DRESSMAKER'S PET GORILLA

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 12 March 1920, Page 4

DRESSMAKER'S PET GORILLA

" A person wanted to look after a baby gorilla; wages 30s a week. Apply Alyse, 15_ Sloane street, Knightsbridge." The above advertisement sent me posthaste to Sloane street (says a writer 'n the ' Globe '), not to apply for the post, but to find out who was'willing to pay oOh a week for an attendant for a gorilla-. I found that John (the gorilla)' is the property of Madame Alyie, » well-known est End modiste, and in a room at tho bade of Jiei shop, surr&uuded by the daintiest things in silk and crepe de chine. John occupies a well-appointed cage. introduced to him, and, with the perfect manners? one expects to find in a lesident of Sloane street, John held out his right hand to greet me. Then, to display* his pleasure he stood up and gave an exhibition ol the latest jazz step, beating fchf time on his chest with the palms-of h.< hands. The day was rather a sad one fur John, for the tutor ("keeper" is too coarse-a term to apply to a guardian of such a civilised being) for whom madame had advertised had arrived. " l oa must b<: very strict with liim.' said ruadame's sister, "and also very kind. He knows when ne has done wrong and appreciates being punished." It was explained that John, who is now five years old, and the size of a healthy child of that age,_ would-in time attain 'a height of 6ft. This, however, did not dismay the applicant, whose experience of

the tribe was considerable., lie having live;! in East Africa for some time. John is a great favorite with the ladies of madame's staff, who sometimes take him from his cage. "But we have to watchhi:n carefully," said one, "for if any• garments come within his reach he tears them to ribbons." Though he is a strict vegetarian, he is wonderfully strong, be-mi; nearly as powerful as a full-grown man. though he doesn't know it.