Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-16
AN ACTIVE MESSENGER or DEATH.
Zip Plays Havoc with Pet Birds and Hab-
bits-Up on the Monument.

Nearly everybody in Richmo nd who has
ever walked up Ninth street mas seen Mr.
William Reuger's little coon Zap. as he
frisked around the lamp-post to which his
master was wont to tie him. ZIP Is
celebrity in his way, and for months he
has besn noted for his urbanitv and anna;
bility, hut IN the last few DAYS his moral
character has rapidly degenerated.
Last week Mr. Rucger. realizing that he
would have 10 part with the fuzzy llttlo
animal, sent Up" up to DIR. Is. A. Fox.
WHO keeps bird and animal store at No.
% west Broad street. Mr.. Fox has pretty
much every sort of biped end quadruped
that ever walked III his establishment,
and cooncy evidently took careful view
of the place when he changed his quarters:
IL was Mr.. Fox's intention 20 sell mp
az soon "a possible. aud "a he was rather
afraid that some one would steal the va:
mint" if he tied it in the yard he fastened
il IN his store Saturday night and
went home 20 enjoy his Sabbath III
peace and contentmeat., When he
opened his office yesterday morning
no was horrlfed 10 fud everything
liz a topsy-turvy state. Saturday night
ZIP" slipped OF his collar and played
havoc with nearly all the fowls and rab-
bits IN the store. The little coon got into
the rabOlt-cage and killed SIX Angora bun
MES, two of which IT ate. In fact. "Zlp'
slew every rabbit III the establishment eX-
cept one poor little waite fellow. who
managed to survive the onslaught Not
satisfied with this destructive work, the
coon killed par Of black tumbler pigeons.
O pair OF white Jacobns and valuable
ruiile.neck which belonged to Mr.. Lewis
Franck. 10 do the thing up brown
Zip" emptied all the water from the
aquarium and destroyed the goldfish. aud
then directed his attention to the cage or
canaries and fnches. Fortunately. be
could not easily get at the birds. but sue
ceeded IN nearly sbinping one little canary
alive.
After having satisfied his appetite and
his desires TO have little fnn the coon
got out of the store and created small
sensation on the street Immediately II
front of the establishment. Some OF the
Ihird-District policemen crested the
Troublesome rascal and cow. ed Inn 10
box IN Mr. FOx's backyard. and here the
owner OF the dead tirds and rabbit found
Iip YESTERDAY There was all ar OF IN
tense innocence on the face of the coon.
but Mr.. Fox would have no more to do
with il. He hastily had ii returned to Mr.
Ruegcr, but the coon was not TO be out
done. After having been sent back to
its original owner ZIP commenced some
more OF bis monkey -doings. Again
he slipped his collar and escaped,
but was pursued ana Closely IOl-
lowed. The fugitive made for tho Capitol
Square. and pcrceivlng that the chase was
growing hot he took refuge on the wash
ington monument. and Gsceuded until he
got within the shadow of the B" Father OF
His Country" Beneath this tutelary genius
he was safe for time. aud his pursuers
were completely baliied The KEY to the
intensely interesting situation offered It,
self when the gate leading inside the rail-
lug was unlocked and some intrepid hero
climbed up and brought down the jovial
Zip"
The coon now langushes IN Mr.. Rueger's
cellar. aud his value has deterlCrated as
much as stocks IN the New York markets
since bis recent tscapades.