Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-12-04
willie and the
WyIhw]MlJps.
By W. r. BRYAN.
Copyright. ls7. by M. M. Cunningha


What are whumps9' demanded VIII
ham. bis infant soul thirsting for infor-
nation.
"Whumps," replied Tim Mason, "are
beings like men, but they are all clock
work inside"
THAT winds upT' interrupted VIII
lie. winds up with keyT'
with a big key" assented Mason
with inspiration. They steal little boys
and make the little boys wind them up
every half hour day and night. When
the little boys are so tired that they
can't wind any more they eat them and
then steal some more little boys"
Clocks don't eat" scoffed the infant
scientist
You have 10 oil them, don't your
defended Tim. That's H." he went ON
as Willie nodded assent. They only
eat very fat little boys"
Willie glanced at his own plump
person and then looked up in alarm.
"Can they run fast-faster'n mef" he
demanded.
How fast can you runT' demanded
Tim, with glance at the oval path
around the lawn. Accepting the hint,
Willie traversed the oval as rapidly as
his pudgy feet could carry him.
"They can run three times as fast as
that" declared Tim. Come TO think
II over, some OF the whumps can run
three and half times faster"
"Then won't run away into the
woods again" promised Willie. and be
trotted solemnly around the corner Of
the house TO play in the sand heap in
the back yard.
Bess Farley dimpled deliciously as he
disappeared.
at was all I could do to keep my
face straight" she said. with laugh
II don't think we will lose Willie again
as long AS we stay In camp. II was an
Inspiration. Tim, but what would the
president sayT
I'D go TO join the nature fakirs."
was the laughing reply: but at any
rate. shall not have to waste after
moons hunting for Willie that might
be far more pleasantly spent on the
porch with his sister. Getting lost in
the woods eight times In two weeks
betokens that the wanderlust is be
coming habit with the youthful vii
ham"
"A habit to be checked only by the
whumps." assented BeSs. Let's walk
as far as the spring and see il we can
see any OF the curious beasts. I sup
pose | need fear no dangcrW
She glanced complacently at her
slender outlines, and Mason smiled
You wouldn't grease one pinion Of
one wheel Of a whump." he said $50
let us pursue the whumps TO their
lair"
Together they left the camp aud
pushed into the woods those woods
which so irresistibly attracted Bess
Farley's small brother II was Will
Hes first season In camp and his voy
age OF exploration invariably resulted
In lost bearings and a rescue party.
Confident that the fabulous whumpS
would keen tile Youngsters AT home.
Tim and Ress made their way 10 the
spring with no thought OF Willie. But
his sand toys soon palled upon the
v.
employment. He wandered over to
the edge Of the inviting woods and
gazed lovingly into the cool green pas
lures.
In the trees the squirrels chatted. and
he could hear the frogs croaking
solemnly i'm the marsh Just beyond the
road. Perhaps II he was very cautious
hn forhf 40 no dnH xrh trrn
He was such a little fellow. he might
be able TO hide IL they CHANGED his
way
There was a lovely big green bull
frog In the marsh. Perhaps even now
he was sitting on a tuft of grass fairly
begging a small boy TO throw stones
at him. With the delightful feeling Of
adventure Willie cast discretion TO the
wind and slipped into the shady
spaces.
Rut no big frog was amiably waiting
10 become a target Willie could hear
them croaking. but not even baby
frog offered itself to his aim. and the
hoy wandered on. He found a new
charm i'm the woods. since at any mo-
ment he might be called upon 10 fee
from a whump. and he pressed on
ward
Suddenly his heart stood still for one
awful instant From the bushes just
beyond came sound Of voices sudden
~ raised In hue and cry. Willie lodged
behind the bush. scarcely daring TO
breathe lest his resplrations bring
about his discovery. but the sounds
died away In the distance. and. grow.
ing bolder. Willie crept forward aud
behed the lair OF the whumps.
1t was rather inviting spot. not at
all what one would expect In the clock
work beasts. Three white tents were
pitched i'm little glade opening TO the
lake On the shore were boats and ca
noes. while about the tents were easy
chairs OF rustic manufacture.
The only fearful object was a kettle
rwinging from n tripod over the fire.
This probably contained the last victim
ef the whumps canabaliStic tendencies.
aud Willie shuddercd as he thought
how narrowly he had escaped stint.
lar fate He was still congratulating
himself upon his safety when without
warning some of the whumps burst in
10 the open. and Willie's blood chilled
rs he saw that they bore as captives
Bess and Tim. The latter were brave.
They were both laughing and joking
and trying 70 pretend that they did not
care. but that was all make believe.
Willie knew