Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-13
BiLLYS JOKE.

Billy was a goat. AS his name implies. he
was billy goat. He was given to VIII
lard on his birthday, with a set Of harness,
a wagon and a sleigh. and was kept in
fine little stable. Billy had everything to
eat that a goats heart, or his stomach
either, could desire. All the boys in the
block used to gather at the stable to see
Willard and his pet starting for their after
noon outing.
The first of April came along. and every
one In Wizards household played some
prank on somebody else. Wizards father
had had the expressman deliver a package
to his mother which when opened proved
to be brick WIZARDS mother sewed up
the sleeve Of fathers coat, and he nearly
tugged his arms off trying to get 1t on.
Then Willard and his mother fairly called
out April fool" and father looked fool
ish.
The cook made some innocent looking
pancakes for Albert, the coachman. When
Albert got big mouthful he yelled, Great
Scott. what have 1 struck" Instead Of be-
ing a mixture of eggs. -four and milk, the
pancakes were made out Of sawdust mo-
lasses and red pepper. Now Norah laughed
as she uttered April fool" You could
hear her way out In the stable. There
is no doubt that Billy heard all this fun. nor
that this intelligent beast decided that he
would have some fun even II the LIST OF
April had passed. And the first trick I
play" Billy probably thought, will be on
Norah. for isn't she always making fun
of my whskers?"
One day Willard went to visit friend,
but before leaving he cautioned Norah to
take good care of Billy. Moran, I wish
you would go out and see him once or
twice, for l know he will miss me-
'All right" said Norah. III do my best
to kape the basic company
Norah was busy making cherry pies for
al hor ,{So
to Willard. She put them on the window
sill to cool, not noticing that Billy was
casting angry glances in her direction. Per-
haps his feelings were sensitive. II he were
only a goat. Anyway he planned vengeance
on Norah, right then and there.
B-r-u-m! B-r-u-m! B-r-u-m! was heard
shortly after. Come on" shouted Norah
to the second girl. There's parade
to see it. It's the boys of the Tinth Rigi-
ment! Hurrah!' shouted Norah as she
rushed pellmell through the stable into the
street, where the second girl and Albert
soon Joined her. --.
You needn't suppose Billy was going to
let a chance like this go without taking
advantage OF it. Everybody was having
fun, why shouldn't he? The maid in her
hurry had conveniently left the door of the
| stall open. so out stalked Mr.. Billy. He
shifted the air for a minute. then made a
Decline for Norah's pies. What bliss!''
unused Billy, as he plunged his teeth into
syrup. You know goat can get the great
est amount of pleasure by eating such ar
ticles old shoes, sponges or newspapers.
Imagine his ecstacy when he finds himself
in the midst of such delight as one Of
Norah's pies!
He ate and ate, until nothing was left
but some twisted tin pans. Perhaps Billy
saved them for next April Anyway he
went back into his stall. where he was pa
tiently standing when the girls came back
from the parade.
Norah had stopped to pat Billy on the
head. remembering her promise to Willard
when she uttered scream that brought
Albert to her side. ''Oh, Billy! You're kilt
entirely! Just look at him bleeding his
poor life away!" walled Norah.
Billy apparently had been cut with some
sharp weapon, for streams Of blood were
trickling down his face and soaking into
the white whiskers of which Billy. was so
proud. Norah was broken-hearted and
blamed herself for leaving the goat alone
while she went to the parade
do not know what would have happened
had not her eye just then turned in the
direction of her cherry pies.
You Yillain!" she shouted. you've
eaten my cherry pies you have. And me a
plying you for being cut to pieces, when
it was cherry juice and not blood you're
a-shedding!'
We'll" said Albert. BILLY was only pay
ing you back for your joke on me, Norah.
That's all he meant
"They say the Irish are pretty good at
seeing jokes, but I'm blessed IL 1 can see
that joke at all" snapped Norah.
There was nothing to do but to make
more cherry pies for dinner, and Norah
set to work to repair Billy's damage.
That mischievous Billy, delighted with
the success of his prank, was full of laugh
ter as well as cherry pie. To this day If
you want to see Billys eyes twinkle and
his sides shake, Just whisper in his ear,
cherry pie