Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1913-12-19
CRIME OF THE GORILLA
BY c, PoEHLMAN.

heart.
Politeness and consideration are
rare articles In a circus crowd, but
Senobia, THE queen of tightrope walk
ers," as she was billed, had no reason
to complain in this respect. Every
body treated her with the greatest
politeness and respect, though she was
the youngest and poorest paid Of US
all
Strange II was, however, the one
who showed her least respect was
the smartest of the whole company
1t was not because he thought him
self so far above her, but because
he loved her more than any Of us
did, passionately, and therefore sell
fiishly. The rest of us could feel
happy a whole day when Senobia had
spoken a few kind words to us, but
he, Stavarta. champion juggler OF the
world" would not even have been
satisfied had she given him her whole
soul
We we're in Pittsburgh. The circus
was crowded with people, and every.
body was anxiously watching for the
appearance of Senobia.
When we arrived in town, the direci
tor of the circus. greatly to his an
noyance, had discovered that 1t was
impossible to fix Senobias rope proper
iy with the safety curtain underneath.
Then came the fatal night AS
usual. was standing underneath
watching her every movement. She.
was. just ready to walk across the
rope the third time. carrying Jap
anese parasol, when suddenly discov-
cred that the rope was sagging and
that Senobia walked backwards to
the place from where she had started.
At this moment the audience shud-
dered. looked up, the rope had be-
gun to swing violently. 1t was not
Senobia who did this-she had all she
could do to keep her balance. It was
caused by something at the other end
of the rope. and true enough. there on
the other platform sat "Goble," the
big gorilla. crouching and shaking
the rope with its big powerful fists.
As fast as my legs could carry me
I ran to the nearest door leading to
the gallery. To get to this had to
pass by the monkey cage. and here
stopped. believing for a moment that
must have gone mad, for in the cage.
which was strongly bolted, sat the big
gorilla. And still had seen 1t only
few seconds before at the other end
Of the building.
rushed towards the stairs leading
to the gallery and suddenly heard
4 somebody coming down In mad haste.
\ A suspicion entered my mind. hid
myself quickly and watched. A mo-
ment later figure In red tights ran
past my hiding place towards the
gorilla's cage. II was Stavarta.
you miserable beast!" he reared ut
the ape. II wish could kill you'll"
He ran away from the cage. looked
about cautiously and disappeared. A
moment later a number OF people
came running towards the cage. pale
and excited.
What hero Stavarta is" cried the
ringmaster. but for his courage and
presence Of mind the mad beast might
have attacked the audience"
"Stavarta!"I blurted out. What did
he DOR tA
He says he was standing In the
gallery waiting for his turn when he
heard the cries from the audience. At
the same moments he saw Senobia
falling and caught a glimpse of the
gorilla. Without thinking of his own
peril he made rush for the beast.
but 1t was too quick for him. II ran
back into its cage and he bolted the
door behind It."
"Stavarta Is a liar" ! said.
At the same moment he struck me
a violent blow In the face with his
fist.
How dare you call me liar, you
cowardly curl" he cried. you have
always been jealous because she loved
me and did not care for you"
Il. jealous OF you! You know very
we'll that Senobia was not In love
with any of US, and least Of all with
you. And you know yourself that you
are lying, for at the moment ! saw
Senobia ran to the gallery stairs. l
had only one thought-to kill the
gorilla, but as passed the cage saw
Il sitting In there"
What is the good OF calling one an
other liars" said the ringmaster.
1T means that Stavarta must ex-
plain what he was doing in the gallery
and how 1t happened that we saw a
gorilla while Goble was In his cage"
Il will kill you for this?" screamed
Stavarta.
Easy. easy. Stavarta," said the ring.
master, and turned to me.
"Then you saw gorilla, too? How
do you explain that?"
Il believe can explain. Follow
me-"
walked up the stairs The others
and Stavarta followed. He turned
paler with every step, AT the top
there were six little rooms. They
we're all open but one.
Where is the key?" asked.
Nobody knew, but ons of the men
burst open the door with kick.
Inside we found long brown fur
coat and mask representing goril-
la. The fur was torn and the mask
Ga tattara Roth had haan tnrn off