not report on Monday morning, as originally intended, but will hold themselves in readiness to begin their school work shortly after the receipt of another circular, which will be sent out as soon as the building is in proper shape.  The faculty earnestly recommends that all pupils apply themselves diligently to their studies during this unlooked-for, unfortunate, but wholly necessary lengthening of the vacation season.  By applying to their respective teachers pupils will learn what studies to continue.’”

“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!”

CHAPTER V

 Professor Uriah Snodgrass

The sudden and unexpected news that they need not begin their school studies on Monday morning fairly startled the boys, at first.  They read the circular over again, to make sure they were not mistaken.

“Why didn’t I get one?” asked Bob, rather suspiciously.

“Probably it’s at your home now,” suggested Ned.

“And I ought to have one, too,” said Jerry.

“You came away before the letter carrier arrived,” went on Ned.  “Maybe you’d better go see.  It might—­ it might be a mistake—­ or a joke.”

“Don’t say that!” exclaimed Bob.  “I’m going to see if I have a letter like yours.”

“So am I,” decided Jerry.  “It might, as you say, Ned, be a joke, though it looks genuine.”

To make sure, Jerry and Bob hurried to their homes.  There they found awaiting them circulars, similar to the one Ned had.  To further convince them, as Jerry and Bob were returning to Ned’s house, they met Andy Rush, a small chap, but as full of life as an electric battery.

“Hello!” he exclaimed—­ “Great news—­ no school—­ boiler busted—­ thousands of teachers killed—­ great calamity—­ fine—­ horrible—­ terrible—­ don’t have to study—­ longer vacation—­ steam pipes blown out—­ clouds of steam—­ no heat—­ freeze up—­ burn to death—­ great—­ Whoope-e-e!”

“Did you ever take anything for that?” asked Jerry calmly, when Andy had finished.

“Dasn’t! if I did I’d blow up!  But say—­ it’s great, isn’t it?  Did you get a circular too?” and Andy showed one.  “It’s fearful—­ terrible—­ no school—­”

“Come on,” urged Jerry to Bob.  “He’ll give us nervous prostration if we listen to him any longer,” but they need not have hurried, for Andy, so full of news that he could not keep still, had rushed off down the street, hopping, skipping and jumping, to spread the tidings, which nearly every Academy pupil in Cresville knew by that time.