THE HALF-MONKEY, 



53 



under it, then dashed frantically through, and 

 flew to the highest retreat in the room, as if he 

 had taken his life in his hands. He returned — 

 for it was impossible to keep away — and re- 

 sumed his 'gambols, his hand-springs, his various 

 fantastic exercises ; and between each two antics 

 flung himself about the room as if he had gone 

 mad, ending every romp by sitting a few seconds 

 motionless, with a grave and solemn air, as if it 

 were out of the question that he could be guilty 

 of anything frivolous. 



Early in his residence with us, he made up his 

 mind that free use of the two mantels in the 

 rooms he had the run of was desirable. Those 

 shelves being already occupied, the family nat- 

 urally opposed his wish. In vain. Every point 

 in his advance he won with a struggle ; chairs 

 were removed to a distance and reproofs show- 

 ered upon him. All wasted effort. To frolic 

 upon those mantels was his aim, and he secured 

 it. We gave up at last, pushed the bric-a-brac 

 against the wall, and let him enjoy his victory, 

 but we might have spared ourselves the fight, 

 for he never did the slightest harm. 



Most amusing were his acrobatic feats on a 

 set of clothes-bars, brought from the laundry for 

 his use. He accepted the enticing array of 

 small rods three quarters of an inch in diameter, 

 without a doubt that it was intended for him, as 



