Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-10-01
Showing off at the Circus.

circus the other day. She had never
been to one before, and he was very
glad of the opportunity of showing
his superior knowledge in regard to
the habits and modes of life of the
different animals.
At last they halted before large
monkey cage.
"What's them, Jim,' she asked,
wonderingly.
"Them's monkeys, Maria," he
answered. sticking his cane between
the bars to stir them up little.
The keeper objected to their being
stirred up.
Mr.. Smarty was very desirous to
have his girl think him regular hero
and he thought this grand time to
show off little.
''They amt no good monkeys, ANY
way. I've seen any quantity of 'em
down in Brazil" he exclaimed, turn
ing toward the crowd.
"Used to associate with them, didn't
you?" asked the keeper.
eyes, of course l did"
''How they must miss you, my
FRIEND" said the keeper, turning
away.
"Can't tell me anything about
monkeys" added Smarty, with
swagger.
A young fellow that belonged with
the circus stood near. He saw
chance for some fun, and going to
the keeper, said:
"Let's have some fun with that
chap"
"How?' asked the keeper.
"You go into the cage and feed
the monkeys, and leave the door
open. 1 will chin him into going in
too, and then you can slip out-see?"
'All right" replied the keeper, ,go-
ing for the monkey food.
Then he turned to the judge of
monkeys.
81 agree with you, mister; they
aren't no sort Of monkeys" said he.
"Of course they aren't. The show
is a swindle," remarked Smarty.
"The keepers going to feed 'em.
&c into the cage when he does and
show what you can do"
"Won't he kick"
81 think not"
"Fve a good mind to-"
"Thats right. Go ahead. He
thinks you are afraid of them"
"But | amt"
"Of course not"
GIVE played with monkeys four
times as big as them"
''Oh, don't go, Jim. Please don't"
pleaded Maria.
"What, you think I'm 'fraid, too.
Guess / amt. I'm going to have
some fun with 'em, see if | don't"
So saying he got under the rope
and went to the door of the cage
where the monkeys were eating their
supper.
$50 you think I'm afraid of mon
keys, do you," he said 60 the keeper.
eyes"
"Tll soon show you," said he,
climbing up into the cage.
"What are YOU going to do?'
sHave little fun with the mon
keys"
s'He wants to shake hands with his
relations" yelled somebody in the
throng.
"See how much they look alike"
shouted another.
This, of course, produced a loud
laugh, and everybody in the tent
crowded around the cage.
"All right; have some fun with
them," shouted the keeper, jumping
from the cage and slamming the door
together.
Thus shut, it was fastened, and
there stood Mr. .Smarty alone with the
monkeys who at once set up a chat
tering and began running around the
cage.
'Cut up some monkey shines -
"Shake hands with your familyW
kiss him for his mother -
"He's the boss monkey, after ALL"
'Hire yourself out and travel with
the rest of your family" and dozens
of such things were hurled at him
from the laughing, excited throng.
"Oh, you chaps think you are aw-
full smart, don't you," he said, turn
ing toward the crowd.
ooh, go on with your fun %
"Start your performance J"
"Shake hands with your oldest
brother -
"Stir up the animals J"
"All right, I'll do it," he cried,
kicking one nearest to him.
He had occasion to kick some more
just after that, for the whole swarm
of them went for him. They knock
ed off his hat, pulled his hair and bit
him in about twenty places at cnce.
He rushed around the cage at ter
rible rate, kicking and striking it
on all sides. 1t was all in vain. In
about three minutes he was complete
ly licked and began yelling to be let
out.
"Oh, no; stay and have some fun
with the Monkeys" cried the keeper.
$50 it, little ones," cried some
body.
"See how they love their big broth
er."
i