The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-08-07
BUYING A MONKEY.

post extraordinary swindle was played of
yesterday on an old gentleman named Darble-a
spectator in natural an artificial curiosities tho
keepi a sort of shop for that business in the up
per part Of Locust street. A man in the dress OF
sailoTcame to Darbie's door in a cab, ana inform.
ed ID that he had a monkey of rare species,
brought from one OF the South Sea Islands, and
wished to dispose OF the animal. Old Mr. Oar
bic, thinking that the sailor was not much ac-
custoned 10 trade of this kind, after examining
the Creature, which was brought out from the
cab, and binding il the oldest and most wonderful
monkey ever seen in this region, drove a hard
bargain with the proprietor, and obtained the
brute for SI2
The sailor having received his money, took
leave, and left Mr. and Mrs. d. to congratulate
each oner on purchase that promised so much
emounent. The wonderful beast could walk
erect; it was about three feet and half in height
and mitch resembled colored boy in every par.
ucular except tail as long as its BODY which
hung down behind and seemed to be unavalic bic
Tor all he purposes 10 which monkeys tails are
usually applied. The beast was partly clothed
as monkeys intended for public exhibition COM
monty are in this age OF refinement, when even
monkey model artist will scarcely be tolerated
:. Barnum will give me fifty dollars for him"
said Darble to his wife
Fifty he shau't be sold for cent less than
huhuIed, answered Mir. DarDle
=" Wen, Barnum don't care for money, | thnk
he'll give the hnndred,' rejoned Darbie. "When
he sees him he won't stand for any price,
"Why, then you're an old feel, - observed Mrs
Dal bic, to think of selling the cretur for dir.
~ hundred dollars; you might just as well ask
two hundred.'
"Let it be two hundred them" said the com.
PLEASANT Darbie; " but what's the matter with
his tail il seems to hang as if he hadn't the
right use of it'
Here Ddrbie cautiously took hold OF the ex.
IRENE end OF the tail and straight it out with
slight jerk, when TO the amazement of both of
the old people, the appendage was oosed from its
original attachment, and remained in Mr. Oar
bie's hand, while the bereayed animal took ref.
uge under table.
. Why, you nasty old bockhead," cried Mrs.
Darbie to her astonished husband, you have let
that rogue of jack tar cheat you with monkey
that has had his tail cut off and glued on again.
Run after him and get back your money!''
Stop, my dear" said Darbie &c don't YOU
know that monkey without tail is greater
curiosity than monkey with tail? He'll fetch
twenty-five dollars more on that account, for we
can put false mustache on him and dress him
/ up to initiate Chestnut street dandyn
" And what are you going to give the poor
creature to eat?" inquired the conslderate Mrs
Darbie.
:" That's what Pm puzzled about" said Mr.. D
" he'll not eat vegetables, reckon
He won't eat meat said Mrs. D.
es will, massa; | eat any thing, for I'm
most consumed hongry," said the monkey iron
under the table.
Mrs. Darbie screamed and left the room in
hurry. Mr. Darbie, becoming suspicious, drag
ged the monkey out, stripped of his artificial
4 fixtures. and dscauosAd 1t 70 be veritabIe blac
boy.
The old man. blinded by avarice, had been S
intent on chea ing the sailor, that he got cheate
| himself.
The monkey, in fact, was a clumsy piece o
patchwork, the tail being the only well contrive
teatuie;' it was made OF black bombazlne, an
stuffed with raw cotton.
Darbe brought the young Ethiopian to tn
/ police Office, but the black rogue would give NJ
Information that might lead to the detection of thu
/ pretended sailor; so that all that could be done
was to send the monkey masqul ader TO Moya
mansing philadelphia paper.