Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-11-15

Observation-Disclosures,

Bill Looks was almost blubbering.
"She's never attacked me, SIR" he
said "Howdy, Marta, howdy!"
He stretched out his hand and Mar
ia took it through the bars Of her
cage and shook 1t 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 Bill Look doggedly.
"Ill mix her up dose of prussic
acid with her mash tomorrow" an
swered Enderby.
He knew that Looks would refuse to
administer Il, and he passed It him
self through the bars of Marta's cage
Marta looked at the savory mess
shifted it, and held out two paws full
| Of 1t to Bill inquiringly. The tears
streamed down Bills cheeks.
mo, old gal. l 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.
"I'll 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 un
| derstund.
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.
I'D ruther lose my job" he said :;
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 angrlly
from the summit and refused to de-
scend. Toward evening Enderby lost
patience.
"I'H get my rife" he said Leave
her there. Jackson; she won't stir till
morning"
News Of the escape was kept
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" he
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 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. want
you to understand it wasn't me, Mar
ta."
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 fondling and pressing
to her breast.
"Well. I'll be bowed" said Mr.. End
erby.
He looked from Bill to the orang.
and back ut Bill again.
Take your ape back to the cage"
he said. "And have q steel support
put in position, 20 that she won't
break out Asaini"
Hand in hand the pair proceeded
back to the primates' house.