Billy Whiskers at the Circus

by Frances Trego Montgomery

Very soon therefore, the jubilant manager of the show was confronted by Mr. and Mrs. Treat with Tom, Dick and Harry at their heels.

“We’ve come to claim our property,” began Mr. Treat.

“Yes, Billy Whiskers, he’s my goat,” piped little Dick.

As soon as he heard that voice, Billy Whiskers who was resting near by, though he had not been seen, jumped up and rushed to greet his master. He was so pleased to see the family that he quite forgot that he was probably in disgrace for having run away and gave every sign of his great regard for them.

From Billy’s actions it was so plain to be seen that Mr. Treat was speaking the truth when he claimed him for his property that the Circus man, whatever he might have planned to do before, did not have the face to question his word. At the same time he had no intention of surrendering Billy. As the boys were just as strongly of the opinion that they would not give up their favorite playmate, it looked for a time as though there would be a deadlock.

But the manager was very cute and he knew by long experience how to manage people both big and little. Had he not spent long years in learning how to amuse and please them?

He did not begin by calling Billy Whiskers a good-for-nothing old goat not worth his salt. No, he said that he was a fine animal, the most splendid specimen of goathood he had ever seen. This greatly pleased his owners for they thought the same way about Billy. Then Mr. Circusman went on to say how fond he already was of him and how kind he would be to him if he was his property. And so by easy stages he led up to the plan he had to propose.

He said that he had no idea that they would think of selling the goat and that he had no thought of trying to buy him, that he would almost as soon think of trying to buy little Dick himself, but that he hoped that they would consider allowing Billy to travel with him for the rest of the season. If they would agree to this Billy would not only be given the best care in every way, but that he would pay very handsomely for the use of him besides.

Mr. Treat asked his wife and the boys what they thought of the plan. While Mrs. Treat, who, you will remember, had always been a little suspicious of Billy, seemed quite willing to consider it and wanted to know what Mr. Circusman meant by “paying handsomely” for Billy, the boys took an altogether different view of the case.