Bobbsey. "My business is
now in good shape, and I can come back here if there is any call for me."
"Oh, let's all go back to Lakeport!" cried Freddie. "Maybe then we can
have a goat, Flossie."
"Oh, may we, Mother?" the little girl demanded.
"I'll buy 'em a goat--two goats--if this news proves true," said Mr.
Whipple. "Oh, I do hope I have found my brother!"
"How did he get lost?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey.
"It happened when my sister and I were very little children. John was
somewhat older. Our parents died, and distant relatives, living far away
from our home, took charge of my sister and me. John, who was a half-grown
boy, stayed with the family of a neighboring farmer, who had been friends
of our parents, and the relatives took my sister and me away with them.
"Shortly after this the farmer lost his money, his farm, everything, and
soon after moved away, taking John with them. News of this did not come
for some time to our relatives, and when it did and they began a search
for John, all trace of him was lost. They learned that the farmer had died
in a public hospital in a strange city, and all trace of his widow and
John was lost right there.
"When I became old enough, I started to look for John, but could not find
him. My sister could not, either, though lately she heard he was in
California, but it was not true. And so, for many years, we have been
trying to find John Whipple. And at last I know where he is!"
"Let us hope Uncle Jack is your brother," said Mr.
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