Smyrna times., 1891-02-04
MlDs4lpMAN AND MONKEY.
An incident in the Early Career Of Cap
schley of the Baltimore.

An Incident IN the early CAFeoN oA S@b~
sehley of the Baltimore.
A naval officer recently told story OF
Capt. Schley, the commander OF the
crack cruiser Baltimore, the of1cer who
le 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 desirOus OF opening up
trade with Japan, paid every attention
to the members OF the embassy while
they were here, and the splendid Niagara
was specially fitted out to take tnem
home. Temporary quarters were fitted
up sumptOusly for them aft on the spar
deck. They were given to understand
that the ship and her officers and crew
we're at their command. The 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 a
tame babOOn, and had been bought by
one of the chiefest of the Japanese pas
sengers. 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 a man-Of-
war takes particular pride in, and that
Is in having his floating home as clean as
ever was the kitchen OF thrifty house
wife.
Capt. Schley was then a midshipman
and was on the Niagara. He was about
sixteen years of age, high-hearted, and
very pranksOme. He cbafed so much
under the restraint Of man-of-war dis
eipline and so often broke out of bounds
that it vas freely predicted, that, while
his career in the service might be very
breezy and exhilarating one, it would
also be brief. One bright morning the
Niagara was heeling along in the Indian
Ocean with a favorable thirteen-knot
breeze bellying her sails and singing
through her rigging. The decks had
been washed down and had dried. They
were as spOtless as bridal linen. Mid
shipm0n Schley was one of the watch on
deck. There came from the embassy
quarters the diplomatic baboon. He
offended as he had so often offended
before. Schley could not stand it. He
STOOD by slush bucket on the lee side
He called the Simian to him, and
caressed m with his hand. He then
took handful of Oakum, and dipping it
into the liquid grease in the bucket
made the baboon's tail thoroughly
lubrlcous.
There was something in Schley's eve
which showed that he was working a
scheme of revenge and destruction. With
rope end he gave the baboOn three OF
four smart blows. The ugly brute i'm
mediately took TO the rigging, amid
which he had so often sported before
Schley followed him for a 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 function
of his tail had been destroyed by the lu-
bricating that Schley had given it. As a
consequence the brute. with a yell.
plunged into the Indian Ocean and was
seen no more.
Schleys excuse 10 the Captain of the
ship for what he had done was that he
could not have prevented the disagree
able passenger from committing suicide
even if he had Lad orders 10 that effect
With a stern ACE and a twinkllng eye
the Captain told the lad to go and sin nc
more.