Page 53 - An Amateur Fireman

Master Roberts was busily engaged displaying his purchases on the table in such a manner as to make the
greatest possible show, and there was no question but that he had succeeded in "layin' himself out in great
shape."

Fully a pound of bologna sausage cut in thick slices, four large crullers, two smoked herrings, two ham
sandwiches, a pint of peanuts, and four apples caused the shaky table to look as if literally laden with dainties.

Dan pushed it toward the bed, that one of the party might sit there, placed the two chairs at either end, and
invited his companions to join in the feast.

"Pitch in an' fill yourselves way up full! This is the first swell house I ever lived in, an' I'm willin' to pay for
style. After this I reckon Seth an' me will skin along for grub same's we've allers done, but I'm goin' to have
one blow-out if it takes every cent I've got."

No second invitation was needed, and not until a goodly portion of the eatables had disappeared did either
speak. Then it was Bill Dean who broke the partial silence.

"Say, I've raised money enough to send Sam Barney to Philadelphy, if you fellers come up with the nickels
you promised."

"How much will it cost?" and Dan began searching his pockets for the contribution which had been promised
in his name.

"I can get the duffer over there for seventy-five cents, by sendin' him with the emigrants. I gave him a big stiff
this afternoon 'bout how we fellers would give him a chance to show how much of a detective he is, an' he
puffed 'way up, allowin' there wasn't many men on the force in this town who could beat him. He believes it's
a great snap to go off huntin' after Jip, an' hasn't got head enough to think of how he'll get back."

"Here's my nickel," and Seth produced the money, Dan following his partner's example. "I'll be glad if we can
get rid of Sam; but I'm 'fraid that won't settle things for Jip."

Then he repeated all 'Lish Davis had said regarding the matter, and when he concluded Master Dean was
looking remarkably serious.

"If the firemen are goin' to run Jip down, there ain't much show we can keep him out er trouble. Don't you
s'pose the driver would kind-er help somehow?"

"From what he said this afternoon it didn't seem as if he would, but perhaps he'll change his mind after a
while," Dan replied, not minded to cloud this first merry-making in the new home by disagreeable thoughts,
and attempted to change the subject of the conversation by speculating as to what sort of a welcome Sam
Barney was most likely to receive from the Philadelphia boys.

"They'll think he's a mighty good feller till he lets out strong on what he can do in the detective business, an'
then they'll tumble to him," Bill Dean replied with the air of one who has closed an argument finally. "So long
as he leaves town we needn't bother our heads about him; it's Jip I'm thinkin' of, an' it seems to me as if we
ought'er see him mighty soon."

"Why?" Dan asked in surprise.

"Because he must know what 'Lish Davis says, else he's likely to knock 'round Ninety-four's house 'most any
time."