, 1891-01-21
THE MONKEY AS A pIoxpocKEr.


|
Trained to Dishonest Practices by an
italian. Who Came to Grief
The unusual sight Of a monkey appear
ing as a witness in court occurred in San
Francisco recently. John Doe" was
charged with being an accessory to the
crime Of pocket picking. The monkey was
the one that was really guilty of the more
serious charge, but doubtless the little fell
low was innocent of any evil intention.
A lady was Mortified while passing Post
street to find a monkey perched on her
shoulder. and before she could recover
from her paralyZed condition her gold
watch and chain were in the monkeys
grasp, and the little thief disappeared. A
number Of people saw the theft commit
ted, but all seemed to pay more attention
70 the shrieking lady than to the thief.
When she had been brought out of her
hysterical state a thorough search was
made for the robber, but not the least
trace could be found.
About two weeks after the occurrence
another lady, while passing along Suffer
street, was treated in a similar manner.
Only this time the monkey secured a valu-
able diamond, which was torn from one of
her ears. Two or three bystanders saw
the act and entered in a hot pursuit of the
four footed rascal, who ran up to the ad-
joining corner and turned down Stockton
street like a flash. By this time a police
man had Joined in the chase, and when the
corner was reached the monkey had as
completely disappeared as though the
earth had swallowed him
Nothing was seen in the immediate vi
cinity but a tall, well dressed man leisurely
proceeding down the street. Doubtless he
would have continued his stroll had not
the officer noticed a suspicious bullying
under the right side of his loosely fitting
Prince Albert coat, and he was overhauled.
Clinging as closely as possible under the
coat was found the monkey.
or course the stranger was indignant at
being so grossly insulted, but nevertheless
was compelled to accompany the officer to
the central station, where, upon being
searched, several gold watches and articles
of valuable jewelry were found upon his
person, not considering the handsome dia-
monds worn by him, and also the Identical
diamond taken from the owner's ear.
Next morning when the case of John Doe
was called in court none OF the frequenters
showed any particular interest even when
a tall, swarthy man arose in the dock,
passed through the little gate in the rail
ing. approached the witness stand and
agreed to tell the truth and nothing but
the truth.
As soon as the witness had finished his
testimony counsel for the defense arose
and began an argument TO the effect that
the prosecution had not proved their case
and that his client ought to be discharged.
The prosecuting attorney had Que moro
witness, however, which had not been
counted upon. and when the opposing
counse finished he arose and said:
Your honor, l ave but one witness to
introduce when 1 am willing to close the
case. Call Miss Mono"
Miss Mono was at once brought into
court in the arms of a stalwart police
officer. Miss don was not a young lady,
but a South American monkey of dimin-
utive size. Her language could not be in
terpreted either for or against the witness,
as the monkey alphabet has not yet been
perfectly translated in English, but her
actions could. With a wriggle and a jump
the little animal landed plump into the
arms of the prisoner, chattering and bob
blnR about with every demonstration of
John Doe didn't seem to relish such evil
dence of recognition, and impatiently push
ed the gleeful little beast away.
IF tho court plehses." continued the at
torney, 81 wish to prove by this monkey
that the defendant is guilty as charged"
He then waved his hand at the crouching
animal, which regarded him attentively.
Another motion made in the direction OF
the judge caused uhe chattering little thief
to comprehend, and before the court knew
what was up his watch and chain were in
the hands of the monkey, scampering over
to the accused. The latter's face assumed
a deep pallor, for he then knew that his
former means of living were lost to him
and that San Quentin stared him in the
face. -Indianapolis News.