Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-14
STRANGE ADVENTURES
OF BILLY BUMPUS
ANOTHER ESCAPE
By Farmer Smith

one OF the stlllest places on earth 10
tarm at midnight. so you can imagine what
an exciting time there was on the Farm
where our old friend Billy Bumpus found
himself when the bell rang at about
l2 o'clock
How was Billy Bumpus TO know that
there was bell on the end Of the rope
ne was eating! How was he 10 know, for
instance that the bell would ring n he ate
part OF the rope?
At any rate. the bell began TO ring vb.r
Billy started to eat the rope, and from al,
sizes there seemed to spring up men hunt
ing FOR fire. There was nothing for RuIv
TO do but hunt for the FIRE. too. and an be
trotted around, getting In everybody's way
ana once upsetting the farmer himself who
was not looking where he was going
Hey there" shouted the farmer in the
darkness. who on earth brought that goat
here?" eO'''
Billy heard him, and thought II was abou,
time Tor him TO run Still there was n
temptation to stay n while and see what
was the matter
The hired man came and helped the farm
or up, Billy could see them by the light
OF the lanterns Il wish l knew who rang
that bell" said the farmer, rubbing his
knee.
"I wonder II that goat did IT," answered
the hired man.
How on earth could a goat ring that
bell?' asked the farmer taking the lantern
and going over in the direction Of the bell
post
There's no telling what a goat will do
ana what he will not do" replied the hired
man.
We'll, look at that !" said the farmer 1T
that goat hasn't eaten a bit off the bell
rope!"
The hired man took a look by the dim
light OF the lantern and, sure enough, n
piece had been nibbled of the rope
Where on earth is that critter?" asked
the farmer, taking the lantern and starting
In search of Billy.
Suddenly he sped him and made a grab
for the goat. Billy was too quick for him,
| however, and lodged the farmers hand by
about an inch. Then he started to run and
the farmer after him
And how they did run! The farmer could
hardly see by the light OF the lantern. Sut
| he went as hard ever he could Uph II
| and down they went, until finally Billy
| started down long hill. the farmer still
| after him
Billy had done this very thing before,
and he knew how to do II, you may be
sure. He was running for all he was
worth, and the farmer after him, when.
| quick as wink he lay down.
On came the farmer.
In the dim light Billy's pursuer did not
see the goat IN front OF him and before
| you can say scat :" the farmer went head
] over heels over Bllly's back and landed on
his head.
The hired man was just behind the farm
er. What was there for him to do but
catch his foot on the farmers leg and
tumble over him.
BY this time Billy had risen TO his feet
and started eff in the direction Of the barn
where, by this time, he had established
| headquarters.
Carlo was there before him. and when the
| dog saw him In the faint light he asked !:
What have you been up to now?"
"I was eating the rope which was tied to
the bell and the bell rang" answered Billy.
why didn't you tell me there was n bell
on the end of that roper
"You didn't ask me-" replied Carlo.
That was too much for Billy, and he lay
down to sleep.