Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-07-20
BUYING A MONKEY.

A most extraordinary swinde was played
off few days since, on an old gentleman ma
med Darbie-a Spectator in natural and arti
fetal curiosities, who keeps sort of shop fer
that business in the upper part OF Locust street
A man in the dress of sailor came to Oar
bie's door in a cab. and informed D. that he
bad a monkey of rare species, brought from
one of the South Sea Islands, and wished to
dispose of the animal. Old Mr. Darbie,
thinking that the sailor was not much accus-
toned to a trade of this kind, after examining
the creature, which was brought out from the
cab. and finding it the oldest and most won
derful monkey ever seen in this region, drove
hard bargain with the proprietor, and OBJ
tanned the brute for Twelve dollars. The sal
Ior having received his money, took leave,
and left Mr.. and Mrs Dalbie TO congratulate
each other on a purchase thai promised 50
much emolument. The wonderful beast could
walk erect it was about three feet and hall
in height, and much resembled a colored boy
in every particular, except a tail as long as It's
body, which hung down behind, and seemed
to be unavailable for all the purposes TO which
monkeys tails are usually applied. The beast
was partly clothed, as monkeys intended Tor
public exhibition commonly are, IN this age
of refinement, when even monkey model ar
fist will scarcely be tolerated. Barnum will
give me fifty dollars for him. said Darble to
his wife. Fifty he shan't be sold for a
cent less than hundred,' answered Mrs Oar
bic. Well, Barnum don't care for money
think he'll give the hundred reioined OAR
bic; when he sees him, he won't stand Tor
any price Why, then, you're an old fool,
observed Mrs. Darbie, TO think of selling the
cretur for a dirty hundred dollars you might
Just as well ask two hundred.' Let it be two
hundred them, said the complaIsant Darble
but what's the matter with his tail 1t seems
to hang as if he hadn't the right use Of it.
Here Darbie cautiously took hold of the ex
IRENE end of trail and Strengthened il out with
a slight jerk, when, 10 the amaZement OF
both the old peoPIe,-the appendage was
loosed from its original attachment. and re-
manned in Mr.. Darbies hand,-while the be-
reaved animal took refuge under table
why you nasty old block head cried Mrs.
Ddrbie TO her astonishing husband, you have
let that rogue of jacktar cheat YOU with a
monkey that has had It's tail cut off and glued
on again Run after him and get your mon
eyr Stop, my dear, said Darbie, don't
you know that d monkey without tail is a
greater curiosity than a monkey with tail
He'll fetch twenty-five dollars more on that
account IOf we Can put d ldiSe Ih"ot"Ch0 VII
him and dress him up to initiate Chestnut
street dandy And what are you going to
give the poor creature 10 eat J? enqured the
considerate Mrs. Darbie. That's what I'm
puzzled about said Mr.. D. He'll not eat
vegetables He won't eat meat said Mrs
No rather think he will not said Mr. d.
Yes will, Massa 81 eat any ting, for I'm
most consumed hongsry,' said the monkey
from under the table. Mrs. Darbie screamed
and left the room in hurry. Mr.. Darbie
becoming suspicious,' ed the monkey out
stripped off some its artificial fixtures and dis
covered it to be veritable black boy. The
old man, blinded by avarice, had been so in
tent on cheating the sailor, that he got cheat
ed himself The monkey, in fact, was {
clumsy piece of patch work, the tail being
the only we'll contrived 'feature,'-it was
made of black bombazine and stuffed with raw
cotton. Darbie brought the young Ethiopian
TO the police office, but the black rogue would
give no information that might lead to the de-
lection of the pretended sailor;-so all tha
could be done was TO send the monkey mas
querader to Moyamensing -PennsylUanian