“We have their full names at headquarters,” the other trooper declared. “These three have been in prison for stealing cattle. They just can’t seem to learn I”
“Thanks for identifying these crooks,” Becker said to Bert as he started the car again. “I’ll take them on to jail. Your information led to their capture. They were picked up with Major as they drove into Blaisdell.”
Keller got back into the truck and followed the police car down the driveway.
Dinah and Martha had cooked a particularly delicious dinner to celebrate Bert’s return. The table conversation was lively as Harry and the older twins again described their adventure.
“You children are very good detectives,” Mrs. Bobbsey commented, “but I’m glad you’ve solved the mysteries of Meadowbrook Farm without anyone’s getting hurt!”
“I’d like to have another mystery to solve,” Nan said dreamily.
Her mother smiled. “I have a mystery for you.”
“What is it, Mommy?” Flossie asked.
“I had a letter this morning that concerns all of us,” Mrs. Bobbsey teased. “Can you guess who wrote it?”
There were many guesses until Freddie piped up, “Aunt Emily!”
“You get the prize, Freddie!” Aunt Sarah laughed as she passed him a plate of mints.
“What did Aunt Emily say that concerns us all?” Nan wanted to know.
“I’ll bet she’s inviting us for a visit!” Bert observed. “That would be keen!”
Aunt Emily Minturn was Mrs. Bobbsey’s sister. She lived at Ocean Cliff with her husband and daughter Dorothy who was just Nan’s and Bert’s age. The Bobbseys always enjoyed visiting the Minturns.
“Ooh!” Flossie exclaimed. “We can go bathing in the ocean. I like that ’cept when the big waves knock me down!”
Freddie snorted. “Why, that’s fun! How soon do we go?”
“You can’t go until you’ve been to the County Fair and see Major get another prize,” Harry spoke up.
He explained that the fair would open the following Tuesday. “I’ve received permission to put in a late entry. The chairman has been holding a place for me in case Major was found.”
“That’s great!” said Bert. “Mother, may we stay?”
“Oh yes, you must,” Aunt Sarah insisted. “Besides, I want to give a farewell party for you.”
“Goody! Goody!” Flossie exclaimed.
Harry said Major would need a lot of grooming to make him a show animal. That Monday he and Bert spent several hours in the barn curry combing and brushing the bull until his coat glistened. He even permitted his hoofs to be painted.
“The judges make their decisions tomorrow, and the following day, Wednesday, pin the ribbons on the prize-winning animals,” Harry explained. “After Dad and I get Major settled in his pen at the fair, we’ll give him another slicking up.”
Excitement ran high as everyone at Meadowbrook rode over to the fair on Wednesday. They went at once to see their bull.
“Boy, oh boy!” cried Freddie. “Major won a blue ribbon! Is that first place?”
“Yes, it is,” Nan answered. “Isn’t it wonderful?”
Everyone congratulated Harry, who had taken care of Major since he was a calf. The bull seemed to sense that he had done something worthwhile. He snorted a little, pawed the ground, and let the children pet him.
At last the twins’ mother said if they wanted to see anything else at the fair, they must leave. Finally everyone was tired and they went home.
After lunch and a rest, it was time for the farewell party to begin. All the children who had been on the picnic had been invited—even Mark Teron.
“Mark’s all right now,” Bert had spoken up in the boy’s defense. “He did a good job as master of ceremonies at our show!”
“That’s right,” Aunt Sarah had agreed. “I’m sure Mark has realized that he has a better time when he behaves himself!”
About two-thirty the guests began to arrive. The boys wore shorts instead of their usual dungarees and the girls looked pretty in crisp cotton dresses.
Aunt Sarah had arranged several games to play and soon the air was full of squeals and giggles and shouts as the children threw darts and played horseshoes.
Finally Mrs. Bobbsey pinned a large picture of a bull to the big maple in front of the porch. “This is Major,” she announced, “and the object of this game is to pin the blue ribbon on his ear!”
Aunt Sarah passed around blue paper ribbons with a pin stuck in each. Then one by one the children were blindfolded, spun around, and given a chance to pin the ribbon on the bulL Ribbons began to decorate every part of the animal’s body except his ear!
Bert was the last to try. He staggered about, finally heading for the steps. “No, Bert!” Flossie screamed. “You’re going the wrong way!”
Bert turned and after a little fumbling pinned his ribbon exactly on the bull’s ear!
“Good for you, Bert!” Tom Holden cried. “You can find Major every time!” There were cheers for Bert.
After a while the children were invited into the dining room where there were all kinds of sandwiches, delicious ice cream, and two big layer cakes.
When they were finished eating, Nan announced that her family was leaving the next day.
“Oh, that’s a shame,” said Patty. “When you Bobbseys are around we have such exciting adventures!”
“Even when we’re playing hide-and-seek on a picnic,” Kim added happily.
Flossie perked up. “Yes, it was fun, ’cept I was scared when I fell down the cliff!”
“Freddie took a big spill, too,” Nan added, “but his had a little more color!”
Freddie giggled. “Yes, next time I want some cherries from a tree, I’ll eat all I pick!”
“Oh, you’ll get a tummy ache,” said Flossie.
“Then I’ll ask someone to climb up with me to help pick.”
“Don’t ask me,” Bert popped up. “I have enough trouble rescuing chickens in a flood and finding missing prize bulls!”
The children laughed heartily. Then Harry broke in. “It seems every Bobbsey got into trouble except Nan.”
“I’m just lucky,” she said shyly. With that Nan turned suddenly to get up from the table. The chair legs caught on the edge of the rug and she toppled sideways, chair and all!
“Wow!” shouted Freddie as he and the others jumped up in surprise.
“Are you all right?” Bert asked, helping up his twin.
Nan blushed, then grinned as she sat down again. “I guess I’m not so lucky after all!”
The children were ready to leave the table when Aunt Sarah came into the room with tiny favors for each one. They eagerly opened their packages and filled the room with sighs and exclamations.
“This is the most wonderful party I’ve been to!” Patty cried. “I hope you Bobbseys come to Meadowbrook again soon!”
“We will! We will!” the twins chorused.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS®
1. THE BOBBSEY TWINS OF LAKEPORT
2. THE BOBBSEY TWINS’ ADVENTURE IN THE COUNTRY
3. THE BOBBSEY TWINS: THE SECRET AT THE SEASHORE
4. THE BOBBSEY TWINS’ MYSTERY AT SCHOOL
5. THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND THE MYSTERY AT SNOW LODGE
6. THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT
7. THE BOBBSEY TWINS’ MYSTERY AT MEADOWBROOK
8. THE BOBBSEY TWINS’ BIG ADVENTURE AT HOME
9. THE BOBBSEY TWINS’ SEARCH IN THE GREAT CITY
10. THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND
11. THE BOBBSEY TWINS’ MYSTERY ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA
12. THE BOBBSEY TWINS’ ADVENTURE IN WASHINGTON
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The Bobbsey Twins' Adventure in the Country Page 11
