The Washington times., 1901-09-05
BIOGRAPHY OF A MONKEY.
A Story Told by the Ringmaster
of the Dog and Pony Show.
All siminns. He Says. Arc Moody and
Trencherous-Thc Bad Record of
Larry, Whose Bite Killed n Mnn-
Finally Conquered by Kindness.

Yesterday afternoon. after the conciu-
sion of the performance of the Gentry
Dog and Pony Show, the ringmaster
mingled with those of the spectators, who
still fingered within the enclosure to view
the little animals in the smaller tent.
Most of the loiterers were children. or
the chaperons of little ones whom they
had brought to witness the wonderful ex-
hibition of animal training. To these the
ringmaster talked freely. guiding them
about. and narrating animal tales of won
derful interest to juvenile ears
Be careful there, little one" he said:
that is a dangerous monkey" addressing
a little sunny-hei girl that had ven
tured too near to one OF the large mon
Keys. Let me tell you about that fellow,
Tor he Is sure enough bad and is always
looking for a chance to bite some one.
DO you KNOW" he began, as he seated
himself on one of the pony pedestais and
smilingly lifted the little girl on his knee,
people have the wrong idea about mon
keys. They seem to think they are per-
fectly harmless and can be handled at
pleasure. In this they are greatly mis-
taken, for they are really the worst dis
positioned animals we have. Sometimes
they are all right and seem to be thor
oughly tanned; but they are liable to
change their mind at any moment, and.
to use an old expression, bite the hand
that feeds them
DO you see this scar on my arm2,. con-
tinued the ringmaster. as he pulled up
his coat sleeve. exposing a large scar on
his forearm. THAT monkey over there
is the one who is to blame for that, and,
although l have forgiven him long ago,
l can never forget the pain he caused me.
1t was while our show was in California,
some three years ago, that / first made
the acquaintance of Larry as we have
named him. AT that time he belonged to
an Italian animal importer named Cassie
Braccino. After / had purchased him
learned from this same Italian little of
his past history. If you would like to
hear will relate a part of it.
AS l remember the story, Larry was
captured in Southern China, brought to
this country by a tea merchant. who sold
him to the Superintendent of the Soldiers
Home at Pasadena, Cal. For several
months he was kept there as pet. and
was greatly admired by all visitors He
certainly Is a fine specimen of what are
known as Giant Reesec monkeys.
"One morning an old soldier ventured
too near his cage. Larry. in fit of rage,
jumped on his back and bit him so Sc
verely in the neck that he died a few
hours later from loss of blood. Upon ex-
animation it WAS found that the monkeys
long teeth had pierced the jugular vein.
A report of the accident was, of course.
sent to the Governor of the State, who at
once ordered Larry removed from the In
stitud IN.
''This; happened the very day our show
was In Pasadena, and l purchased the
monkey while he was being led away from
the Home by Cassie Braccino and one of
his helpers. They were so afraid of him
remove the long rope with which he was
tiec We got him safely landed In one
OF car large cages, where We kept him for
several days. By kindness L gradually,
overcame his vicious disposition.
TT was during the following winter, in
the training quarters, that 1 received the
wound on my arm. l was teaching him
the difficult coachmans act of picking up
cleverly this afternoon. | turned to speak
to one of my assistants. My sleeve was
rolled up. exposing my arm.
Quicker than flash the monkey
grabbed me, ini1icting such a severe
wound as to place me in the hospital for
several days. Thanks to good luck my
arm was saved, and have had the happy
satisfaction of conquering by kindness the
very animal that almost caused me to
lose 1t.
But Larry and I are good friends now.
Aren't we, Larry?'' Approaching the
monkey. who was Juggling at his chain in
the endeavor to reach some sn.aiiZZ
who were teasing him. This is what
kindness does" he continued as the mon
Key with a look of happiness overspread-
ing his funny little face bounded to the
shoulder and placed his arms
around his neck
As has proven the case every afternoon
and evening since the Gentry Dog and
Pony Show came to town, the attendants
were last night obliged to clear the tent
at the conclusion of the performance
SO attractive have the ponies and the
dogs and the other intelligent animals
proved themselves that not only children,
but older folks as well, linger to watch
them eat and pat them approvingly on
their sleek backs.
The exhibition last night was, of course
up TO the usual high standard. II was ali
good Perhaps the elephants, whose in
seems the more acute on ac-
count of their clumsiness, were the most
Notified Shetland ponies, whenever they
made an appearance, brought squeaIs of
ieltght from the throats of hundreds of
children The monkeys produced the
usual deafening roar of laughter and
applause. All the other numbers were
highly entertaining.
Nearly every seat in the big tent was
and indications are that the
popular show will receive generous pat
ronage during the remainder of the
Washington stand In the stable tent a
-iny Shetland mare and a much timer
,olt received the bulk of attention The
title fellow was born after the show
,ame to the city and is called Wash
ngton'' in honor of his birthplace.
EXCURSIONS.