Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-02-19
MONkrYS UTILIZE A RAT.
They Beguile Him with Caresses and
Then Use Him as a Cushion.

They Beguile Him with Caresses and
Then Use Him a Cushion.
There are now four monkeys at Lincoln
park. They are in possession of strange
playfellow, whom they are utilizing as
only monkeys ingenuity can suggest.
Adjoining their cage stands another con-
tanning large number of white rats. For
many months the pink eyed rodents have
excited great deal of inquisitiveness on
the part or their four neighbors The
monkeys have spent the greater portion of
their time peering at the rats, and the lat
ter have exhibited n similar interest in the
monkeys. \ week ago the keeper trans
rerred the largest white rat in the cage to
the monkeys den. to see, what would be
the effect of the nearer companionship.
When the rat made his advent into the
monkeys cage the cunning animals
screamed with delight, but none of them
made the slightest effort to harm the Wis
itor. On the contrary, they showed a
| marked willingness to share their food with
the newcomer, and the rat was allowed to
remain.
With IA reluctance born OF distrust, the
monkeys hesitated for Il long time before
cultivating Il closer friendship Finally.
one afternoon, while the rat was fast asleep
beneath the trapeze, which is suspended
from the middle of the cage, the most in
| quisitive monkey in the cage cautiously
lowered himself from it by his tail. A lit
tie black paw was extended and five tawny
fingers hesitatingly stroked the rats soft
fur. 1t seemed to answer his expectation.
! and in few moments fast friendship had
been formed, and there was harmony among
all concerned.
One after the other the monkeys fondled
the rat in their arms and stroked its fur
They would climb with it to the highest
perch OF their cage, but not once did they
drop it or show the least inclination to
harm their pet Monkeys and rat ate from
| the same dish, and frequently sedate old
fellow would interrupt his own meal to
give choice morsel to his little white COM
panion or to stroke his back, as the monkey
| family gathered together around the dish
This state of affairs continued for sew
eral days, until in an unfortunate moment
for the rat, at least-a new use was
found for it. Monkeys, like human beings,
| delight in comfort. The monkey cage is
! not fitted up with cushioned seats, and the
| occupants seemed to long for life of ease
After much apparent thinking and scratch
! ing of ears. one old monkey decided to util-
| iZe the rat for cushion. He gently
| placed the rat on the floor of the cage and
! sat on it, The rat did not move-in fact,
he seemed to enjoy the new use to which
he had been placed-and the intelligent
monkey chartered with delight. The rest
tried it, and they were equally pleased.
From that day until now the white rat
has served as a seat for the monkeys, who
| become almost frantic when an attempt is
made to remove their luxury. They have
| continued to be as kind and gentle with
| their pet as ever and, since the rat seems
to be none the worse for the peculiar use
| to which he has been put, he has been al
| lowed to remain.
Visitors at the Zoo spend much time
watching the queer proceedings, and ut al
| most any time one can find demure mon
| key seated upon the patient rat scratching
his ear or picking his teeth in sagacious
| monkey meditation Chicago Tribune.