course you can't expect any promise of a place in the
Department till you've got more years on your head; but we've struck a
plan which will work all right if you're the lad I've always taken you
to be."

Seth was literally breathless now. It would have been impossible for him
to speak, and seeing how great was the suspense Mr. Davis added quickly:

"We've got a job for you up at headquarters. You'll be called on to
sweep floors, wash windows, build fires, and do odd jobs generally; but
at the same time you'll be in what's called the general school of
instruction--where the men who want to get into the Department are put
on probation, so to speak. It's been promised us who run with
Ninety-four, that if you behave yourself you shall have a chance to
learn the drill, and once that has been done, Amateur, you'll be in
shape to join us as soon's you've got size to your body."

Big tears of delight stood in Seth's eyes as he stammered and hesitated
in trying to give words to his gratitude, and understanding what was in
his mind, 'Lish Davis added:

"Never mind about trying to say anything, Amateur. We don't want thanks
now, because we'll get them when you show yourself the kind of a boy
we've claimed you are. It's a case of your picking up points all the
time; but you'll have plenty of hard work, and mighty poor pay. You'll
get two dollars a week and your grub. Later I'm reckoning you can sleep
in the building; but at the start it's a case of having a home
elsewhere, and Mrs. Hanson's house about fills the bill."

"Two dollars every week is big money," Seth managed to say.

"Not so much as it seems just now, because you'll need to come out a bit
stronger in the way of clothes. We can't afford to have you go there
togged out the way you are, because we've said you were a kid that
belonged to us. All hands here have chipped in to buy a full suit like
our own, with the exception of the brass buttons, and you must take it
as a present from us. There'll be no squirming on account of accepting
the present, otherwise you don't go on the new job. We'll have the togs
ready in a couple of days, and from this out you'll do no more shining
'round the town. Spend to-day and to-morrow in settling up your
business, and then we'll launch you into the berth from which you'll
come out a fireman, if it so be you 'tend right close to work. We've
cracked you up mighty high, Amateur, and if you don't toe the mark it'll
be the same as provin