Page 56 - An Amateur Fireman

promised us who run with Ninety-four, that if you behave yourself you shall have a chance to learn the drill,
and once that has been done, Amateur, you'll be in shape to join us as soon's you've got size to your body."

Big tears of delight stood in Seth's eyes as he stammered and hesitated in trying to give words to his gratitude,
and understanding what was in his mind, 'Lish Davis added:

"Never mind about trying to say anything, Amateur. We don't want thanks now, because we'll get them when
you show yourself the kind of a boy we've claimed you are. It's a case of your picking up points all the time;
but you'll have plenty of hard work, and mighty poor pay. You'll get two dollars a week and your grub. Later
I'm reckoning you can sleep in the building; but at the start it's a case of having a home elsewhere, and Mrs.
Hanson's house about fills the bill."

"Two dollars every week is big money," Seth managed to say.

"Not so much as it seems just now, because you'll need to come out a bit stronger in the way of clothes. We
can't afford to have you go there togged out the way you are, because we've said you were a kid that belonged
to us. All hands here have chipped in to buy a full suit like our own, with the exception of the brass buttons,
and you must take it as a present from us. There'll be no squirming on account of accepting the present,
otherwise you don't go on the new job. We'll have the togs ready in a couple of days, and from this out you'll
do no more shining 'round the town. Spend to-day and to-morrow in settling up your business, and then we'll
launch you into the berth from which you'll come out a fireman, if it so be you 'tend right close to work.
We've cracked you up mighty high, Amateur, and if you don't toe the mark it'll be the same as proving us
liars."

Again Seth tried to speak, and again he failed, whereupon 'Lish Davis said gruffly:

"I reckon you want time to think it over, Amateur. Take a spin 'round town closing out your boot-blacking
business, and flash up here this evening. Remember, there's to be no more running to fires except you get a
straight invitation from some of Ninety-four's men."

"Of course I'll black boots here same as I've allers done?" Seth said in a tremulous voice.

"It won't look well, Amateur, it won't look well."

"But I'd a good deal rather, Mr. Davis. You an' all hands here have been mighty good to me, an' there's no
other way I can show how I feel about it."

"You can keep your eyes wide open up to headquarters, and that'll do us more good than if you kept our boots
in a regular patent-leather polish all the time."

"Please let me do somethin' for you, Mr. Davis. I'll get on up at headquarters as fast as any feller can; but I
want to keep my job here so's to show how I feel on account of what you're doin' for me."

All the members of the company who were on the lower floor had listened to this conversation, and now,
when 'Lish Davis hesitated to give the desired permission, Ben Dunton cried:

"Let Amateur manoeuvre as he likes, 'Lish. I don't wonder he wants to do what he can, an' so long as he
doesn't black boots anywhere except here, I can't see that it'll work any harm."

"All right, Amateur," Mr. Davis said after a brief hesitation; "you shall do as Ben thinks is right, though there
must be no more of that business outside of this house, 'cause you've just the same as begun to hatch into a
fireman, and we can't afford to have it said we couldn't ante up enough to keep you going."