Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
Happy-G o-Lucky
Hoptoad

toad, and his name was Happy.Go-
Lucky Hoptoad, because he was al
ways doing things in happy-go-lucky
way, without stopping to think what
might happen. His friends called him
Happy, for short. They liked him,
though they were sorry that he would
do foolish things that got him into
trouble.
He had dear little hands and feet,
and such bright eyes, and the quickest
tongue! Why, it was almost as quick
as lightning!
When he was ready for luncheon,
and careless fly came along, and
Lighted near his nose-why, before you
could even begin to count one, that
fly wasn't there, and Happy would be
swallowing something! But you could
never feel quite sure just how that
fly went out of sight. But Happy
knew, and he grew very plump and
sleek.
There was kind of fly that he had
never tried to catch-a long black-and-
yellow fly, that could buzz very loudly.
He was sure that he could catch one
of the creatures easily, but Uncle
Hiram Hoptoad had said, Don't do 1t,
my boy" Uncle Hiram had not stop
ped to explain why not, but had just
said, "If you do, you'll be sorry
very sorry!"
So little Happy let the long black
and-yelow flies alone for while.
Every time he saw one he thought Of
Uncle Hiram and kept that nimble
little tongue quite still. He was very
80 hi nY11h
good advice, for once, and following 1t.
But one day he had not had good
luck. Not many flies had come his
way and his stomach felt very empty.
Just then one of the long black-and.
yellow fellows lighted close to his
nose.
"He looks very filling!" exclaimed
Happy. 81 don't believe that Uncle
Hiram knows everything-so there!
Anyway, here goes!"
Out darted the little lightning
tongue and out Of sight went the black.
fly! But only for minute!
Then out it came again! Happy helped
it, clawing at his mouth with his little
hands. The fly looked rather mussed,
but in a minute spread its wings and
flew away, buzzing angrily.
Happy sat quite still, swallowing, |
and looking much surprised and dis.
gusted. He put up first one little
hand, and then the other, and felt of
his throat His eyes were very bright, |
but he did not even notice a nice !
plump fly that lighted close to his |
nose.
Just then Uncle Hiram Hoptoad
came strolling along. He had had a
fine picnic luncheon Of flies, out by
the chicken dough pan, and was feel.
ing very comfortable and sleepy. He
was on his way to his house under the
flat rock by the gooseberry bush, to |
have nice quiet nap.
He stopped when he caught sight OF
Happy.
whats the matter, SOM" he asked.
Happy did not answer. He kept on
swallowing, though he had nothing in
his mouth to swallow.
Uncle Hiram eyed him wisely.
Cali right, Happy" he said; "you
needn't tell me if you don't want to,
but I guess you've been getting &C.
uuainted with one of those black-and.
yellow flies"
Still Happy did not answer. He sat
swallowing miserably. His mouth felt
as though it was full Of something
very hot.
"Cheer up!" said Uncle Hiram. "By I
tomorrow you'll feel pretty nearly all
right again. But / guess you won't
bother one of those black-and-yellow
lilies again-eh?
Happy shook his aching head. He
could not make a sound. He hoped
slowly aSay to his house under the
Did round boulder that the Concord
grape vine ran all over.
Uncle Hiram waggled his head wise.
~, as he started on toward home.
"Poor little Happy!" he said. ben.
jamin Franklin was quite right when
ne said, Experience is a dear school.
master; but fools will take no other
Why, I can remember when thought
good old Knobby Hoptoad was trying
10 fool me about those black-and-yel-
ow flies! Poor little Happy!"
Next day Happy was out catching
lies as briskly as ever. But he never
, gain tried to make a luncheon of q