Page 105 - An Amateur Fireman

Then Seth gave a detailed account of the encounter with the would-be detective, and when he had concluded
the recital 'Lish Davis looked around at his companions as if waiting to hear their comments before he
expressed an opinion.

"You ought'er lit right out on him," Jerry Walters cried warmly. "He thinks you won't fight, an' will keep on
makin' trouble for you till he learns that it ain't safe."

"Don't listen to such advice, Seth," the captain added quickly. "You did perfectly right, and are to be praised
for it, more particularly since the temptation must have been very great."

Then the men began what finally grew into a heated discussion, as to how the boy should have acted under
such provoking circumstances, and not until it was brought to a close did 'Lish Davis give his opinion.

"I'm allowing that you can't afford to raise a brawl, Amateur," he said, deliberately. "If that imitation detective
'mounted to anything the case might be different, and though I'm free to say that every man or boy should
defend himself when it's necessary, there's no wisdom in raising a disturbance while it's possible to walk on.
The trouble is that too many of us are apt to think we can't get away from what appears to be a bad scrape
without coming to blows; but in nine cases out of ten that isn't the truth."

"But what am I to do 'bout this money he borrowed from Joe Carter?" Seth asked as the driver ceased
speaking.

"I can't see that you've got any call to disturb yourself. Write and tell the boy in Philadelphia that the imitation
detective had no authority to borrow money in your name, and let that settle it."

This did not appear to Seth the proper course, for he felt that he was in a certain sense bound to prevent Joe
Carter from losing anything by being thus confiding; but yet he would not have questioned the driver's
decision.

"It's mighty aggravating, Amateur, I'm free to confess," 'Lish Davis added as he noted the expression on the
boy's face; "but you must remember that the poorest way to settle a difficulty is by fighting. When you're
where it's got to be done in order to save yourself from being hurt or robbed, then put up your hands like a
man, first making certain there's no other way out. If it's all the same to you, I'm counting on toddling down to
Tenth Street to-night."

"Do you mean that I'm goin' to school now?"

"I reckon the time has come when you may as well begin. Jerry Walters and me have made the trade, so after
you've slicked up a bit, drop in here and we'll start."

"All right, sir," Seth cried as he hurried away to make ready for what he knew must be a trying ordeal. He
understood that he was remarkably ignorant for one of his years, and had an idea that every pupil in the school
would make sport of him.

When the amateur fireman arrived at his lodgings he found his roommates awaiting him, and in the fewest
possible words made known Sam Barney's misdemeanor, producing Joe Carter's letter in proof of his
assertion.

It can well be imagined that both the boys were angry and surprised by the information, and Bill insisted that
all three set out at once in search of the offender.

"I've got to start in on school to-night, an' so I can't go," Seth replied mournfully.