Page 108 - An Amateur Fireman

considerably more than two hours each day to the lessons.

At school he made as much advancement as could have been expected, and really came to look forward with
pleasure upon his tasks there, for 'Lish Davis's remark as to the value of an education had not been forgotten.

Then came the day when he was summoned from the yard where he had been taking part in a drill with
ladders, to meet a stranger who handed him a printed document, the meaning of which he failed to understand
until Mr. Fernald explained that it was a subpoena, or, in other words, a command for him to appear in court
on the following morning to give evidence in the case of the State vs. Jipson Collins.

The officer who brought the summons stated that he had served a similar document upon Dan Roberts a few
hours previous, and cautioned Seth against failing to obey.

"I reckon they'll have to get along without me, 'cause I can't leave here," he replied, as if believing such an
excuse must be accepted by any fair-minded judge.

Then it was Mr. Fernald explained the nature of a subpoena, and Seth was decidedly surprised at learning that
he could, and probably would, be arrested if he refused to obey.

"There is no need of your coming here at all to-morrow," the old man said, "no matter how early you may get
out of court. You're needing a holiday, lad, and I'm glad of an excuse for giving you one."

Not until he returned from school that evening did Seth see his roommates, and then he found them in a high
state of excitement because of the approaching trial.

"Mr. Davis says he shall be there, an' the lawyer is to 'tend right out so's to say a good word for poor Jip when
the time comes," Seth hastened to state, and from that moment until it seemed absolutely necessary they
should retire, the boys discussed the probable fate of the firebug.

Next morning when Seth went to the engine-house to perform his customary task of blacking the men's boots,
Dan set out with him, saying as they left Mrs. Hanson's:

"If it wasn't for that Third Avenoo store I wouldn't go down-town to-day, till it was time for the trial to begin;
but I can't lose a whole mornin's work."

"That's the way to stick at it!" Seth cried approvingly. "How much money have you got laid up?"

"Three dollars an' five cents. Oh, I'm gettin' there, old man, though 'cordin' to the way things are workin' it'll
take quite a spell."

"You'll strike a rush some day, an' then it'll pile up in great shape. Stick at it, Dan."

"That's what I'm reckonin' on doin', an' say, Seth, if it don't cost too much, I'm goin' to 'tend out on school,
same's you do. Bill has 'greed to come into the snap, an' we'll make it lively all 'round."

"It won't cost you a cent; Mr. Davis says so."

"Then we'll begin to-night, but I don't want the fellers to know about it, 'cause they'd set up sich a terrible
howl."

Dan did not waste any more time in conversation, but hurried away to take advantage of the early demand for
papers, and 'Lish Davis said sagely when Seth had repeated the conversation to him: