Page 102 - An Amateur Fireman

"Here's what the address says," and the young man held the envelope in such a manner that both the boy and
his instructor could see the superscription:

"Seth Bartlett, fireman up at headquarters, New York."

Seth made no attempt to take the missive until Mr. Fernald asked quite sharply:

"Why don't you take it? There's no other of that name here so far as I know."

"I never had a letter, an' it can't be for me."

"You're the only Seth Bartlett in the building, and it must belong to you," the messenger said impatiently,
whereat he threw the missive toward Seth and went his way.

Not until Mr. Fernald had peremptorily ordered the boy to open the letter in order to see if it was intended for
him, did the amateur as much as touch the soiled envelope; but after having torn it open the expression on his
face told that the writer was not a stranger.

This is what Seth read in ill-formed letters, many of them occupying the depth of two lines, some in written
and others in printed characters:

"Seth Bartlett, fireman up at headquarters.

DEER SETH:

"Sam Barney struck this town the other day, an' borrowed a dollar off er me. You know my folks stopped here
on the way to Baltimore, an' I've been tryin' to earn a little money so's to see me threw. I'm in Philadelphy, an'
Sam cum over here with a big stiff 'bout how you an' Bill Dean had cent him to hunt for Jip Collins. He was
broke an' ced if I'd let him have money enuf to git home you or Bill would pay it back. It's been most a week
sence he was here an' I ain't heard from you. Why don't you send the good dollar I put up to help you along.
I'm livin' at 1451-1/2 Filbert Street an' want my stuff.

"Yours till deth shal part us,

"JOE CARTER."

"So the letter is for you, even though you never received one before?" Mr. Fernald quietly remarked as Seth,
having read the lines after considerable difficulty, refolded the paper and returned it to the envelope.

"Yes, sir, an' it's from a feller in Philadelphy. I don't reckon you know who Jip Collins is; but this has got
somethin' to do with his business."

As he spoke Seth unfolded the paper and handed it to his instructor, who, after deciphering it, quite naturally
asked for an explanation.

"If you owe this boy money, send it to him at once, for people who do not pay their bills are in bad odor up
here."

"I never borrowed a cent of him," Seth cried indignantly, and then he told Mr. Fernald the whole story.

The old instructor appeared to be amused by the recital, and when it was concluded asked if Seth wanted leave
of absence to straighten the matter out.