Earthquake in the Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne Read Free Book Online Page B

wonder
why
we have to find these special writings for Morgan’s library,” said Jack. “How are they going to save Camelot?”
    â€œI don’t know,” said Annie. “But let’s get going so we can solve the mystery. Where’s our research book?”
    They looked around the tree house.
    Their Pennsylvania book, the book that always brought them home, was lying in the corner. Beside it was another book. Annie picked it up.
    â€œThis is it,” she said softly. She showed the book’s cover to Jack. It said:
    SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, 1906
    â€œCalifornia?”
said Jack. “I’ve always wanted to go to California.”

    â€œMe too,” said Annie. She laughed. “I guess I told Miss Neely the truth after all.”
    â€œYeah,” said Jack, smiling.
    The magic tree house had taken them to a pioneer school in their last adventure. There, Annie had told the teacher, Miss Neely, that they were on their way to California.
    Annie pointed at the cover of the California book.
    â€œWe
really
wish we could go there,” she said.
    The wind started to blow.
    The tree house started to spin.
    It spun faster and faster.
    Then everything was still.
    Absolutely still.

“Nice clothes,” said Annie.
    Jack opened his eyes.
    Annie was wearing a blue-and-white dress with a big sailor collar and white stockings.
    Jack was wearing brown knee-length pants, a jacket, a cap, and a tie. His backpack had become a leather bag. He and Annie both wore short lace-up boots.
    A church bell started to ring.
    Gong. Gong. Gong. Gong. Gong.
    â€œIt rang five times,” said Jack. “It must be five in the morning.”
    â€œYeah,” said Annie. She was looking out the window.
    Jack looked with her. The early-morning air felt fresh and cool.
    The tree house had landed in a tree at the bottom of a hill. Painted wooden houses andgaslights lined a quiet cobblestone street. A trolley car moved along tracks up the street. It rounded the top of the hill and disappeared.
    Tall buildings towered farther off. The sun was behind them, making pink streaks in the blue sky.

    â€œIt’s really pretty here,” said Annie.
    â€œYeah,” said Jack.
    He opened the research book and read:
    On Wednesday, April 18, 1906, San Francisco was the biggest city on the west coast of the United States. It had a population of half a million people. It was also one of the loveliest cities in the country.
    Jack pulled out his notebook. He wrote:

    â€œLet’s go!” Annie said impatiently.
    Jack looked back at the book. He wanted to learn more.
    â€œNow,”
said Annie. She took the book and notebook away from him and put them into his leather bag. “Let’s not waste any more time.”
    Annie left the tree house.
    â€œDoing research is
not
wasting time,” Jack called after her.
    But he slung his bag over his shoulder and followed Annie down the rope ladder. When they had both stepped onto the grass, Jack looked around.
    â€œWhere to?” he said.
    â€œAnywhere!” said Annie. “Let’s just explore and see the sights. We can be tourists.”
    â€œOkay,” said Jack. “But don’t forget we have to find the writing for Morgan’s library.”
    They started up the cobblestone street. Asthey walked up the steep hill, the sun rose above the tall buildings.
    The early light turned everything to gold: stones, streetlamps, and the glass windows of the silent houses.
    â€œIt’s so quiet and peaceful,” said Annie.
    â€œYeah, everyone must still be sleeping,” said Jack.
    Suddenly, out of the quiet came a deep rumbling noise.
    Jack stopped. He grabbed Annie’s arm.
    â€œWhat’s that?” he said.
    The noise got louder. It sounded like thunder coming from under the ground.
    The earth started shaking.

    Church bells clanged wildly.
    The whole street began to move. The cobblestones rolled like waves on the