Page 54 - An Amateur Fireman

"Why don't you hunt him up?"

"It's too late to tackle the job to-night; but what's to stop all three of us from goin' to the Erie Basin after Sam
Barney leaves town? Of course you're countin' on seein' him off?"

"I ought'er 'tend right out on business," Seth replied thoughtfully; "but perhaps I can waste time enough for
that."

"Course you can. If you don't get through with the shinin' at the engine-house as early as usual, I'll hold him
over till the next train. Then we can skip up to the Basin, an' be back in time to start in with the last editions of
the evenin' papers."

After some reflection and many misgivings as to whether he was warranted in devoting so much of his time to
others, Seth decided to do as Bill had suggested, and a place of meeting was agreed on.

Then Master Dean took his departure, after congratulating the partners on having found such pleasant
quarters, and reminding them for at least the tenth time that they had promised to ask Mrs. Hanson if she
would take another lodger.

When they were alone once more Seth set about clearing away the remnants of the feast, and while he was
thus employed Dan paced to and fro, admiring himself in the mirror as he passed and repassed it in such
attitudes as he believed befitted a boy who was the lessee of such a swell apartment.

Seth was not in a mood for conversation. The question in his mind was as to whether he was bettering or
weakening his chances for admission into the Department by thus occupying regular lodgings.

The argument was very equally balanced. In the first place, he had followed 'Lish Davis's advice, and by so
doing it hardly seemed as if he could go astray; but as opposed to this was the fact that he was not as likely to
be awakened by Ninety-four when she responded to an alarm, and, consequently, his opportunities for getting
points would scarcely be as good.

However, he settled the matter with himself finally by reflecting that he had already taken the step, and could
not well back out now after having agreed to occupy the apartment, therefore it was unwise to indulge in
misgivings.

There was no trouble in Dan's mind; he was thoroughly well satisfied with the situation, and instead of
discussing any possibilities, he congratulated Seth and himself very heartily.

"All this swellin' will cost us twenty-five cents a week, an' it stands us in hand to scoop the biggest good time
out of it we can. I'm goin' to turn in, for what's the use of payin' for a bed if you only get into it for the sake of
sleepin'? I want 'er lay awake a spell so's to know what a great racket I'm havin'."

He had made his preparations for retiring while Seth yet stood at the window looking out thoughtfully, and
once beneath the clothing cried excitedly:

"Say, hurry up an' get in here! This is the greatest snap I ever struck! It's twice as soft as what we slept in over
to Ninety-four's house, an' when trade is dull I'll come up here an' snooze all the time."

"You'll stand a good chance of goin' broke if you do," Seth replied with a laugh, and then he joined his
partner.

Dan was not able to remain awake very long for the purpose of realizing what a "great racket" he was having,