Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-27
ROSIE CAUSES BAN
ON JOCKO THE MONK
Inquiry DiscIoses She Grew
Peevish and Bit Children.
Organs Now Play Alone.

w
familiar grind organ monkey, who
used to amuse che neighborhood with
his antics while passing his hat for
the benefit Of Giovanni, his master?
Jocko, you will recall, would dance
on the sidewalk while the wheeZy mu-
steal instrument ground out such up
to-date tunes as "Sweet Rosie O'Gra-
dy" or 'In the Shade of the Old Apple
Tree" and then he would snatch on
his little red hat, show his teeth and
swing up to a window sill for evidence
of your appreciation.
Jocko has gone the way Of the free
lunch and the horse car. He has
faded out of the metropolitan picture.
Progressive police regulations have
relegated him into oblivion. For about
four years. now. simian assistants to
the itinerant music peddler have been
officially taboo in Washington.
What Is the reason for this?
Rosie to Blame.
Ask the police, and they will tell
YOU that Rosie Is the reason-RoSie,
beloved pal of Danato Contanni, than
whom the Nations Capital has no
street artist more venerable or re-
spected. Rosie, according to her mas
ter. is not only a monkey-she is
lady.
Rosie, and with her Jocko and all
her ilk. was banished in disgrace four
years ago. after she. supposedly the
most gentle and kind of monkeys. is
alleged to have bitten several children
during unfortunate moments of irasci-
bility.
Signor Contanni, who resides with
his wife far out on Minnesota avenue
southeast, in Anacostia. will enter a
ptnl oil oh {y1Jy NC
Rosie's past, should you ask him. AS
proof he still has Rosie to exhibit in
her own behalf. Get rid of his old
partner? Diavolo. Not so long as a
breath of life remains in the sturdy
italian breast Of Danato Contanni.
Monkey Performs Tricks.
The Star interested itself in Rosie's
case and in so doing learned a lot of
things. about monkeys and the grind
organ business. Rosie may be seen
any afternoon on the front porch Of
the Contanni residence, chained to
box, which is her place of exile.
mo can have da monk amy
more" Danato explained mournfully.
when interviewed. police tella me
no can do. Rosie stay here wit Mrs.
Contanni. You gooda monk'-eh.
Rosie? Watcha him do Tricks
Here Signor Contanni tossed his
old felt hat to Rosie and the money
stood blinking while 1t dropped to the
floor Contanni growled at Rosie
and Rosie reciprocated. but on the
next try the monkey caught the hat
and placed 1t on her head. Then
Contanni took his pipe and tossed it
to the monk. The later caught it
neatly and put il in her mouth, in
approved inverted Dawes style.
I'VE used to make bout sewn,
eight dollars day" Contanni re-
marked as he patted Rosie on her
head. Now eetsa hard. YER hard. to
get wan dollar ALA day. Peoples lika
da monk; geeva him lotsa nicklas,
dimes, pennies Me old and creepled.
Dey no geeva much
Objects to Camera.
But why do you keep Rosie. now
that the police won't let you take her
around with you?" the old man was
asked.
"Oh, Rosie and me OF frauds. She
gooda monk. No hnrt annywan.
She worka for me Tonga time. Now
she rast up and l worka for her and
Mrs. Contanni. Rosie gooda monk
Ell. Rosie?"
Signor Contanni's opinion of
Rosie's character was convincing.
Perhaps the police had made a grave
mistake in accusing her of unlady-
like behavior. She looked innocent
enough, sitting there on her box.
munching a crust of bread Her pose
would make an excellent picture, The
Star photographer thought. He lifted
his camera and bent over it for
close up. Through the focus finder
he saw Rosie's benign countenance
change in a flash into a formidable
scowl He moved closer, and Rosie
sprang into action. Had it not been
tor the chain Rosie might have added
another victim to her string.
That was enough, Rosie had be-
trayed herself.
Rosie may be a perfectly good
monkey, but she certainly is no lady,
believes The Star cameraman.