Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-04-07

uncomfortable gratitude. No, no
colonel, it would not De proper.
Bob always confined his kisses to
the corporals hands. probably be
cause he had never seen any other
kind. There were no wives, daugh,
tiers or sweethearts in camp. Had
there been such visitors, Bob's close
observation and inquisitiveness would
doubtless have AFFORDED him an Oh.
portunity to initiate other kisslns
customs.
Bob was enthusiastic over me reg
mental band, and do not blame him
Tor the thirtieth boosted a very fine
one. He never failed to put in an an
pearance at dress parade and guaro
mount, and no one seemed to enjoy
the music better. On these occasions
ne appeared in a snug fitting kahki
suit and pretty red, white and blue
cap. The custom of removing the
cap when passing the flag and when
the Star Spangled Banner is rendered
is one Of the most beautiful and i'm
pressive ever adopted by the United
States army. No soldier more rever-
emily observed the custom than Rob.
though he always held his cap over
his heart when the band struck up
the Star Spangled Banner. # he
happened to be going along a street
where the flag was displayed and his
cap was not on. he would scamper
back to his wardrobe, don 1t and re-
turn and pass under the flag with
the little cap close to his heart.
Probably there never was a more
patriotic monkey than Baby Bob.
The Little fellow nearly stamped
ed the whole command at dress pa
rade one evening. In addition to the
natty uniform, the corporal had got
ten an ingenius native to make Bob
a wooden bolo and tiny belt. Fully
equipped that evening, the monkey,
after the parade was formed, ambleGf
to a position a little to the rear and
left of the colonel. drew his bolo and
came to attention. The whole regi-
ment seemed to have espied Bob at
about the same time At first there
was gentle smile on every face.
then a broad grin and then some one
laughed aloud, one of those catching
laughs. and In an instant officers and
men, all of them, were effected. The
colonel scowled but looked to his
left. caught sight of the assistant
commander and Joined in the laugh
That was Bob's last appearance as
commander of regiment of Ameri-
can volunteers. Orders were issued
to keep him in the background at pa
rade.
Does any one who has read this
sketch of Bob wonder why he was a
reg.mental favorite?
4 / ought to close with that para
graph, for the rest of the story -
almost too pathetic to be told.
Bob adopted one custom too many.
Seeing the soldiers enjoy nap after
the MONDAY meal he learned to imi-
tate them. One noon he went to
sleep on a box in the commissary's
store room. In handling the heavy
boxes one fell upon Bob and killed
him. Many a soldier shed tears
when the news went through the
command That night the ingenius
native made a coffin for Bob. Dressed
in his funny uniform he certainly
made an odd appearance as he lay
N state an hour before burial. A lit
tie flag was wrapped about the coffin,
the bolo and its sheath were crossed
upon the colors, and to these were
added clusters of the choicest flow
ers the corporal could find. Nearly
every officer and man of the COM
mand took last look at the little
fellow before the lid was fastened
down. AS the coffin was lowered
into the grave the band played The
Star Spangled Banner Taps and the
three volleys were omitted. The lit
tie grave was covered with flowers
as it was every Sunday for twL
months. The corporal was sincere
mourner. A piece of a peach car
box was utilized for a heard board
1t bore these words, carved with 9
jack-knife:
Here Rests Bob.
The Wisest, Funniest Monkey Thai
Ever Was
Bob's plate, knife and fork have 9
place next to the corpora's.
| Plenty of other monkeys have beer
adopted by the thirtieth but not
one of them is Bob,-for Bob is 9
myth.