Page 80 - An Amateur Fireman

Jerry Walters tried to persuade Seth that he had better not attempt to do so much, particularly at the outset; but
it could readily be told from the expression on the boy's face that he was not convinced, and Mr. Walters
refrained from making further efforts in that line.

After answering a few more questions and promising to visit the engine-house on the following evening, Seth,
feeling even more tired than he looked, set out for home, and Mr. Walters said to his comrades:

"That kid will work himself down to skin an' bones for the sake of tryin' to show he's thankful for the lift
we've given him, and as for making his way into the Department, why, there ain't a ghost of a show that he'll
fail."

And every member of the company appeared to share Jerry's opinion regarding the matter.

When Seth arrived at Mrs. Hanson's he found Bill Dean and Dan making ready to retire, and the latter cried in
a joyful tone:

"I'm mighty glad you've come, Seth. Bill an' me was jest figgerin' that they'd fixed it up to have you sleep
there nights."

"There wasn't anythin' said about that, and I reckon they don't want boys 'round," the amateur fireman replied
gloomily, and Bill asked in surprise:

"Why, what's the matter, old man? Ain't gettin' discouraged so soon, are you?"

"I reckon it'll be all right after a spell, an' I wouldn't want any of Ninety-four's men to know that I wasn't jest
as chipper as a sparrer; but things are different up there from what they are down here. They jest set you to
work an' let you keep hummin' without sayin' a word. I don't believe a single one of 'em has spoke to me since
Mr. Davis went away."

"What you been doin'?"

"Cleanin' windows; an' I tell you they're so big that one of 'em makes considerable work. I hung on to it till I'd
finished all on that floor, even though they told me to go home at six o'clock."

"What are you goin' to do to-morrow?"

"I don't know. Anythin' that comes up, I s'pose."

"Didn't they give you any lessons in the school?"

"I haven't even seen it yet. There might have been a hundred men 'round there practisin' for all I'd know,
'cause I was in the front of the buildin'."

"Why, I thought you'd go right to work learnin' to be a fireman," Dan said in surprise.

"Mr. Davis never allowed anythin' like that. He said after a spell, when I'd showed 'em I could 'tend to
business, I might get a show; but you see, it ain't anyways certain that they'll do what Ninety-four's men have
been countin' on. I've got to take the chances, you know, and work my way in."

Both Dan and Bill were disappointed by this report. They had fancied certain tasks might be required of Seth;
but firmly believed he would be given instructions at once.