A Droll Mimic.
A clergymanof some distinction once had a tame baboon which became so fond of him, that wherever he went it was always desirous of accompanying him. Whenever, therefore, he had to perform the service of his church, hewas under the necessity of shutting it up in his room.
Once, however, the animal escaped, and followed his master to the church; where, silently mounting the sounding-board above the pulpit, he lay perfectly still till the sermon commenced. He then crept to the edge, and overlooking the preacher, imitated his gestures in so grotesque a manner that the whole congregation were unavoidably made to laugh.
The minister, surprised and confounded at this levity, severely rebuked his audience for their conduct. The reproof failed of its intended effect; the congregation still laughed, and the preacher, in the warmth of his zeal, redoubled his vociferation and action; this last the ape imitated so exactly that the congregation could no longer restrain themselves, but burst out into one long and continued roar of laughter.
A friend of the preacher at length stepped up to him and pointed out the cause of this apparently improper conduct; and such was the arch demeanor of the animal, that it was with the utmost difficulty that the parson himself could maintain his gravity, while he ordered the servants of the church to take the creature away.