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

Run, Lovey, run, run, RUM"
Mrs. Hop Toad was speaking TO her little
boy Willie, who was seated by the side of
the road "Run !" she shouted once more
as long object, which looked like a snake,
crept through the grass.
If there was one thing in all this world
that made Mrs. Hop Toad afraid It was a
snake, and now right in front OF her she
saw the longest and tho funniest looking
snake she had ever seen.
There was nothing for Willie TO do but
dive under log and walt TO see what his
mother meant. He had not long to wait,
for Mrs. Hop Toad came along soon laugh
ing as hard as ever she could.
do you know, my boy. what that dread
full thing was? 1t was Billy Bumpus at
tho end of rope. Every now and then he
would sit down and try TO eat a piece of
that rope and he couldn't do it-what do
you suppose was the matter?" Mrs Hop
Toad looked lovingly at her little boy.
His throat must have been dry from
eating fly paper" said Willie, laughing.
How did you know that he was eating
fly paper?" asked his mother.
81 heard Mister Jay Bird talking to him
about it," replied the son.
How observing you are, my son." an
swered Mrs Hop Toad, as she opened her
big mouth and gave Willie a smack.
II took but a minute for mother and son
to get under nice log and get comfortably
settled waiting for Billy Bumpus to do
something.
They did not have long to wait, for soon
the Goat came down the road as fast as
his legs would carry him. Willie was so
ticlled TO see him that he gave a loud TIA
ha :" which startled Billy so he stopped
right in the middle of the road. When all
was quiet again he went on down toward
the hagpole and, when he arrived there, he
did a very funny thlng-he stood on his
hind legs and tried to reach the top of the
flagpole
This was too much for Mrs Hop Toad,
and she laughed out loud. Billy stopped
and said, II wish you would come out of
your Kidding and tell me what you are
laughing at"
Mrs. Hop Toad gave Willie a gentle poke
in the ribs and then started of toward
Billy. When she and her boy came near
tbe fagpole BRly turned and looked at
them.
so IT'S you is itH What are you laugh
ing at?"
81 was laughing at you-you are so
funny" replied Mrs. Hop Toad
Billy.
you are trying 70 reach the top Of that
fiagpole when you know that a pole has
two ends and that you might Just as we'll
begin at the bottom as the top My. but
you must be hungry" Mrs. Hop Hoad
tuhElbu aBdll
II am" replied Billy. 1T is mighty nice
TO have some one TO tell your troubles 10.
ana do you know. I'm going TO tell you
mine-for the first time in my life / can't
eat. That rope has choked me. couldn't
get II down"
your mouth is full Of sticky fly paper,
ventured Mrs, Hop Toad.
How did YOU know that?" gasped Billy.
II know everything-Hop Toads are very
wise"
And Goats are sometimes otherwise"
answered Billy.
Just at that moment they heard loud and
angry voices. Billy turned just in time to
see Jonathan Goat and lot Of his friends
coming toward him. He did not have time
10 run
Billy Bumpus--you will have to put that
rope back. You will have to yut Il through
he pulley on top Of that naspole and--do
Iit QUICK ~
Tho astonishing part of Il rnly did