Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-24
MIDSHIPMAN AND MONKEY.
An Incident in the Early Career of Capt
Schiey Of the Baltimore.

Schiey of the Baltimore.
A naval officer, says the New York Sun, re-
Gently told story of Capt. Schley, the COM
mander of The crack cruiser Baltimore, the
officer who led the attack upon the forts of
COrea when We had trouble with that country
and the man who SO brilliantly conducted the
Greedy relief expedition.
The first japanese embassy that came to this
country was sent home in the United States
frigate Niagara. This country, being DESTROYS
of opening up trade with Japan. paid every at
tention to the members of the embassy while
they were here, and the splendid Niagara was
specially fitted out to take them home. Temp
orary quarters were fitted up sumptuously for
them aft on the spar deck They we're given
to understand that the ship and her
officers and crew were at their command
Inc voyage was pleasant, and all was well
until Cape Town was left A stop of
several days was made there. When the
Niagara hove up her anchor and resumed
her voyage there was an additional member of
the embassy contingent. He was u tame
baboon. and had been bought by one of the
cElefest OF the Japanese passengers. He was
an 'amoOsin' cuss' withal. but very free and
uncleanly in his habits. He took liberties with
the quarter deck that brought upon his head
many an anathema from the officers of the
ship and her crew: for there is one thing that
every one on board man-of-war takes par
ticular pride in and that is in having his float
ing home as clean as ever was the kitchen of
thrifty housewife.
Capt. Schley was then midshipman and was
on the Niagara. He was about sixteen wears of
age, high hearted and very pranksome. He
chafed so much under the restraint of man-Of-
war discipline and go often broke out Of bount's
that it was freely predicted that while his
career in the service might be a very breezy
q In rat time Il. 4 l..
One bright morning the Niagara was heeling
along in the Indian ocean with favor
able thirteen-knOt breeze BELIEVING her
sails and singing through her rigging.
The decks had been washed down and had
dried They were as spotless az bridal linen
MldshipInan Schlev was one of the watch on
deck: There came from the embassy quarters
the diplomatic baboon. He offended as he had
80 often offended before. Schley could not
stand it, He stood by a slush bucket ON the
lee side. He called the Simian to him and
caressed him with his hand. He then took n
handful OF oaknm and dipping it into the
liquid grease in the bucket made the baboon's
tail thoroughly lubricous
There was something in Schley's eye which
showed that he was working a scheme of re-
venge ana obstruction With ropes end he
gave the baboon three or four smart blows.
lhe ugly brute Immediately took to the rig
Slng. amid which he had SO often sported be-
fore. Schley followed him for q few feet. The
baboon reached the height of the main yard,
to which he sprung. He ran nimbly out to the
yard arm and then made the mistake of his
life. Wrapping his tail around the foot rope
he swung head downward. with nothing below
him but blue water. But the prehensile func-
ton OF his tail had been destroyed by the lubri-
eating that Schicy had given it. Az a conse-
quence the brute, with wild yell, plunged
INTO the Indian ocean and was seen no more
Schley's excuse to the captain of the ship
for what he had done was that he could not
have prevented the disagreeable passenger from
committing suicide even if he had had orders
to that effect. With stern face and a twink
ling eye the captain told the lad to go and sin
no more.