness than usual, but did not suspect the wicked scheme he had in mind. At last, after winning her favor anew, he persuaded her to go aloft with him, and drew her attention to an object in the distance, when he suddenly gave her a push, which threw her into the sea.
“This cruel act seemed to afford him much gratification, for he descended in high spirits.”
“I should think they would have punished him,” said Minnie, with great indignation.