The Washington times., 1902-02-09

the laddies are very enthusiastic over
their new work. Their life is a monotonous
one at best. and this profitable diversion
was welcomed heartily. One night of
every week Mr. Riordon holds a class in
the dormitory of Truck d. Mr.. Charles
Hart does the same for the boys at Com
pany H. These were the companies
selected by Chief Engineer r. w. Dut-
ton. who with Foreman Nicholson, of
Truck ID. Foreman James Kelleher. of
Company IA. and others have been of the
greatest assistance to the teachers.
Probably all companies will have classes
next year
AT the weekly class meetings lessons
are heard, explained, and new ones given
out for the ensuing week. Typewriter
work has been given, each of the houses
being furnished with machine by the
schools, and the men have become pro-
ficient in this branch. The foremen or
these two Washington fire companies are
perhaps the only ones in the country who
send in their daily reports typewriter.
The studies taken up are necessarily
made uneven by the different grades OF
education attained by the men. But for
all that good work is being done. ami
here. as at the parents school, the in
fiuence extends to the children in man
ner most gratifying to the teachers.
Assisted by the Kid.
The laddies go home now with keener
interest in their children's schoolwork;
their is rivalry at homes, and often the
sturdy firefighter is helped out by the
kid" One of the best firemen in Wash
ington showed an instructor the other
night how his little girl had been explain
ing his work in fractions to him.
Besides schoolbooks there are others
used in dealing with the firemen. Bits
from the best authors are read to them,
and always the book is left with them for
any further reading they may desire. The
art of getting the best out of the news
papers is attempted, and discussions on
important topics of the times encouraged.
The men like all this. but to make their
visits more eagerly desired, II possible,
the teachers give entertainments at least
once month. They bring friends, who
have talent in music or other means of
entertaining, and SO vary the round of
the fireman's Saturday nights.
Here. as in the parents school, the
teacher also is taught and amused, .or
the firemen sometimes 20 through the fire
drill for his benefit. explaining all their
apparatus. Then, too, something is al
ways liable to happen. One night. obou.
a week ago, school was going on upstairs
at Truck d. Assistant Chief Kurtz was
tneTe, FOREMAN NICHOLSON was tncre, anu
a dozen more sturdy redcoats. The COM
pany had gathered about the centre table
and were intent on fractions.
An Interruption.
Suddenly that deep-toned song struck,
and the echoes vibrated throuSn the long.
low dormitory.
Thirty seconds later Mr. Riordon sat
staring blankly in front of him at the
little hole through the floor, listening to
his humping heart-alone. There had
been hurried rush across the noor, figure
after figure glided down the pole, the !
stamp of impatient horses, the rumble Of
a great truck.
The teacher concluded TO call this ie-
cess, and went on with the fractions
solitaire, his mind on other matters.
After 4 short run his pupils came back |
more ready for the study of numbers |
than the excited teacher.