Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-11-12

Mickey would have dashed wildly in
pursuit. Now he was too crushed
TO even walk fast. Fires? What was
The use in running to them? Iney
were common. But recognition by
Kid" Evans? And Mickey felt the
ron Of the worlds injustice burn
INTO his soul.
But the fire engines and hose carts
continued to rush TO the fire. Then
the reserves from the neighboring
precinct station left the station
house on the run. Mickey knew ex-
actly TO which districts the reserves
from every station on that side of
the city responded. The present fire
must be a big one, or this particular
force Of reserves would not respond.
Then he overheard one of the hurry
ing patrolmen say something about a
fourth alarm"
"A fourth alarml" That meant a
big blaze.
DE fourth alarm, fellows! De
fourth alarm" he called wildly TO
the boys who were hurrying from the
school house. ode bigges' fire in
years"
And momentarily forgetful Of the
honors which had been showered on
his rival he dashed at full speed to-
wards the avenue.
BY this time the police had cleared
the avenue and from all the fire
houses in that section of the city en-
gines, hose carts and big hook and
ladder trucks were hurrying. When |
a response is made to a fourth alarm
there is no holding back Of the great |
horses, no waiting TO see II teams |
and people are out of the way The |
trucks and engines come with a ter
rife rush which means destruction
70 any tardy wagon or reckless PEE
destrian, who Goes not look out for
himself. Down the avenue Hose
and Truck 4. which carried the big
expansion ladder were dashing as
fast as their powerful galloping
teams could take them. The side
walks were crowded and in his hurry
TO arrive at the big fire Mickey
darted out into the street and began
TO run in the direction taken by the
fire engines.
Suddenly a shout told him of his
danger. Hose z, with its big grays,
was almost on him. II was impossi-
bic for Mickey 10 reach the side
walk Terrified, he ran farther out
into the street. And this brought
him directly in the path Of the big
hook and ladder truck
But it was the very bigness and
length Of the truck which saved
Mickey. BY a cunning little swerye.
possible only to a trained driver Of
lire horses. the front wheels turned
4 little 70 the right. Mickey was safe
from them. But he could not turn !
back, and a second later he would
be struck by the rear wheels of the
pig machine.
Then, before the boy realized what
vas happening, one of the firemen
'linging to the side steps of the
ruck reached down, grabbed Mickey, !
~ the collar and with a powerful
ERIK fairly hurled him out of harm
md up on the body of the truck.
There was no possibility Of stopping.
Ind half lying. half held by the fire.
men, Mickey Flynt went to the fire,
ot running along the sidewalks as
ommon boys did, but carried on the !
waying, jouncing top of Truck 4, the !
iggest truck in the city.
When Mickey reached the school =
ard the next morning his bearing !
'as that Of a eonquering hero. Not !
My had he enjoyed the honor of rid :"
ig to the great fire on Truck 4, but
is name had been in the papers, y
ven in big type in the headlines.
Hickey wondered how much bliss a =
oy could stand and live. In front =
the school house Charlie Hastings =.
as proudly holding forth TO group 4
admirers. =.
"And Kid Evans, the champeen, -
ltted me on the head and saws. run !,
ong. you'se amt hurt, and gives me
quarter And he exhibited the =
larter, the badge of honor. far too A.
'ecious TO be lightly squandered.
But Mickey only looked with
nused scorn at his late rival, now
# far behind in the race for glory.
e himself had reached such heights wa
could be magnanimous.
Oats right" he assented. Evans"
patronizing tones, always is gooo 49,
little fellows. And it's a nice I'LL
ing for Charlie here dat he spoke ~
him. Course. though il amt in u
e same class with riding to fires on
e trucks, especially on big
uck A."
cor