The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1897-04-17
HIS MONKEY ADMlRER.


After a somewhat learned and very
interesting discussion on the Near
ness of Animals to Man." and Mr. Gar
ner's efforts toward developing mon
key language, etc, some one told the
following story:
"A young lad in a southern family
know had half-gro wn black monkey
sent to him from Borneo. The crea-
ture, shy and strange at first, soon
showed himself responsive to kindness,
> quick and intelligent in learning the
usual accomplishments thought neces-
sary in a monkey education. He be-
came warmly attached to his youthful
owner, and the two friends might be
seen anywhere together, the Borneo
perched on the shoulders of young
America, occasionally giving him an
affectlonate tap on the cheek, or chat
tering in his ear in the most human
way possible. After awhile it vas de-
creed that Yokko's master must be
condition of that monkey in conse-
quence was really pitia able-he grieved
and refused to be comforted for long
time, and then he suddenly became
mischievous. He played such. tricks
and pranks that at last everybody's
patience gave out and Yokko was dis
posed of and disappeared.
Years went by, and the young
southerner went from school to col
lege. Soon after his graduation he
was visiting in some western city
Chicago, think-and passing along the
streets one day he observe ed knot of
people gathered on corner. He ap-
preached to see what it meant; sud-
denly great black thing lighted on
his shoulders, his neck was closely
clasped and a little cold, black paw
vas patting and stroking his face with
such an abandon OF affection, such an
excited chattering and murmuring as
completely bewildered the young man
for a moment.
"Of course it was master Yokko, de-
scended to the role of an organ
monkey, and after all the years, all
the travel and toll and change, he had
recognized his old young master! The
delight was mutual, and arrangements
were soon completed for the repur-
chase of Yokko. Certainly if prompt.
swift, decisive action is indicative Of
something beyond mere instinct-of
intellect, in fact-that monkey had it.
And there wasn't any question as to
his 'nearness to man. was therer'
Then a native man who was present
told the following:
You know sailors are always fond of
pets, and on board man-of-war they
are especially so; there are always two
or three, sometimes more, on board
and ship in southern waters always
has monkey and a parrot So at
Madagascar they brought big black
ape whom the men named 'Majunga'
from the name of the poet. She was
tame, had had some teaching and al
together was very ll-behaved. When
she first came aboard it was necessary
to shut her up while we were getting
off, SO banana was put into an empty
chicken coop and Majunga went in.
While she was, apparently, absorb bed
in peeling and eating the banana the
door of the coop was closed upon her
ana fastened by means of big hasp
over an eye and big nail slipped
through. So, you see, the monkey was
safe. Now, monkey is always on the
watch exactly at the moment when it
seems least SO; it will look in every di-
rection but the one it needs to-appar-
emily. Consequently, Majunga had
her back to the door all the time
when she had finished the banana she
turned around and without one in
stant's hesitation she put her paw
through the bars of the coop, lifted
out the nail, pushed open the door,
and mounted on top of the coop, laid
the nail beside her and with evident
interest watched what was going on"
Boston Globe