The herald., 1922-08-24
The Badness
of Marta
iIIIIIIIiIHiIIIIIIIIiIIIIIIiiIIIIIIIiIIIiIIi

By ELLA SAUNDERS

when she made vicious attack upon
young Jackson, who was learning the
business, and had been intrusted with
the cleaning out of Marta's ten feet
by eight apartment.
Jackson. staggering back with a
badly bruised face and wrenched
shoulder, went to Director Enderby.
who came and looked at the snarling
lady in yellow.
THAT orang's got to be killed." was
Enderby's verdict. "She's old and
savage. 1t won't pay to keep her.
Sooner or later she'll attack some one
else.
Bill Looks was almost blubbering.
"Shes never attacked me, SIR" he
said. "Howdy, Marta, howdy"
He stretched out his hand and Mar
ia took II through the bars Of her
cage and shook it lugubriOusly.
"She may be all right with you."
said Director Enderby, but she's got
to 60. We've that new pair coming
from BOrneo any day, and we can't
put them with her"
"She's pining for Sim, sir" vOlun-
| teered Bin Look dOggedly.
It'll mix her up a dose Of prussic
acid with her mash tomorrow" an
swered Enderby.
He knew that Looks would refuse to
administer 1t, and he passed 1t him
self through the bars Of Marta's cage.
Marta looked at the savory mess.
shifted II, and held out two paws full
| Of II TO Bill inQuiringly. The tears
streamed down Bills cheeks.
mo, old gal, can't 60 back on
you" he muttered.
Marta, watching his face, began
dipping out the poisoned food and
throwing 1t through the bars. Enderby
looked on In CONSERVATION.
"Tll get my automatic" he said.
Something kept him an hour or
two. Marta, left alone. grew more
and more uneasy. She knew that she
was TO be punished for her attack on
Jackson; but what were these human
beings cOntriving? Fear mastered her
that fear that inspires one to des-
peration.
And there was something else-some
| instinct that even Marta did not I'M
derstand.
An ourang-utan's arms are almost
as strong as gorilla's. With one
exercise Of her strength Marta had
bent apart two bars of her cage-she
was through, out Of the primates'
house, and in the heart Of an acre Of
woodland almost before she was
missed. 1t was Jackson who caught
sight Of the yellow streak bounding
across the open.
They located her at the top of a
tall tree. They sent for Bill Looks.
But Bill sullenly refused to lure her
down.
"Td ruther lose my job" he said {;
and Enderby, who knew that Bill was
his most valuable man, said nothing
Food was strewn at the foot of the
tree in which Marta had taken ref
uge but she only chartered angrily
from the summit and refused to de-
scend. Toward evening Enderby lost
patience.
"I'll get my rife" he said. Leave
her there, Jackson; she won't stir till
morning."
News Of the escape was kept q
secret from the public. The keepers
retired. Only Bill Looks was worry
ing. Soon after midnight he crept out
OF his cottage and made his way to
the tree.
Marta, old gal, 1t wasn't mel" no
pleaded 1--WE tried to save you, Marta"
He was surprised that no answer
came. Looking up, he could just dis
tinguish the big ape resting In the
tree tops. A movement Of her arms
attracted his notice. Then he under
stood. Following her instinct, Mar
ia was building a home Of branches.
Bill Looks turned away blubbering
and went home. But at dawn he
was ut the foot Of the tree again.
Marta, old GAL" he called softly,
they're going to croak you. I want
you to understand II wasn't me, Mar
ia"
Marta came slowly down the tree.
carrying something. Bill Looks stared
at her; in another moment he was
running as fast as he could toward
Mr.. Enderby's cottage. resolved to put
up such a plea as he had never made
In his life before.
Mr.. Enderby came out, sullen,
angry, resentful and incredulous. He
accompanied Bill Looks to the foot
Of the tree where Marta sat.
In her arms was baby orang-utan,
which she was fondlinS and pressing
to her breast.
swell. I'll be bowed" said Mr.. End
erby.
He looked from Bill to the orang,
and back at Bill again.
Take your ape back to the cage"
he said. And have a steel support
put in position, so that she won't
break out again!"
Hand in hand the pair proceeded
back to the primates' house.