Page 129 - An Amateur Fireman

CHAPTER XVII.

THE BLOW-OUT.

Much to Dan's disappointment, Seth could not go down-town on this first evening after having distinguished
himself in the Department.

When 'Lish Davis heard what Mr. Fernald had said he insisted on having a long and confidential chat with the
boy, and it was not concluded until a very late hour in the evening.

"The time has now come, kid, when you're the same as one of us, and we of Ninety-four who counted on
giving you such a boost have been cheated out of it by what you did for yourself," the driver began gravely,
and in a tone sufficiently loud for the other members of the company to hear. "From this out you're in the
Department, and we have no fear but that in due course of time you'll be assigned to some company--this one,
if we can have our way. Now, there's a question of money to come up precious soon, for we here have got the
idee that the city won't pay wages while you're under instruction."

"Of course, we may be in the wrong as to that, but if we ain't, how'll you live? That's what we've asked
ourselves, and this is the way we answer it: Every man in the Department looks on you as Ninety-four's kid,
and we can't allow anything that would go against our credit, consequently you have got to turn to us for
support till you're under wages. We'll assess ourselves so much every month, and charge it up to you in reg'lar
fashion so it can be paid back some time. Now, you're to make no kick, for we've settled it once and for all."

"Why couldn't I black boots at odd times?" Seth asked, pleadingly.

"Because there won't be any 'odd times' in the first place, and secondly we're not minded to have it said we
couldn't see you through. Can't you understand that we're looked on by them as are in the Department as your
father, or guardeen, or something of that kind, and it's our own credit we're bound to uphold? How would it
look for a fireman to be around blackin' boots? And that's what you are this very minute, even though you
haven't had an appointment."

Then one member of the company after another gave his views on the subject, until it would have been rank
ingratitude had Seth refused the generous proposition.

It was agreed to by all that a strict account should be kept of the amounts advanced, and he be allowed to
repay the company at the earliest opportunity after he was under salary.

When this matter had been settled by Seth's promise to take such sums of money as he needed, and "look
pleasant about it," the men discussed his future, and spoke of the time when he would be running with
Ninety-four, until it did not require a very great stretch of the imagination for the boy to fancy himself already
a member of the company.

On reaching Mrs. Hanson's he found his roommates awake, and grumbling because he had not returned
sooner.

"I s'pose we shan't see very much of you now you're gettin' so high up in the Department, eh?" Dan said in a
tone of ill-humor.

"You'll see me all my spare time, providin' you an' Bill still agree to go to school, 'cause I've got to duf into
study in great shape now, an' we'll be together every evening."

"Got to do it now? What else has come up?"