TWO LITTLE MARTIANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 301, 12 March 1928, Page 12

TWO LITTLE MARTIANS

KIDNAPPED FOR CIRCUS £20,000 BILL TO BE PAID Everybody in Roanoke, Virginia, crowded into a circus which pitched its tents there recently. The “Ambassadors from Mars” were depicted on lurid posters as two hairy little individuals with abnormal eyes, ears and bodies, supposed to resemble the features of the inhabitants of the nearest superior planet. Among the spectators in a side show where the freaks were exhibited was Mrs. Harriet Muse. Suddenly, to her amazement, both the little “Martian Ambassadors” leaped from the stage and ran toward her, crying, “Mamma! Mamma!” Mrs. Muse’s sons William and George had disappeared from Roanoke early in 1923, and the whole country had since been searched for them, by humane societies and social agencies. At first the startled mother held them off; but soon she recognised her boys through their make-up; and then all three wept with joy. Tale of Kidnapping As a result of this dramatic reunion an attachment suit for £20,000 was instituted against the circus. Filed at Richmond, the capital of Virginia State, the bill of complaint alleges that the lads were lured to the circus when it was in Roanoke at the time of their disappearance. They were, it is added, placed in the custody of a person connected with the circus: since when they had been held in virtual slavery. They are unable to read or write, it is further charged; and they have received no remuneration of any kind in their forced services. Compensation of £IO,OOO is claimed for each little Martian’s experiences.