The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-02-25

entity so as to miss none of the scenery
and seemingly enjoying the trip as
much as the rider behind.
The pioneer in the sport. however,
it is claimed, was a cat living in Dor
chester, Boston. Indeed, cats seem to
be the greatest riders among animal
pets, for there are a number of them
that have gone on record as expert
cyclists. The cat is the property of
Aleda Perkins, who takes more pride
in its accomplishments than in her own
advanced age of l. years. and claims
that the cat is never so happy as when
bowling along over a smooth road
perched on its mistress shoulder.
Other cats have cultivated the same
taste. A quartette of them belonging to
Edwin and Ernest Warren, of Montvale,
Mass, have made as good a record.
They ride in a cage attached to handle
bars or on the riders shoulders.
A black cat of DanyilIe, Ky, owned
by w. G. Proctor, has made a reputa-
ton as a scorcher. No pace is too swift
for it. The more speed the rider puts
on the better the cat likes it, and al
most any evening it can be seen on
the shoulder of some local speedy
man" 1t makes friends with other
wheelmen, but refuses to ride with
more than one person on the same even
ing.
New York has a bicycle pug owned by
Carroll Fleming, No. 81 West Twenty
second street, who is having an up
hOlstered wire basket constructed for
its comfort during the autumn rides.
With the pug on the wheel no bell is
needed, for the animal has a distinct
liking for the sound of its own voice
and barks most of the time.
Charles Hemstreet, No. II Dey street,
New York, had until recently bicycle
monkey. The monkey rode in any po-
sition on the wheel or the rider, as it
saw fit, and kept up a continual chat
tering all the time. 1t leaped from the
handlebars to the riders shoulder and
back again like flash, and hung on
By feet and tail In & most accomplished
manner. The cool weather, however,
proved too much for it and it caught
cold and died.
But a more remarkable bicycle ami
NAL than any other yet heard of is Con-
sui H., chimpanzee. at Bellevue gar
dens, Manchester, England. X. L. Gar
ner, who has just published book
on the speech Of monkeys, calls it the
most maryeiously human ape in exist
ence.
Consul II. rides wheel, not as other
animals do Though the help of the
real rider, bat unaided. The ape is four
years Gid and was brought from the
west coast of Africa year and half
ago. Its aptitude for learning tricks
is immense. Music is one of its chief
accomplishments, its efforts on the
violin and bugle being too ludicrous
10 imagine. 1t is particularly fond of
its cigarette, and enjoys its tobacco
Is only the prince of monkey con-
nOisseurs can. Not content with using
soap and towels for its additions, it
also shates, causing much amusement
when stropping its razor; and in addi-
ton TO this shaves its keeper in finished
style.
But its strong hold is the wheel. It
rides both the bicycle and the tricycle.,
and it is claimed that it is the only
monkey in the worid that possesses
these accomplishments. 1t learned the
tricycle. &rst, and afterwards took to
the bicycle quite naturally. 1t is an
expert at the sport and steers the ma
chine worthy of study by beginners.
Consul gives performances daily, dis
plays of bicycle riding and other tricks,
all of which are out of the common.
While playing about the grounds the
ape often finds cigar stump. 1t knows
what it is, picks it up, puts it in its
mouth, and goes to the keeper for a
light. 1t will not attempt to light the
pipe or cigar for fear Of burning its
fingers, but it will light match and
hand it to the keeper TO hold. # some
times takes piece of paper, lights it
in the fire and hands it to some one
to light the pipe for it. 1t is afraid
of the fire and will not hold the paper
itself