Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-08
STRANGE ADVENTURES
OF BILLY BUMPUS
THE MYSTERY
By Farmer Smith

Poor Goatville!
Or, rather, poor people Of Goatville!
It seemed there never was a minute. day
or night that some one was not talking
about Billy Bumpus, or that he was not
doing something to make people talk.
Anyway, mother" he was saying to his
wife one morning, they know l am here
and they can't forget me-so what do
eare?
But won't you tell me, your own dear
wife how you got that rope through the
pulley on top Of that fagpole?" pleaded
Mrs. Bumpus.
Couldn't"
Mrs Bumpus went over and put her
arms around Billy's neck. You are the
sweetest thing in all this world she was
saying, when Billy answered:
I'm never SO sweet as you when you
want to know something / know and won't
tell. Oh curiosity is funny thing IL
killed cat once. A nice kitty, too. 1t had
two little feet in front, two little feet IN
back and fagpole on the end Billy
laughed and so did Mrs. Bumpus.
81 don't think we laugh half enough
In this world" began Billy once more. i
was thinking the other day that l would
like to take laughing lessons 1 wonder
who gives laughing lessons?'
you would get perfect in few weeks,
/ am sure" replied Mrs. Bumpus, trying
not TO laugh. She was almost dying 10
hear what Billy did to get the rope up on
top Of the fagpole again. She had lain
awake one whole night trying to figure out
now Goat could get a rope up like that
and, furthermore, there was no one in
Goatville who knew anything about how
II was put up there.
TN give you almost anything you want
To eat If you will only tell me just how
yon did that" teased Mrs, Bumpus.
Billy began to sing:
Curosity-curiosty-
Funny thing-it killed cat.
Hey, now, mother,
Think of that 20
7 give It up" answered Mrs Bumpus,
Us she went out into the kitchen. IF you
cont tell me soon, will go and see the
Wise Old OWL"
Better see the Jay Bird HE knows
more than any other living thing. Be
hoes' If you keep still long enough, / VIII
Tell you all about it myself"
When?' asked Mrs. Bumpus coming
back from the kitchen.
When I get through catching Bull Frogs
On the dark of the Moon" answered Billy,
II looked upon you as my hero-but now
-slnce you will not tell mel think you
are coward !"
Thanks" replied Billy, meekly.
nEfoure welcome" said Mrs. Bumpus,
1ut instead of going into the kitchen, she
went upstairs and put her hat on. She
was going straight to the Wise Old owl,
OF Mister Jay Bird, and find out who II
was VINO put that rope through the top or
'he nagpole-maybe Billy did II himself.
When Mrs. Rumpus came downstairs she
was was sure Billy would ask her where she
was going.
she would not tell him. Of course, that
wwouid be the way she would get even with
nm, nun Tor not telling her that one little
Suhs' To her surprise, when she came
SSo"n' Billy ooked up at her, smiled
anghed and said, How sweet you look"
ms was too much for the dear lady
an. sha she hurried out the door more anxious
nan ever TO find out Bily's secret, which
s.s Vas becoming more and more of a mystery.
Afs Bumpus felt sure that every one in
[o4tvllie was interested IN the same thing
ne was interested in--but SHE was going
70 ma out. yes. nir-ee-e-al
AND SHE DID,