Page 25 - An Amateur Fireman

"You didn't do anything of the kind, lad. We got back about four o'clock, and I found plenty of spare beds for
the short nap I wanted. I reckon you lost everything you owned, eh?"

"Yes, sir; but that wasn't very much. My box, brushes, and what we had brought home for breakfast."

"How will you get another outfit?"

"I guess I've got money enough for a second-hand box and brushes; but if I haven't some of the fellers will
lend me what's needed, an' I'm goin' now to pick up the things, so's to get back in time to do the shinin' here."

"There are brushes and blacking belonging to the house, and you can use them this morning, which will give
you a little extra towards buying a new outfit. Haven't been to breakfast yet, have you?"

"That don't count, even if we haven't, 'cause we can get something later," and Seth, knowing where to find the
tools of his trade, set about his customary morning's work, while Dan lounged here and there, feeling that he
was a very fortunate lad in thus being a guest of Ninety-four's men.

Half an hour later, in company with Dan, Seth, richer by thirty cents, set out in search of a second-hand box
and brushes.

Save in the way of questioning him concerning the boy who was believed to have started the fire in the
lumber-yard, none of the men treated the bootblack other than in their customary manner, and Seth departed
with the fear in his mind that they were glad to be rid of him.

No sooner had he gone, however, than 'Lish Davis addressed three or four of his comrades who were near at
hand, saying emphatically:

"Look here, that boy Seth is bent on getting into the Department, and I tell you when a lad sticks to one thing
as he's stuck to that for the last year, some one ought to lend him a hand."

"You ain't thinking of getting him taken on here, are you, 'Lish?" Walters asked with a laugh.

"I've got a plan in my head, and allow that the rest of you can help me through with it. If all hands of us turn
to we can get the boy a job at headquarters, and he ain't the lad I've taken him to be if he don't put himself in
the way of being received as a recruit when he's grown stouter and a little older. Now, such a lift as that won't
be much for us, and it may be the making of him."

"Do you allow it's a good idea, 'Lish Davis, to help a boy into the Department when he might learn a trade
which wouldn't be that of risking his life two or three times every day?"

"Would you turn tinker, or tailor, or candlestick-maker, Jerry Walters, in order to avoid risking your life two
or three times a day?"

"It's different with me, 'Lish. I've been here so long I couldn't give it up."

"And it would be almost as hard for that lad to give up his idea. I tried to frighten it out of him when he first
came around here; but he didn't scare worth a cent, and I tell you again that he'll make a cracking good man
for some company one of these days."

"If there's anything I can do to help the thing along, you may count me in," Walters replied, and the other
members of the company who heard the remark pledged themselves to the same thing.