Page 72 - An Amateur Fireman

CHAPTER X.

AT HEADQUARTERS.

When he first saw Seth in his new uniform a certain feeling of envy came into Dan Roberts's heart; but he was
not a fellow who could give himself up to this kind of thoughts very long, and within a few moments all that
had passed away, leaving in its stead rejoicings that his partner had taken such rapid strides toward the desired
end.

Before they had gained the seclusion of their own room Dan was his old self once more, and from that
moment it is safe to say he was never again envious of Seth's good fortune, but sufficiently wise to profit by
his partner's example.

When they entered the house, Mrs. Hanson, who must have been informed by 'Lish Davis of the expected
change in Seth's condition, came to the door to see the boy in his uniform, and when she ceased her words of
praise his cheeks were glowing red.

"You'll cut a terrible swath down-town to-morrow morning," Dan said sagely when they were alone. "Here's a
woman that never saw either of us till yesterday, an' she goes pretty nigh crazy over the way you look. I
reckon Sam Barney would have a reg'lar fit if he should run up against you now."

To Seth's mind there was nothing wrong in admiring himself, or listening to words of praise from others, and
he enjoyed to the utmost these speculations of his partner until Master Roberts, wearied of gazing at the
amateur fireman, hinted broadly that if there was to be a spread set out in honor of the uniform, now was the
time to "start her goin'."

"How much did that lay-out cost you last night?"

"Twenty-three cents."

"That's pretty stiff to pay for one supper; but it ain't every day I get a uniform, an' I guess I can stand it this
once. We shan't spread ourselves in the same way ag'in, though," Seth said thoughtfully, speaking half to
himself, and then taking some coins from his pocket, he added, "You go out and buy the stuff. I'll wait here."

"Why don't you come with me?"

"I'm 'fraid if Ninety-four's men should see me they'd think I was runnin' 'round swellin'."

"Well, s'posen they should? Haven't you got the right? Wouldn't most any feller who's got as near into the
Department as you have?"

"Mr. Davis said I was to go down-town to-morrow mornin', an' perhaps that's all he thought I ought'er do, so
I'll hang on here instead of goin' out ag'in."

Dan was not averse to making the purchases, and so deeply occupied was Seth with pleasant thoughts that it
seemed to him Master Roberts had no more than left the room before he returned laden with packages.

As on the previous night he was accompanied by Bill Dean, who exclaimed in a tone of satisfaction as he
entered the room:

"It seems like as if I'm allers 'round when you fellers are puttin' up swell lay-outs, don't it?" Then getting a full
view of Seth for the first time he cried in an accent of unquestionable admiration, "Well, I'll be jiggered! Dan