The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-09-08
THE NEwpoRrs MAscoE
Does Not Like the Gun.
boats Gont.

Those who imagine that the seafar.
ing life 10 conducive to hardness and
that the sailormen are lacking in ten
derness would have been surprised at
a sight which was witnessed on board
the Newport when anchored of Tomp-
kinsville one night recently. It was
past midnight when the Tribune re-
porter rowed out toward the gunboat.
After satisfying the inquiries of the
watch the reporter climbed on board
and was greeted at the head of the
gangway by the deck officer and few
sailors, who were glad to while away
a few minutes in conversation carried
on in whispers. A humber Of the men
turned over in their hammocks and
joined in the chatting, bnt two sleepers
lying on the deck caught the report
er's eye, and presented fascinating
picture of domestic bliss. The two
were side by side, nesting co7ily to-
gether, with their arms clasped about
each others neck in an affectionate
embrace. The sleepers were Cusack.
the monkey, mascot plenipotentiary
Of the Newport. and Sandy, tar, who
has charge Of the pets. Cusack was
picked up in Nicaragua by sailor on
shore leave. He is of the ring-tailed
species, brown ip color and large.
The men on the Newport interrupted
their stories of the Cuban blockade to
tell their visitor that Cusack was the
cleverest monkey alive. and that
money could not buy him from them.
"Just say something about McCalla,
a fighter from away back" said .
wide-awake Jackie. "and don't forget
to put something in your paper about
Cusack."
Cusack's story is interesting. be-
cause it is exceptional. There are
plenty Of stories aAoat about
bad monkeys, Monkeys who steal
and play pranks. but Cusack
is none of these. He does not
in the least resemble the monkeys
usual prototype, the small boy. He Has
no bad habits. Cusack is as steady
going as the oldest tar aboard. and,
being of an, industrious turn of mind,
he is happy when he gets bodkin and
is permitted to assist Jack in mending
the sails. He sews like woman. and
all the time keeps up chattering like
an old dame at a sewing circle. No one
has been able to translate Cusack's
language, but 1t is generally thought
that his remarks relate to the goat on
board the Newport, and are not com
in their character.
This goat is the monkeys pet aver
sion. If it were not for her his cup Of
would be full; as it is. there
Is fly in Chsack's milk.
Until the goat came Cusack was sole
master of the situation, but he now
feels that he has rival in the afiec-
tions of the Jackies. When Mamie first |
came on board Cusack tried to make
her sick Of her surroundings. and every
time the goat appeared ON deck the |
would jump on her hack and
ride around the ship. the goat vainly
trying to shake him on. At other |
times Cusack would overturn . pail Of |
water into the goats food. and for this
he was severely punished.
Poor Cussck felt the disgrace keeuly, |
and after that he would often 70 and |
lit on the pinnacle, looking mournfully |
1T the sky and water. One afternoon.
while the Newport was with the block
ading squadron Oh Havana, there was |
} splash and the monkey was seen ii |
The water. Whether or not II was an
attempt ct suicide the sailors do not |
positively know. but Sandy went over
he side quickly and Cusack was saved. |
Now the monkey II happiest when ~
ing with his arms shout Sandy's neck.
. he was the night the reporter saw