The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-26
Monkey stories.
rom Chambers, Journal.


Sir Gore Ouseley, diplomatist and trav-
er, gives a remarkable instance Of the
exquisite sensibillty" of the monkey. On
board the man-of-war which took him out
as ambassador to Persia there was a pet
monkey of the captains, a peculiarly af-
fectionate, gentle, amiabe creature, which
was a favorte with the whole ships COM
pany. But it was not without the mis-
chievous propensities of its kind. There
was mich goat kept on board especially
for the ambassadors use. One morning
the monkey dashed the goat to the tackle
of a gun, and mixed 1t into marines hat
the headgear of the marines at that time
was a stiff glazed hat. Caught red-hand-
ed, the monkey was brought before the
captain, who sentenced him to be sent
to Coventry for a week, any one taking
the slightest notice of the culprit during
that period to forfeit his grog. The mon
key went about wistfully seeking the at
tentions to which he had been accustom-
ed, but none of his old friends had kind
look or word for him. In vain he put on
his most coaxing and engaging airs; they
were wasted For two days he bore his
punishment, but on the morning OF the
third, finding himself still in disgrace his
sensitive heart broke under the strain OF
misery. He sprang on the bulwarks, and
placing both hands over his head, gave
one pitiful cry, then leaped into the sea
and was seen no more.
AS a rule so far as our experiences goes,
the mischievousness of monkeys is not
purely wanton, but 1t prompted by mo
tive Sometimes the motive is revenge,
as In the following case. retired colonel
at Bath had a pet monkey. His next-door
neighbor was a widow-ladv with three
mischievous and troublesome boys, who,
when they were home for the holidays,
made that unhappy monkeys life bur-
den to him by throwing lighted squibs
and crackers at him, and giving him nuts
filled with pepper or mustard. When his
tormentors went back to school, the mon
key, from respectful distance, watched
them depart then came down, crept eau
tiously along the balcony to the widows
drawing-room window, and, seeing that
there was no one about, entered, got
hold of a bottle Of ink, and literally
sprinSled it's contents over the carpet and
furniture. He was caught in Migrants
delicto, handed over to his master. and
soundiy whipped-but he had had his re-
venge.
In another curious case jealousy of a
quite human type prompted revenge. A
nobleman, well known as prominent
member of the Royal Yacht Club, had a
pet monkey, which used to accompany
him on his yachting cruises, and was ac-
customed to receive a great deal of ar
tention from every one on board. Among
p
was a beautiful girl, who attracted gem
eral admiration; but, as she professed a
dislike for monkeys, Master Pug's pres
ence was not encouraged The monkey
felt himself aggrieved and neglected. But
when the party landed to inspect some
caves, he contrived to slip into the boat
unobserved and accompany them. Watch
ing his opportunity, he seized a large
crab, and placed 1t against the heel of the
young lady, which Il gripped with its huge
claw so fercely that she screamed with
pain. Unfortunately for the monkey, he
had been detected in the act, and sur
fered for 1t.
one Of the drollest Instances OF the
monkeys keenness of observation and
power Of mimicry that we have met with
is the following. A retired admiral and
his wife, living at Cheltenham, had a
favorite monkey. one day the lady, hear
ing n strange noise in the dining room
looked in to see what II was. The sight
which met her eyes was a ludicrous one
Seated in the armchair, with the admir-
ais smoking cap on his head, and the
admirals spectacles on his nose, was the
monkey; and in his hand was the open
newspaper, which he shook and patted,
while he Jabbered and gestulated with
great emphasis at the cat which lay
blinking on the hearth rug. IL was a
clever and carefully studied imitation of
the testy old admiraps tone and manner
when reading to his wife some passage
from the newspaper which excited his
wrath or Indignation.
1t is strange that so little attempt is
made to utilize this strong initiative fac
ulty in monkeys. They might easily be
trained to perform as athletes and aero
bats. Some fifty years ago an italian
count, who had a villa on the shore OF
Lake Albano, kept a monkey which he
had taught both to row and sail a small
skin. The monkey used 10 navigate this
tiny craft with great skin; but, unfor-
tunately, one day, when climbing the
mast, he capszed the boat and was
drowned. As jockeys, monkeys might
surely be made useful, and would fulfill
ever purpose for which the manniklns
who ride on race horses are artihcally
stunted and sweated.
--Her Concession.--"Rose, is your thea