Omaha daily bee., 1897-08-15
A HYPNOTIC MONKEY.
Ringling Frothers Have the Most Curious
Marvel of tie Animal World,
is A VeRlTABLe SlMlAN SVENGAl
Possesses Weird, Uncnnny Power over
His Companions, but Cnnt
Hypnotize
Coon.

"All right; you needn't believe it II you
dont want to, but all the same the monkey
is here. and you can see for yourself. any
time you care to take the trouble
The speaker was one of the superinten-
dents in the big Ringing Brothres' show.
His remark was addressed to newspaper
man who didn't appear to believe that the
Messrs. Ringing really had a hypnotic
mci key-a verltable simian Svengali,
In one of the glittering cages in the men
agCrid there Is the usual happy family. No
circus manag rie would be complete without
It, for 1t is the delight of the small boy as
well many Of his elders In the cage is
Ilongtailed, bewhiSkered monkey from Africa,
OF a rare species, and with face that Dos
sesses more str myth OF character, II monkey
faces may be said to have any character,
than any of his kind. That he possesses
some strange power over the other monkeys
in the cage is plain to any one who stands
five minutes before them. OF course, 1t
isn't hypnotism, as that science is under
stood by man, but Ii is some sort of monkey
hypnotic influence that compels the weaker
and also the larger inhabitants of the cage
to do whatever the queer. Withholding i'm
itator of Lackaye wants them to.
A photograph of the alleged hypnotist
made the other day and 1t will be admitted
by all who see 1t that 1t is the strongest
monkey face ever pictured. The eyes are
large, black and piercing, and he has habit
of fixing them upon other monkeys in man
fear Not that the bewhiskered gentleman
makes any attempt to hurt them, for he
never does. II, however, he sees one Of thcrn
with a peanut a bit of cake crumb that
may have been thrown to him. he utters
tiny squeak that instantly attracts the 9TH
ers' attention. Then, with stsady stare
Svcngali looks at his victim, never moving
muscle His stare at first causes uneasi-
ness. His victim seems loath TO move. yet
appears to be impelled by an irresistible
| fCTpA His peutinn and battpr Judgment tell
him to keep away from his master, but his
Will ia powerless. and slowly, but steadily
! he approaches the hypnotlst, holding fast
| alF the while to the coveted delicacy.
Up the sides of the iron-barred cage he
| slowly climbs. AS he approaches nearer and
| nearer to the fierce visage that remains i'm
| movably scowling at him, the little fellows
| teeth begin to chatter and he en1ts the
most plaintive whine of fear, The other
monkeys make no attempt to help him, but
| retreat to the furthest corners of the cage
| and huddle together, as il seeking comfort
! and safety in each others company
| Like king on his throne, Svengali awaits
| the coming of his subject. If his progress
most inaudible cluck, which hastens the
| movement of the victim materially. The
| Ions, stiff bristles above Svengali's eyes are
| now working up and down with fierce rapid
| ity and his little red tongue protrudes spas
| medically from between his glittering array
of teeth. On his chin the long, sparsely
| scattered hairs, apparently soft and downy
| at the beginning, are now erect like the hair
on an angry dogs back and his tapering,
| black fingers reach slowly forward, twitch-
| ing nervously for the coveted morsel.
Trilby has approached to within a
| foot of her tormentor and master. There
| is quick flash of black hand, the peanut
or cake is snatched from her quivering,
| trembling fingers and she leaps to the most
| distant end of the cage, released from the
| power, or whatever it was that held her,
and free to squeal and chatter to her hearts
| content The peanut. meanwhile has dis
| appeared and Svengali is looking for other
| worlds to conquer.
The Ringing show will exhibit in Omaha
Monday. August %, giving performances at
| and p m. Doors will open at l and 7
| p.