Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-06
STRANGE ADVENTURES
OF BILLY BUMPUS
BILLY EATS SHRAPNEL
By Farmer Smith

Billy Bumpus did not expect TO rest in
the barn back Of the generals house very
long. There he was on tho hay enjoying
life and listening 10 the pounding OF the
guns at target practice
BY and by he heard voices and he knew
that some one was after hm-why, some
one was after him almost all the time. He
got nm and sneaked out the back door and
went off in the direction of the firing.
The artillerymen were too busy with their
practice 10 notice Billy as he trotted in
and out among the guns. There were many
things to be considered. First, there was the
correct distance to be judged and the smoke
TO be avoided so that there was enough
work without locating stray goats which
might wander into the line Of action.
Billy came alongside of one of the gun
something which interested him greatly. II
was made Of steel and painted black on top
and vermilion on tho bottom.
Billy began to nibble.
II tasted good and so he kept on until he
had finished the whole thing, which happened
carriages and to his wonder discovered
to be shrapnel No sooner had he devoured
Il than the soldier nearest him discovered
what Billy had done and started after him
shouting Look out for that goat"
The voice could hardly be heard above the
roar Of the cannon, but the man who gave
chase knew that If something were not done
there was a chance Of Billy blowing up, II
happened that the shrapnel which Billy
had eaten weighed thirteen and half
hounds, and il made Billy feel very very
heavy. lie did not run very far but lay
down where he was, expecting his end TO
come at any time,
As soon as the artilleryman had told the
other soldiers what had happened, there
was a council and one and all decided to let
Billy stay where he was. IF we hit him,
the shrapnel will explode inside of him and
blow us up" said the captain.
He then gave orders to one of his men
to stay and guard Billy
"Hump" thought Billy Bumpus. isn't
II A grand idea to be so important you stor
a target practice? l wish that mule could
Kick me now and we both would be blown
up How sweet to die from a mules kick
Just at that moment Billy felt bite
on the end of his tail. Hey, there, little
flea. BE careful how you bite me, for l an
fun Of powder and shot and likely 10 blow
us both up
The flea only gave Billy harder bite ant
then stopped,
"Get up and walk around a little" said
the flea TO Billy
"Can't-too full of powder and shot" re
Piled Billy.
Bite!
"Do please let me alone" whined Billy
"I can't move and / can't be shot-there b,
careful! You will kill us both yet"
The squeaky voice answered., The ides
Of the pet of the army being afraid OF 1
| little fea like me / should think you woulC
| be ashamed to say such things"
Bite
TITS the little things In this world tina
| make all the trouble" answered Billy. "Th,
| big things we can get at ] dare not bent
| over and get you for fear / will explode
! "Chercho-o-o-o-o I" the little flea sneezet
| so loud It made Billy jump
Careful" 4" shouted Billy
At that moment saeN exploded neal
Bnly second onr n7t explode neai
shlp,- neca ~ ...-..--1gas not there.