Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1895-07-18

| Colony, the principal British colony in
South Africa, owns the railroads with
in its borders, and therefore the baboon
is one of the great army of officials
in the British Empire.
He is stationed on a point on the rail-
road between Port Elizabeth and Mi
| tenhage. He assists, or perhaps it
would be better to say is assisted by
an old switchman, who has lost both
legs. This man is his master, and the
noble baboon is glad to be able to sup
port him in his misfortune. The baboon
may be seen here in the act OF turning
the points in order to send an APP
preaching train in the right direction.
His master sits behind him smoking
his pipe, and giving him few words
of direction. The man wears gen
eral air of confidence which speaks
volumes for the capacity of his baboon.
The animal goes about his work in
quiet and businesslike way. 1t Is evil
dent that he makes the switchman as
comfortable as he can be without legs.
The baboon does all the work of COM
DtltHl oWllCUudu anu mum aAOA - 49,
one who knows him believes that he
will ever be found negligent in his re-
sponsible duties. The cooperation OF
himself and the man is valuable as
surance of safety. The routine part OF
the work has become so familiar TO
the baboon that he would be incapable
of forgetting things where the man
might do so through mental preoccu-
patton. The baboon not only switches
the trains, but he flags them. He un-
derstands perfectly when told to ex-
hibit a red, white, or green signal.
He does many other things that will
seem incredible to people who have
never met members of his family un-
der favorable conditions. 1t should be
remembered that monkeys of the better
class seldom visit this country. The
few who do are quickly enfeebled in
health by the climate and are then
in no condition to exhibit their talents.
This baboon belongs to the chacma
family of South Africa, and conse-
quently has a very high standing for
intelligence among apes. The doings
of his family, not always admirable,
are recorded both in the natural his
tory and in novels and they are very
interesting reading.
The switchman's baboon pushes
little trolley from his masters little
hut to Port Elizabeth for the purpose
of fetching tolls, provisions and other
things. He cleans his masters house,
prepares his food, spreads the table for
him, and waits on him and generally
lightens the burden Of his lonely life.
1t may we'll be thought that the
baboon must have giving striking
proof of his ability before govern
ment department consented to his oc-
cupying this position. The master was
a very faithful and efficient workman,
and lost his legs in an accident upon
the road
In consideration of his good service
and the fact that he met with disaster
on the railroad, he was allowed to take
his old place when he got well. At
first he struggled about and did his
work on two wooden legs. but it was
terribly wearing and he felt he could
not stand it long.
Then his pet baboon put most
beautiful and encouraging idea into
his head. The animal was always at
his side. and displayed the greatest
willingness to help. Could he possibly
be trained to do the work of the lost
legs? The man set to work to train
him, and was delighted at the quick
ness with which the baboon learned
his duties.
Shortly after the baboon assumed the
active work Of the switch station, the
head of the railroad department came
that very way on a little tour of in
spection. He surprised the baboon on
duty, and was naturally surprised him
self. He did not discharge him at
once. as some would have done. but
gave him a little attention. The re-
suit was that the baboon demonstrated
his efficiency and secured himself in
his position.