The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-01-28
JOE, THE CHIMPANZEE.

JOE, THE CHIME ANLEE.
When in England was very much in-
terested IN the monkeys at the zoolog-
zeal gardens, Regents Park, London.
There were hundreds Of all kinds and
sizes, from the gigantic orang- outang to
tiny creatures not much bigger than a
large rat These monkeys had spacious
glass house, heated. by steam; and as a
tropical temperature was always main
tanned, tall palms and luxurious vines
grew so vigorously within its wall that [
have no doubt the quaint inmates sup
posed themselves in their native haunts.
They chartered and scolded each other,
wildly chased stray little dogs and kit
tens, and really seemed to know so much
that / half-belieyed an old keeper, who
toldme the only reason they did not
talk, was because they could make them
selves well enough understood without.
Many funny stories [ heard Of their
sagacity. One recall Of a 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 ones until it seemed
as il their poor little heads would drop
off.
But, interested in all she singular in
habitants Of the house, grew attached
oJoe, the Young chimpanzee who had
been brought baby from the coast of
Guinea the winter before. He had lit
tie room ON the sunny side of the mon
key house, with stove, table, chairs
and couple Of beds arranged like the
berths III the state room Of an ocean
steamer Besides he had man all to
himself, to wait upon him; and it was no
wonder the other monkeys were Jealous
OF his superior quarters and the defer
enee paid him; for While Joe was not
handsome he was worth more money
than all the others put together. He was
worth his great sum because he belonged
to the most intelligent and interesting
species of the monkey family, and only
one or two of his kinsfolk has ever been
seen in Europe, while the only one the
geological society had ever owned, had
died of lung fever before he had in
habited his comfortable quarters many
months. Joe was as tall as an average
boy of eight or ten years He wore a
thick cloth roundabout, and low, fat
trencher cap snch as the Oxford students
delight in.
One day ! walked to the door of his
room and knocked The keeper said:
" Come ill.,, and as / did so Joe walked
erect over the floor to me, pulled off his
cap with his left hand, and put out his
right to shake mine. When said: ''It
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
attentively; and when the man finished,
he shiyered and drew up the collar of his
jacket round his hairy throat, as if to
confirm the statement. I gave him an
apple, which he looked at moment.
then opened the door of the oven of his
stove, and put it in out Of sight. Seem
ing to understand that the fire was low,
he pulled basket from under the lower
berth and took some bits Of wood from it
to the stove Then the keeper handed
him a match, and he lighted fire as
cleyerly as any Yankee boy ever saw.
Show the lady how you read the
Times, Joe, " said the keeper Joe drew
up chair, tilted it back little, spread
his legs apart, opened the sheet, turned
it until he found the page be wanted,
then settled himself into the exact posi-
ton OF the comfortable English gentleman
who snpposes the Times is printed for
his exclusive use. 1t was impossible to
help laughing, and the sly twinkle in his
narrow eye assured us that 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 particularly affect,
and put it to his eye looking as weakly
wise as Lord Dundreary himself. After
little he grew tired of so many specta-
tors, left his chair and quietly shut the
door in their faces.
Looking about 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 pocket
handkerchief as deity as dainty lady
would to accomplish his purpose. But
If the door was hot, the apple, Joe logi-
cally reasoned, must be hotter; so he
ventured not to touch it before opening
his knife. Wondering what he was go
ing to do, I found him sticking the
blade into the apple and bringing It out
in triumph. The keeper gave him a
plate, and after letting the apple cool q
little he offered it to us. We courteously
declined, but the servant tasted explain
ing that Joe did not like to eat anything
alone. Then Joe followed. but did no
Ike the flavor, and being asked if it was
sour, he nodded We were told that he.
IN common with the other monkeys. like
oranges and bananas better than any
other fruits.
Yet he kept tasting little of the apple
from a spoon while the keeper told us
how the sailors who hoped to capture his
mother only succeeded in bringing him
off alive after they had killed her. They
HaU ntTu Work 10 Keep MIN awe on
board ship, but fornd a warm nook for
him by the galley fire. He was in fair
health when they landed, so they OBJ.
tanned the large price offered by the
geological gardens; but in spite of the
most devoted care, lie seemed to Ian.
guish in his new home.
'.Do you love me, Joe?" the man ended
his story with. Joe nodded, smiled, and
put his head lovingly on the others
shoulder. AS we left that day Joe took
his hat, cane, and heavy wrap, and es-
corted us to the great door of the monkey
house, shaking our hand as we babe him
goodbye,
Another time when called he was
taking tea. using milk and sugar and
handling cup aud saucer as if be had
been familiar with them from his earliest
days. He motioned us to take chairs.
We did SO, and he jumped up, found
cups for us, and then passed a plate Of
biscuits. laughing with olaa os ua tool,