Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-24
THE HAPPY DUCKS
ENTER-BILLY BUMPUS
By Farmer Smith

mother Duck settled down comfortably to
enjoy her husbands story. She knew some
thing good was coming. for Father Duck
seldom laughed as heartily as he did that
afternoon; even his eyes twinked and he
was only too glad to share his fun with her
You know, we never have a great deal
TO do with the animals over at the Farm
They like to call themselves domestic ami
mails and most of them look down on us
They call us wild animals as IL our life in
the woods and by the stream was not ever
so much more Independent than their quiet
life. For that reason | never have cared
much for them even for our cousins the
Muscovy Ducks and the Geese who have
sacrif1ced their freedom for the safety and
lazy comforts of a farm-yard existence.
I'VE probably never would have known
~ liked them very well had it not been for
last winter, which was so hard for all the
woodland creatures. when so many died Of
starvation. You remember how kind Jona-
than Goose was to US then when in despera-
ton | flew over to the farm to look for a
little food. You remember how he and his
good wife saved some of their own food for
us so long as we needed it and it was what
saved our lives"
Father Duck paused and then continued:
well, one day | met a queer looking
creature who would have frightened me to
death had | met him alone. but Jonathan
introduced him TO me as his good friend
and was just little nervous when I saw
two sharp horns sticking right up over his
ears They looked as if they could throw
any one over his head II he took a dislike
to them, and ! kept out Of his way.
Now. when went over TO see about the
refreshments for the Crows surprise party.
iona han and his wife were not at homie.
The time was short and | had to do some-
thing, so | looked around for Billy Bumpus,
and soon spied him chewing away on some-
thing that looked like TIN CAN. OF
course, ! didn't believe il was Just to be
on the safe side. | flew into a small apple
tree near by and said. Good morning and
asked II he knew where the Goose family
was. He spoke very pleasantly and said
they had gone away for the day Mrs.
Goose wanted to find aueter place to lay
her eggs, as she expected to have a fine lot
of gosllngs later on.
"'Can ! do anything for you? he asked.
80 7 told him about the party and he
was very much interested.
THAT is splendid idea he said. and
| wish / could be with you all, but 1t is
a little far for me to walk. Some time you
must bring them all over TO see us. But |
would like to give the refreshments as my
contribution and VIII have them all ready
when you come
pof course. was delighted and accepted
with pleasure
Now for the fun: When got over there
today to bring back the grain, what do you
think that odfor-nothing fellow had
done? He took me over to a big pile Of tin
cans and bricks and old shoes of every de-
scrption and said very cordially, I've taken
special pains to select the very finest things
for you all to have at the party, Mr.. Duck,
Here are some bags and I hope you can
carry plenty for everybody
AT first ! was too angry to speak. and
then began to roar and I've been roaring
ever since. My dear. tin cans are what that
goat LIVES on, and he really thought We
could eat such trash at our party
II thanked him very much and few as
fast as ! could to find iona than Goose
Fortunately he was home and in few min
ptes I got our good rich grain for the
party"
'"rhank goodness we are not GOATS"
said Mrs Duck after she got through laugh
ing.
Listen. isn't that David Crow calling us?
What can be the matter at this time of
night" asked Mrs Duck.
What happened will be told Monday
night. and don't YOU miss IL