The Savannah morning news., 1902-07-27

Tie Wy eyes. L WdS dlIdlQ you were
dead when l saw EN- carry you out,
all still like. Do your eyes hurt much ?"
as Cross put back the bandage.
They smart some, but they'll be all
right in a couple of days. It's all part
OF the life!9
Dan had always been a little afraid
OF Cross, as one to be looked up to by
even the men. Here in the darkened
room the boy saw only Cross, the suf-
ferer.
It's going to be my life some day."
he volunteered-"t is if 1 can get
in Do you think l CAM" His earnest
face was aglow.
Cross smiled. IF enthusiasm were
all you are one of us now my boy"
Go Dan, the words "one of u.s. were
like music) But there is the civil
service and the pull, to say nothing of
the training school,"
The glow faded. "Dont you think
I've got a show?" he pleaded.
Cross laughed softly. you've got one
that's best of all, Dan. You have love
OF your work. The rest will come. How
old are your
Fourteen last month"
Plenty of time. You can't be exam
ned till you are 81. You will have to
be at least feet 7 inches and weigh
not less than 1876 pounds. You must be
able to show a common school educa-
ton and be familiar with the city
streets. For the rest, leave tobacco
and drinks alone, for a smokers heart
or taste for drink will bar you out
of the department, no matter what
your pull You have to be strong and
active, for some day other lives than
your own may depend on your strength
and skill"
Two days later Dan induced his IA
Their to let him joint a gymnasium. He
worked hard at the weights, resolutely
turning his back on the more attrac-
tive rings and swings till he had gain
ed muscle
Cigarette smoking was a habit he
had never acquired. At times he won
dered why Cross smoked while preach
ing against it. and one day the captain
caught look in Dams eye as the boy
turned over a package of tobacco for
which he had been sent. You don't
understand, do you, Dan, why l should
tell you not to smoke when l smoke
myself? Well, I'll tell you. When
you've gained your place, you'll be old
enough to smoke, but if you smoke now
you will never gain it. Better wait,
boy. and then If you want to smoke,
why smoke"
So Dan worked on, having ever in
mind the feet and the 1876 pounds.
When he was 16 he was obliged to
leave school and go to work. Backus,
the butcher, whose shop was across
the street from engine, gave him a
place as driver of the delivery cart.
When Buck, middle horse of No. 9s
team of blacks, grew too old for de-
partment service, Backus purchased
MIN at the auction sale, and great was
Dams pride at holding the reins over
veteran of the department.
Dams fondness for the fire depart
ment was known all over his district,
and it was Backus standing joke that
When second alarm sounded his GUS
toners were served with smoked beef
no matter what they had ordered.
Dan kept up the work in the gym
hasium, and between his open-air life
and the systematic exercise, he devel-
oped rapidly into a compactly built,
athletic young chap with clear, keen
eye and steady nerves. When No. 9
men were standing in front of the
mouse in pleasant weather they would
cast approving glances on Dan as he
guided Buck through the congested
streets and remark that some day he
would replace Harper, the driver of No.
engine, whose exploits were famous
IN the department. 1t is not an easy
task to drive those spirited horses
through the crowded streets, and en-
sihe drivers are born, not made. But
,NPt NFOSS was not SO COulpldCeHI
about his favorite.
Look out for Buck" was his eau
uon. It's easier to teach an old dog
new tricks than to break fire horse
Oh his habits. Some day when the
alarm sounds Buck will grab the bit
ana go in spite of you"
cross had changed the parallel trum-
PETS for the crossed trumpets, the
insignia of a battalion chief, a year
oe1ore his prediction came true. Dan
ana Buck were jogging down Bronson
street on a sunny afternoon. The next
Jay would be his 21st birthday and he
tau decided to celebrate the occasion
ny going up to the Fire hall and get
ing a blank application. Filled with
onese thoughts, for once he did not
udtcn the familiar clang of old 9s bell
ontl the engine was but half a block
away He pulled sharply to one side
as II rushed past, and clutched the
ems as Buck started forward, but he
az 100 late. The horse had the bit
ost"een his teeth, where no amount
VI saving could annoy him, and he
tas after the engine full speed. When
tesh from Montana stock farm he
,itered the department he had been
cusht that not to run when the bells
1.ansed was TO be dashed with a stout
mp a lesson he could never forget
ne whip only served to goad him to