Page 57 - An Amateur Fireman

Seth was delighted at receiving such permission, for by thus being allowed to work for Ninety-four's men it
was as if he occupied a definite place among them; whereas if this had been denied it would have seemed
almost as if he had been cast out.

He blacked every pair of boots he could find, and at first refused to take pay for the labor; but 'Lish Davis
prevented such gratuitous work by saying sternly:

"Take your pay like a man, Amateur, and look pleasant about it. There'll be no chance for you to handle the
city's money until after being at headquarters a month, and in the meantime you've got to pay your bills. I did
count on lending you enough to pull through on; but perhaps this will be the best way. What about that firebug
of yours? Has the imitation detective caught him yet?"

Seth told of Bill Dean's plan to prevent Sam from working mischief, and the story caused the men to laugh
heartily.

"That boy Bill must have quite a head on his shoulders," 'Lish Davis said when his mirth had so far subsided
that it was possible for him to speak. "You can tell the firebug that he'd better give this section of the city a
wide berth for a spell, and if he walks a chalk-line it may be he won't be troubled about that crime of his. If he
should get funny in that way again, however, we'll bring this case up in a jiffy, and he'll get a long taste of
prison life."

"Then you will keep the officers from arrestin' him?" Seth asked eagerly.

"I didn't say that, Amateur. It may happen that he won't be troubled while he does what is right; but there's
been no promises made."

When Seth had finally finished the work of blacking boots to his satisfaction, he put the box and brushes away
upstairs, and approaching 'Lish Davis, said in a whisper:

"You've been awful good to me, an' I promise you shan't be sorry for it."

"I believe you, Amateur, I believe you, else I wouldn't have turned a hand in the business, even though you
did do me a precious good turn the other night. You're now in a fair way to get into the Department; but from
this out it all depends upon yourself. Keep moving as you've been doing since I first saw you, and it'll come
out all right in the long run."

Then Seth left the building on his way down-town, and it is safe to say that in all the city of New York there
was not another as happy as he, for it seemed just then as if the goal he had set himself was very near at hand.