"A lady was returning from India, in a ship on board of which there was a monkey. She was a very mild, gentle creature, and readily learned any thing that was taught her. When she went to lie down at night, she made up her bed in imitation of her mistress, then got in and wrapped herself up neatly with the quilt. Sometimes she would wrap her head with a handkerchief.
"When she did wrong, she would kneel and clasp her hands, seeming earnestly to ask to be forgiven."
"A gentleman boarding with his wife at a hotel in Paris had a pet monkey, who was very polite. One day his master met him going down stairs; and when the gentleman said 'good morning,' the animal took off his cap and made a very polite bow.
"'Are you going away?' asked the owner. 'Where is your passport?' Upon this the monkey held out a square piece of paper.
"'See!' said the gentleman; 'your mistress' gown is dusty.'
"Jack instantly took a small brush from his master's pocket, raised the hem of the lady's dress, cleaned it, and then did the same to his master's shoes, which were also dusty.
"When they gave him any thing to eat, he did not cram his pouches with it, but delicately and tidily devoured it; and when, as frequently occurred, strangers gave him money, he always put it in his master's hands."
"Do you think, mamma, I could teach Jacko to do so?" inquired Minnie, eagerly.
"I can't say, my dear; and indeed I think it would be hardly worth the pains to spend a great deal of time in teaching him. He seems to learn quite fast enough by himself. Indeed, he is so full of tricks, and so troublesome to cook in hiding her kitchen utensils, I am afraid we shall have to put him in close confinement."
"I had rather uncle Frank would carry him back to Africa," sighed the child. "He would be so unhappy."
"Well, dear, I wouldn't grieve about it now. We must manage somehow till uncle Frank comes, and then perhaps he can tell us what to do. Now I'll read you another story."
"A monkey living with a gentleman in the country became so troublesome that the servants were constantly complaining."
"That seems similar to our case," said the lady, smiling, as she interrupted the reading.
"One day, having his offers of assistance rudely repulsed, he went into the next house by a window in the second story, which was unfortunately open. Here he pulled out a small drawer, where the lady kept ribbons, laces, and handkerchiefs, and putting them in a foot-tub, rubbed away vigorously for an hour, with all the soap and water there were to be found in the room.