Page 85 - An Amateur Fireman

"Yes, sir," Seth replied promptly and decisively.

"You seem to be pretty certain of it."

"So I am, sir, 'cause I'll get there after a time if I work hard."

"You will for a fact, my son, if you believe it as firmly as you seem to. How much have you seen of the
building so far?"

"I've only been in the room where I was workin' yesterday."

"Come up into the gymnasium with me. I'm running things in that quarter, an' it might be we can work you in
with better profit there, than at window-washing."

It was as if Seth's heart gave a great bound just then, for in the gymnasium was begun the first of the fireman's
lessons, and if he should be so fortunate as to be set at work there it seemed that advancement must
necessarily be rapid.

Even though he had had less reason of wishing to be occupied in this portion of the building, he could not but
have been delighted when he entered the well-appointed place, and he gazed around in what was very like an
ecstasy of joy until suddenly aroused by the voice of this new acquaintance.

"Do you think you could keep things in proper shape here? There's plenty of work to be done, and at present
we are getting none of the best."

"I'd like to have a chance to try, sir."

"Very well; I'll see to the red tape of the business down-stairs and in the meanwhile do you set about doing
whatever you think is necessary. If 'Lish Davis wasn't mistaken, I'll see to it you get all the instruction in this
portion of the building that you can stagger under, and it may be we'll put a little more muscle into you 'twixt
now and the next few months."

Then, without having specified what it was he wished Seth to busy himself with, the gray-haired man turned
to leave the gymnasium, when he suddenly stopped and asked sharply:

"Have you been to breakfast?"

"No, sir; I was told that I'd get my grub here."

"Then why didn't you 'tend to it when you first came in?"

"'Cause I met you, sir."

"I suppose you hadn't thought you might be needing something to eat?"

"It would have been no great matter, sir. I've got along until noon a good many days without anythin', an' can
do it again."

"There's no need of that here, my son. Remember to get your meals on time, for regularity of habits,--although
that will become a luxury if you are ever made a fireman,--regularity of habits is quite as necessary for the
strength and building up of your body as any exercise you can take here. So far as possible eat at the same
hour each day; go to bed early, get up early, and at all times see to it that your body is properly cared for.