The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-03-06
Billy Whiskers
By Frances Trego Montgomery.

S
 As soon as Billy heard the direc- tions from the crow, he said, 'I think I will start right now, The moon is
 up, which will make it easier travel ing now than later. and, besides.
 neither Stubby nor Button are around
 for me to dodge. and if I stay until
 morning, I might have to wait hours
 for a chance to escape them both.'
 Must you go so soon?'' exclaimed
 the Widow Brown in a woebegone
 voice.
 Yes, I think I must. But if as
 the crow says. it is only about a two
 days trip from the village to our
 farm and it does not aake long to
 come from the village here, we will
 run over often and you can go back
 with us for a. visit
 ''Oh, that will be delightful. I am crazy to see your grandchildren, the
 twins I heard the little girl looks
 loke your wife, but that the boy looks
 like his handsome grandfather
 Your f1attery is charming, and I would take off my hat to you were a man, but being only a goat I can show my appreciation by pulling my beard
 Listen" said the Widow Brown. T thought l heard Stubby the other side of the barn barking" ''1f that is so, I must slidoo before l he comes around here. Good -bne goodbye, but only for a short time," And Billy jumped thes tone wall surrounding the stable yard just as StubbEs nose appeared peeping through the straw that hid the hole l in the fence.
 'Where's Billy" was the first
  How should I know?" replied the Widow Brown.
 Who better?'' said Stubby. Am I his keeper?" ''No," replied a voice from over head that seemed to come from the clouds, 'tbut this time you do know, for from my perch I have seen and heard al 1that went on," and looking 1 up. Stubby and the Widow Browr saw Button comfortably perched on a rafter of the hay loft directly over their heads.
 'I'H tell you more, Stubby. Billy has given us the slip. or so he sup poses, because he didn't want to tear 1 us away from such a good home. And this lady here helped him off by giv- ing him the exact directions which ! were given to her by a gossipy old l crow-~ You see, Widow Brown, I have used my ears well and have heard al of your conversation" l "Oh, you sneaky old cat, you!" ex- I claimed the Widow with a, laugh. 1 'Sneaky- Not at all. I couldn't l help oyerhearing your conversation l when you came and sat directly un- l der me where I was watching to l catch a rat
 1 Well, it is my opinion" said Stub 1 by. that we'd better get out of here l and follow Billy before he Is out of l sight or we will have as hard time 1 finding him as the kidnappers are ] having.'
 Don't be in a hurry or get excft- ed, Stubhy, for I know every step of the way he is to go. You forget that I heard the Widow give him the directions. so now we can follow at our 1eisure.
 Yes" said Stubby. and won't it be fun to let him think that he has given us the slip and then suddenly appear before him when he thinks we surely have not followed him? ?" l "He is just disappearing in the woods that borders the road to the 1 village" said Button. From my perch I can SC his white Asides gleam- l ing in the moonlight against the dark l green of the woods 1 Tomorrow you will hear how three l friends started after Billy instead of two.o