Two Boys in Wyoming | Page 4

ranch."
"There can't be any doubt about it; but how much more providential it
will be if we are sent to learn all that should be learned about it! I
wonder if that can be brought about?"
Enough has been told for the reader to understand the plot formed by
these two youths. There could be no question of the grand treat it would

prove to both, provided their parents could be persuaded to take the
same view of the matter; there was the rub.
Jack crossed his legs and thoughtfully scratched his head.
Unconsciously Fred did the same.
"It's a tougher problem than we ever attacked in Euclid," remarked the
younger. Then a bright thought struck him.
"Don't I look a little pale, Jack?"
"You look as if a month's vacation in the autumn would be acceptable;
but the fact is, Fred, I never saw you look better than you do this
minute."
Fred sighed.
"I am afraid I can't work that on father. He's too good a doctor for me to
worry him about my health."
"How about me?"
Fred shook his head.
"You look as strong as an oak knot, and you are, too; no, we can't make
them think we are in need of a month in Wyoming. We shall have to try
another tack. Now, there is no doubt that if we spend the month of
September putting in extra work on our studies, we can stand the
following month in laying off. We shall come back with new vigor and
appetite, and soon catch up with our class."
"There isn't a particle of doubt about that, but it still remains that we
must convince our fathers that it will be a wise course to send us away
from home. We can't do it by looking pale and weak, for we can't look
pale and weak. We must fix on something else or it's no go."
"Why not fall back on what we first talked about?"
"What's that?"

"Make your father think it will be a prudent thing for him to send you
out there to look after his property."
"Suppose I should convince him on that point, how about you?"
"You will need some one to look after you, and I'm just the fellow."
"We are both satisfied in our own minds; in fact we were from the first;
but our fathers are very hard-headed men."
Now, a couple of boys may be very shrewd, but it often happens that
their parents are a good deal shrewder, a fact which my young readers
will do well to remember.
Unsuspected by Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood, their parents read
on the instant the momentous problem which assumed form in the
brains of their sons. When the younger signalled to his chum to follow
him out of the room, the two gentlemen understood what it meant as
clearly as if they overheard all the conversation that followed. Waiting
until they were beyond hearing, Doctor Greenwood looked at his friend
and remarked, with a smile:
"They are hit hard."
"No doubt of it; their hearts are set on making a visit to the ranch, and it
would be singular if it were otherwise. We can feel for them, for we
were once boys."
"Yes, John, and it's longer ago than we like to recall. What do you think
of it?"
"You know we have always agreed that many parents injure their
children by undue indulgence."
"True, and we have been indulgent to ours, but not improperly so. A
great deal depends upon the children themselves. Jack and Fred are
obedient, studious, and have good principles. If we should say 'No' to
this scheme of theirs they would be disappointed, almost beyond what

we can understand, but neither would protest or sulk. They would study
just as hard as ever. It is that which appeals to us. If they were sullen
and dissatisfied we wouldn't care; but, John, you and I have each been
blessed with model sons, and they are entitled to privileges which it
would not be safe to grant to other boys. I confess I feel like sending
both out to Wyoming for an outing."
"Of course it would spoil the enjoyment of Jack unless he could take
Fred with him, but what excuse shall we make, Doc?"
How reluctant a father is to appear weak and too conciliatory toward
his child! These two men had virtually decided to grant the fervent
wish of their sons, but it must be done in a common-sense way. They
could not say "Boys, since you have set your hearts on this we grant it,"
but they must fix upon some scheme that would made it seem a
necessity that they should go thither.
And now observe how ludicrously similar their thoughts