Page 58 - An Amateur Fireman

CHAPTER VIII.

JIP COLLINS'S RETREAT.

So excited was Seth by this sudden and unexpected change in his fortunes that he could not bring himself to
walk demurely down-town as he was in the custom of doing; but ran swiftly more than half the distance,
repeating to himself over and over again:

"I'm really goin' into the Department after all!"

He was so highly elated when he met Dan that the latter instantly understood something of the utmost
importance had transpired, and asked eagerly:

"What's flashed up on you, Seth? Got a big job?"

"Indeed I have! I'm goin' into the Department!"

"Wha--wha--what?"

"I'm goin' into the Department. Mr. Davis an' the rest of Ninety-four's men have got me a job up at
headquarters where I'll have a chance to learn all the business, an' then when I'm big enough, if my record is
all right, I'll slip in for a fireman as easy as winkin'."

"Look here, Seth, what kind of a stiff are you tryin' to give me?" Dan asked sharply.

"It's a straight tip, old man. Mr. Davis jest told me all about it, an' says I mustn't black boots any more except
for Ninety-four's men. He didn't even want me to do that; but I hung on till Mr. Dunton backed me up, an' he
finally gave in. Say, do you know they've bought a uniform for me jest like they wear, only there's no brass
buttons on it."

"Oh, go 'way, Seth. You've slipped your trolley."

"No, it's all straight goods, Dan. What kept me up there so long this mornin' was talkin' 'bout it. I'm to go
to-night and get the clothes. The only thing that worries me is I can't pay for them myself."

"Anybody'd think to hear you talk that was hard luck. Look here, Seth, if what you've been givin' me is
straight, you've struck a terrible snap, an' a feller who'd kick 'cause somebody gives him a suit of clothes,
ought'er go bare-backed."

"It would look a good deal better, Dan, if I had the money to buy the things, rather than let them give 'em to
me."

"I ain't so certain 'bout that. The biggest part of it is gettin' 'em, an' if they're willin' to put up I'd say let 'em
buy anythin' they wanted. Look here, I can't quite get it through my head that things is the way you tell, 'cause
it don't seem likely a boy could get in at headquarters."

Seth repeated to his partner all that 'Lish Davis had said, and when the story was concluded Master Roberts
commented on it in this fashion:

"You'll be out er sight, Seth; that's all there is to it!" Then, realizing how his brother news-venders might be
surprised, he added, "Come on quick, an' let's tell as many fellers as we can before we go to see Bill Dean ship
Sam Barney to Philadelphy!"