Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-11
STRANGE ADVENTURES
OF BILLY BUMPUS
BACK IN THE CIRCUS
By Farmer Smith

"How peaceful II is"'
Bllly Bunpus was sitting beside the post
10 which he was supposed to be fastened
"People think I am fastened ana yet j
am free. There are lot of people In this
world who are free and yet who think they
are tied" Billy was talking out loud,
u was in this ru'e' and peaceful mood
TINT Dilly spent the next few days. He was
free to get away, but he did not want 10.
He wanted n rest. and besides, he hoped
that the circus would come along and he
might begin his travels once more.
If he wanted to get away. there was
nothing to do but walk away.
Funny, isn't It? l can get away when
want 10 and drn't want to II I were
locked mp in a dungeon. ! would want TO
be free This Is queer world" Billy said.
There was plenty to eat where this
part of tho army was encamped, but II
was too uulet for Billy He longed for
the circus and one day when he was eating
cqhbaFe p0S trying to enjoy himself he
heard the bugle sound and saw the troops
get ready to march away.
"Are you going without your little friend
Billy Bumpus?" he shouted.
~ bet the crcus has come to town and
they are going, for they are surely not
going for good because they have left
tho mess tent and that Is the most i'm
portant part Of an army, | think"
When all was quiet, Billy marched of
with the chain around his neck He kept
far behind the army SO that he could not
be seen.
What was his great surprise when he
saw the circus parade coming down the
main street OF the town. II was far away,
but he knew II and-he loved II.
Far away he could see the swaying ele-
phants and the chariots and gilded cages
as they shone in the sun.
How Il warmed his heart!
.I'l be with you" said Billy out loud,
although no one heard him. "Ill hide until
the afternoon performance and then will
march In with the rest.
There was an open door near Billy and
he walked in. An automobile was stand
ing there and also some garden hose. !,
"You can't fool me again." said Billy to
| the hose II love rubber, but l want the
tires this time. I'm rested and will now
| eat a tire Tired-rested-good joke-ha!
| har
lust at that moment some one came along
| and shut the door.
"weli, I like thatr said Billy.
But that didrt stoD HIM from starting to
| eat the tire. He nibblcd and nibbled, for
| the tire was blown M a0d u was hard for
| him 10 get his teeth into H.
"If they keep me locked up. I'll miss
| the afternoon performance and then they
| will fine me-" he was thinking when with
| out warning there was BANG! and Billy
! Bumpus went through the ceiling Of the
| garage and landed on his back In the yard
The tire had blown him through the roof
"Nothing new about thatr' he exclaimed
"But there is not a moment to lose"
BY this time the neighborhood wa,
| aroused, but II was too late to do any,
| thing. Billy Bumpus was going down tn,
hin with his chain jingling merrily behint
| him.
He few to the dressing tent Of the circu
/ He simply followed the crowd. So
! And---woude- OF wonders The clown wa
wlad to see him. but - he was huEginl
| 6ijly. one Of The ec2,lGgo roahaa " ~
's|131 ~ q