Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-02-22
JOE, THE CHIMPANZEE.

sizes. from the gigantic orang- -outang e
tiny creatures not much bigger than 1
large rat.
These monkeys had u spacious glas,
house, heated by steam; and as tropca
temperature was always maintained. tai
palms and luxurious vines grew so vigor.
ously within its walls that | have nc
doubt the quaint inmates supposed them
selves in their native haunts.
They chattered and scolded each other,
wildly chased stray little dogs and kittens,
and really seemed to know so much that
| half believed an old keeper, who told
me the only reason they did not talk, was
because they could make themselves well
enough understood without.
Many funny stories heard Of their
sagacity. One recall of nurse who
shook naughty little boy in the pres
ence of some of the mother monkeys,
whereupon all the old monkeys began
shaking all the young oaes until it
seemed as if their poor little heads would
drop off.
But, interested in all the singular in
hobi,ants of the house, grew attached
to Joe, the young chimpanzee who had
been brought baby from the coast of
Guinea the winter before lie had u lit.
tie room on the sunny side of the monkey
house, with stove, table, chairs and a
couple of beds arranged like the bcrihs in
the s,ateroom Of an ocean steamer. Be-
sides he had a man all to himself, 10
wait upon him; and 1t was no wonder
the other monkeys were jealous of his
superior quarters and the Difference paid
him; for while Joe was not handsome he
was worth more money than all the others
put together.
He was worth this great sum because
he belonged TO the most intelligent and
interesting species ST the monkey family,
and only one or two of his kinstolks had
ever been seen in Europe, while the only
one the Geological Society had ever owned
had died of lung fever before he had IN
habi,ed his comfortable quarters many
months.
Joe was about as tall as an average
boy of eight or ten years. He wore
thick cloth roundabout, and low fiat
trencher cap such as the Oxford students
delight in.
One day walked to the door Of his
room and knocked. The keeper said
Come in" and as did so Joe walked
erect over the floor to me, pulled of his
cap with his left hand, and put out his
right to shake mine. When | said "lt
is fine morning" he bowed briskly;
but when | added, ''are you pretty well,
joe he shook his head and looked very
sober. The keeper explained: Joe had
cold, and that made him very low
spirited"
Joe was listening a,tentively; and
when the man finished. he shivered and
drew up the collar Of his jacket round his
hairy throat, as il to confirm the state
ment.
gave him an apple, which he looked
at q moment, then opened the door Of the
oven Of his stove, and put it out of sight.
Seeming TO understand that the fire was
low, he pulled basket from under the
lower berth and took some bits Of wood
from i, to the stove. Then the keeper
handed him a match, and he lighted fire
as cleverly as any Yankee boy ever saw.
"Show the lady how you read The
Times, Joe, said the keeper.
Joe drew up a chair, tilted it back a
little, spread his legs apart, opened the
sheet, turned it until he found the page
he wanted, then settled himself into the
exact position Of the comfortable English
gentleman who supposes The Times IS
printed for his exclusive use. 1t was i'm
possible to help laughing, and the sly
twinkle in his narrow eye assured US Joe
himself knew how funny it was.
Quite crowd had gathered at the
open door of his room, and as he noticed
it, he put his hand in his pocket, drew out
the one eye glass Englishmen so particu
larly affect, and put it to his eye looking
as weakly wise as Lord Dundreary him
self. After little he grew tired of so
many spectators, left his chair and quiet
" shut the door in their faces.
Looking abou. as if he would do some
thing more for our amusement, he re-
membered his apple in the stove oven.
Running there he took hold Of the door,
but suddenly drew back, for it was hot.
He laughed little at his discontinue
which he took in good part. stood think
ing moment, then used his ket-hand-
kerchief as deftly as dainty lady would
to accomplish his purpose. But if the
door was hot, the apple, Joe logically
reasoned, must be hotter; so he ventured
not to touch it before opening his knife.
Wondering what he was going to do, l
found him sticking the blade into the ap-
pie and bringing it out in triumph. The
keeper gave him plate, and after let
ting the apple cool little he offered it
to US. We courteously declined. but the
serv ant tasted, explaining that Joe did
not like to eat anything alone. Then
Joe followed, but did not like the flavor,
and beipg asked if it was sour, he NODDED.
We were told that he, in common with
the other monkeys, liked oranges and
bananas better than any other fruits.
Yet he kept tasting little of the ap-
pie from a spoon while the keeper told
ns hnw the sailors who hoped 70 capture