So he wrote and sent in the animal fashion and language the following well-worded and friendly letter.
Cloverleaf Farm, June 10th, 1908.
Terrence Bull Pup, Esq.,
Maiden Lane, Springfield, Ohio.
My Dear Friend Terry:—
Although it has been a long time since you have heard from me, I am still your true friend and now welcome the prospect of renewing our old-time acquaintance with the utmost pleasure.
You will be glad to hear that I am well and happy, with a good home, plenty to eat and surrounded by many friends. I am no longer the sort of goat you used to know, having turned over a new leaf on coming here to live. I have given up fighting almost altogether, very rarely steal things to eat or rob pantries or clothes-lines now, do but little butting, and, in short, live a peaceable and respectable life, and try to be a good example to all my friends and neighbors. I never expected to do anything different but I am hearing so much about the Circus that is coming to Springfield, and the billboards that I saw at The Corners this forenoon make it appear so attractive that I have decided to take it in, and so write to you, my old friend, to ask if it will be quite convenient for you to have me for a guest at the time. I not only want to see you, but feel that your greater familiarity with the ways of the world at present will be of the greatest help to me in keeping out of danger and in seeing all the wonderful sights to best advantage.
I trust that this letter finds you well and as handsome as ever.
A prompt reply will be appreciated by
Faithfully your friend,
Billy Whiskers.
“That’s a good letter,” said Billy Whiskers, as he read it over before posting. “It will bring an invitation all right or I miss my guess. He can’t resist that reference to his good looks. Terry always was vain. As near as I can make out, he considers his pug nose very cute and attractive and those bow legs of his as models of grace.”
