The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-08

| the beds. Another jump TO the Suu4Al6
rods and quick as a fash they were
down stairs in front of their engines.
After the first stroke of the bell there
is a wait of four seconds. The cher IS
down the pole his coat is on. He gIances
at the men.
.'Klang!" The horses are in their
places and the men in theirs
s'Klang!" The harness has dropped
the lines are snapped and the rack
which held the harness has swung up
to the ceiling.
s.F[Iang!'' The chiefs horse is hitch
ed and he Chamber into the wagon Ihe
number on the indicator reads -. The
men are waiting, for if it rings again
it is out of their district and they do not
go. The drivers are in their seats and
watching the indicator.
'fKIangl'' The headquarters COM
panies are left unless a second alarm
comes in. The indicator has gone up
to IA.
IT'S fourteen" says one of the men
to the chief.
All right?" he asks as he glances
at the indicator to make sure.
Yes" and a nod.
Everyone is as cool as If a buggy ride
was in store instead of a run The men,
and the horses, too, perhaps, look
little disappointed because they are not
Come Ban. "saysthe chief to the little
horse which has carried him true and
steady to many a fire in all kinds OF
weather and all times of day and night
The intelligent animal must have
counted the strokes of the alarm for
without so much as pull on the line
the horse turns toward Kansas avenue
and trots up the hill. Just as he turns
north on Kansas avenue the chief, and
the horse for that matter, look down the
avenue.
It's a clear start Come Ban" calls
the chief. His foot strikes the lever of
the gong and a merry clang, cIang,
clang. clang sounds as a warning that
the street must be cleared. Within a
hundred feet the little horse is getting
down to his work. The bell is ringing
and the chief is looking intently ahead.
With a clatter and rumble they have
passed the car tracks and intersection
of stone paving at Sixth avenue The
stout little wagon SWayS a little but the
horse is running steadily and as the
wheels strike the smooth asphalt pave
ment again the red geared wagon is
running as smoothly as a rubber tire
carriage.
There's a wagon Just starting to leave
the side of the street but a series Of ex-
ira strokes of the gong and the driver
pulls back his team as-Whlzz! and the
chief is past and going down the Fifth
street hill toward the river. At Fourth
street a delivery wagon suddenly turns
right into the street. Without the chief
pulling on the lines Ban eases up and
the breeding is tight, ready for a quick
stop. The chiefs right foot reaches for
the brake and his left keeps the gong
working. The driver of the delivery
wagon peeks around the side in an idle
ton is about and why everyone isyelling
at him.
He sees. He hears. He comprehends.
He get out of the way Just in time to
see a streak as the tugs are taut again
and the chief whirls by. There's
chime of bells to the east. The hose reel
and ladder truck from NO. 8 on Jefferson
street are coming up Third street A
buggy is standing right across the ave-
nue. at the foot of the hill directly in
the road of the chief. The occupants
are watching the reel and truck coming
up Third street with never a thought
that they are blocking the whole thor
Oughfare.
The CHIEFS gong beats a merrier tat
too than ever. the brake is on and the
horse lying back on his launches but
the driver and the horse know each
other A deft turn to the right to miss
the buggy, another turn to the left to
give the three horse team of the ladder
truck room to turn and away they go
with a straight. clear stretch before
them. The chief is on the west side of
the street and the three horses of the
truck, running even and well together
as if they were one instead of three.
on the east side. The man on the rear
seat turns the rear wheels straight onto
the avenue, the reel swings in behind
and the two vehicles are pounding down
the street at a break neck speed.
Come. Ban is the only urging the
chief gives and the little bay strains
every muscle to attain greater speed.
wen show them our heels" says
the chief and his wagon steadily gains
on the three big horses.
They are past Second street now and
the bridge is in sight. No stacking up
as the chief turns in front of the truck
and onto the bridge The three are out
in line and over the bridge they go.
1t is a wonderful sight to see the three
horses of the ladder truck coming along
behind The driver has them as we'll in
hand as If he were driving one instead
of a trio and they are doing their best.
No Sinking and no need for a whip.
They are over the bridge and thr1np
over the tracks they go. The sidewalks
are lined with people watching the run.
On they go, running as steadily as ever
There's a fireman from station No l.
where the alarm was turned in stand
ing in the middle of the street waving
his hands signalling the chief to stop.