The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-05-25


monkeys, and fed the elephant, and
made mouths at the Bengal tiger, until
that wretched beast was scared out OF
whatever little wit was left in him.
Charley had just emptied his pockets
and bought his last bag of candy and
peanuts down at the stall, when the
keeper announced from the middle of the
ring, new performances
There was a profound pause Every
body waited, GREATNESS.
Ladies' and gentlemen" he said,
''our afternoon exhibition will conclude
with the appearance of the worldrenown-
ed tanned ourang- outang-Mumbo Gum
bottle first of his species who has ever
been found capable of instruction at the
hands ofman. This remarkable creature IL
had almost said human being) will dance,
tell the time of the day, and spell any
word of one syllable which may be given
him by the audience His education is
still in progress. Before our next visit
to your houishing village, we hope that
he will be able to read distinctly Wash
ington's Farewell, or the Declaration of
Independence.
Everybody applauded, nobody louder
than Charley and Pete.
The flap of the inner tent was flung
open, and man dressed as turk APP
peared, leading large baboon, who gaz-
ed gloomily about the audience, and then
took up his station in the ring The
band struck up est. Patrick Day, and
the poor beast executed a very creditable
double shuttle.
Then number of cards with figures
and letters were placed before him.
TEL the time by this watch,'' said
| the keeper.
The baboon put his head close to it,
and then tramped about, nosing one card
| after another, until he spelled out "Half-
| past four"
''That is trife late. Look at this
| one.''
''Three oclock," spelled the monkey
Fright, you see gentlemen" triumph
antly holding out the watches.
THAT is very curious said gentle
man to Mr.. Sears.
Very" Mr.. Sears was looking close
| ly at the animal, watching with queer
smile, every motion of his unwieldy
| body
HE will now spell any word which
may be given him. said the keeper.
HAT" shouted somebody, and the
baboon promptly picked out HA I.
One word after another was called and
successfully spelled.
dat ar beats Jack" said Pete, shak-
ing his head discontentedly.
"Spell jack cried Charley, and
Mumbo Qumbo was just beginning his
round to pick out the cards, when, as il
summoned, like an evil spirit, by the
Name, Jack himself sprang from the top
of one Of the cages, and lighted right
ugon the baboon's back, clutching him
round the neck with his long skinny
arms.
Mumbo Qumbo shook him viontly,
| but did not loosen Jack s hold. The peo-
pie cheered and shouted, the keeper ut
tered words too emphatic for polite ears;
| the baboon nearly choked, threw himself
upon the ground and rolled over and
over.
Jack took all the applause to himself,
and held on like grim death, jabbering
and grinning with delight, his claws fas-
| tened tight in the throat of the poor
creature.
Mr. Sears and Charley tried to make
their way to him, but in vain, the crowd
was too dense. Pete danced on the ben
ches with exultation.
81 knowed dat. ar was one of his kin.
Look at Jack huggin' his grandfather.
By this time the keeper had lost all
patience. He chased the struggling mon
key around the ring with big club,
fearing to use it lest he might strike the
baboon instead of Jack. Mumbo Qumbo
| however, could stand it no longer. He
staggered to his feet, apd to the aston
ishment of every body, broke out into a
yell. "Murther Take him off! Take
the imp off of me It's kilt I am, In
tirely !"
| Oddly enough, at the first sound oil
the mans voice in the baboon's skin,
Jack let 60 his hold and dropped to the
ground Il dismay, Every body was SC
stunned with astonishment that they for
got to follow him, and it was only when
Mr.. Sears and the children had reached
| home 3hat he was dras sed out of his
hiding place under the robes on the floor
of the carriage.
'De hull country side is talkin' of var.
you mizzable little niggah," said Pete,
cycling him with pride. "Git along to
the barn wild you, out of my sight,
turning, when he was gone, with a sat
ished nod to Charley. 'I'll back our
JACK 'gainst de hull managerie, mon
keys, and Irishmen, and all. and if he
dosen't come off'frst best I'll Civ up,
any ho,o' s.-Rebeeca Harding Davis, IN
the Youths Companion.