"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