University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER IV
MORE LETTERS

JERRY found Ned, his nearest chum, at home, and told him of the news from the west.

"That's fine!" cried Ned. "Come on and tell Bob."

"Don't have to," said Jerry. "Here he comes now."

The stout youth was, at that moment, walking along the street toward Ned's house.

"Come on in!" cried Ned, as he opened the door while his chum was still on the steps.

"That's what I was going to do," responded Chunky. "Did you think I was going to sit out here? Of course I'm coming in. What's the matter?" for he saw by Ned's face that something unusual had occurred.

"Jerry's got a letter from Nellie Seabury--they're in lower California--we're going--I mean they want us to come and pay them a visit--I mean--"

"Say, for mercy sakes stop!" cried Bob, holding both hands over his ears.

"I guess Ned's a little excited," suggested Jerry.

"You guess so--well, I know so," responded Bob. "Are you all done?" and he cautiously removed his hands from his ears.

"Tell him about it, Jerry," said Ned, and Jerry told the news.

"It would be fine to go out there," said Bob, reflectively. "But there's school. We can't get out of that."

They all agreed they could not, and decided the only thing to do was to wait until the following summer.

"Too bad," remarked Bob with a sigh. "Winter is the best time of the year out there, too."

In spite of the fact that they knew, under the present circumstances, they could not go for several months, the boys spent an hour or more discussing what they would do if they could go to California.

"Oh, what's the use!" exclaimed Ned, when Jerry had spoken of how fine it would be to hire a motor boat and cruise along the Pacific coast. "Don't get us all worked up that way, Jerry. Have some regard for our feelings!"

"Well, let's talk about school. It opens Monday."

"Don't mention it!" cried Ned. "I say--hello, there's the postman's whistle. He's coming here."

He went to the door, and returned carrying a letter, the envelope of which he was closely examining.

"You can find out from who it is by opening it," suggested Jerry.

"Here's a funny thing," spoke Ned. "This letter is addressed to my father, but, down in one corner it says, 'May be opened by Ned, in case of necessity.'"

"Well, then, open it," suggested Bob. "This is a case of necessity. Where's it from?"

"Boston, but I don't recognize the writing."

"Open it," called Jerry.

Ned did so, and, as he read, he uttered a cry of astonishment.

"Well if this isn't a queer thing," he said. "Did you ever see such a coincidence? This letter is from Professor Uriah Snodgrass, and listen to what he says: 'Dear Mr. Slade, or Ned. I write thus as I want one of you to read it in a hurry, and one of you may be away from home. You remember the last I saw of you and your chums (this part is for Ned) was in Florida. There I secured the rare butterfly I was looking

for, and, through that success I was able to obtain a position with a Boston museum, to travel all over the world for them, collecting valuable specimens. I have been here for only a few weeks, but I already have a commission. I am soon to start for California, in search of a Cornu batrachian.'"

"A 'Cornu batrachian'!" exclaimed Bob. "For the love of tripe, what's that?"

"California!" murmured Jerry. "I guess the fates want to pile it up on us."

"Say, is that 'Cornu batrachian' anything like a mountain lion?" asked Bob.

"Wait," counseled Ned. "He explains. 'The Cornu batrachian,' he says, 'is what is commonly called a horned toad. I must get several fine specimens, and I thought you boys might be making another trip, and could go with me. I would be very glad of your company. Please let me hear from you. My regards to Mrs. Slade.'"

"Well, wouldn't that tickle your teeth!" exclaimed Bob, more forcibly than elegantly. "And we can't go!" he added with a groan.

"Think of the fun we'll miss by not being with Professor Snodgrass," went on Ned.

"And with the Seabury family," chimed in Jerry.

"It's tough!" exclaimed Ned. "And school opens Monday!"

At that moment there was a whistle out in the street and a ring at the door bell.

"The postman again," said Ned. "I wonder what he wants?"

He went to the door.

"Here's a letter I forgot to give you," said the mailcarrier. "It got out of place in my bundle, and I didn't discover it until I was quite a way up the street."

"That's all right," answered Ned good-naturedly. "From the Board of Education," he murmured, as he looked at the printing in the upper left hand corner. "I wonder what they are writing to me about?"

He opened it and drew out a printed circular. As he re-entered the room where his chums were he gave a cry of delight.

"Listen to this!" he called, and he read:

"Whoop!" yelled Bob.

"O-la-la!" cried Ned after the fashion of some Eastern dervish.

"Say! That's great!" exclaimed Jerry. "A month more of vacation!"

"Now we can go to California with Professor Snodgrass, and help him catch horned toads!" added Ned.

"And visit the Seabury family," supplemented Jerry. "Oh, boys, this is simply immense! Things are coming our way after all!"