Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1909-12-09

1SS, Vui. Ndy
aThat was i%nsolence."
The young man drew back.
"The steamer will be here Wednes.
day morning, MIR. Mayhem"
Good day, the old nan responded,
Good day." replied the young MAI
pleasantly, and he was whistling mer.
rily as he walked down the street.
The old man listened for a mo.
ment.
"a bright boy" he muttered
Manager of an engine factory, Ell?
Smart, 10 doubt. I've heard of the
concern. They pointed it out to me
when I took Emily to the Aurora
seminary. But the boy has over
reached himself this time, And he
softly chuckled.
On Wednesday morning, close to
noon, the fire engine arrived. A stout
team of horses, secured in Clinton,
the nearest railway town, drew it over
the eleven miles Of highway, while a
third horse furnished tt: motive
power for the we'll stocked hose
wagon.
AS the little procession passed
down the street, the president of the
board of selectnfen, attracted by the
musical jangle of the bell, arose from
his seat and went to the window.
"The foolish boy has kept his
word" he pluttered. "There he is
now. Why, he's waving his hand to
me-"
He turned abruptly and went back
to his desk.
That day the s%electlaen received
neatly worded invitations to inspect
the new steamer.
Each selectman was a member OF
the volunteer department.
The invitations were disregarded.
Nor did the unofficial villagers view
the newcomer with any degree of
warmth.
The old department was dear to
them. 1t was q firmly rooted part of
Springvillo life. The steamer would
cost a lot OF money. 1t was doubtful
If it would yer pay for itself.
"We hain't had a serious fire since
Bob Quig's barn burned las June"
drawled old Abner bruce, as he
peered about the polished steamer.
Your engine is as pretty an shiny
as a brass watch, but 1 dunno when it
would be Of any prac-tickle use."
Landlord Bolton shifted.
Guess you forgot that our new
$4,000 schoolaouse burned down last
March" he growled, sand only $4,000
insurance on IT."
eth boys would have put it outsall
right drawled the veteran, eff tn
tongue OF tt tub hadn't broke on
aThimble's lillian the hose had
reached"
Whereat young Arthur Brill, Of
Aurora, laughed merrily..
He wrote to tie selectmen that day
respectfully asking permission to ex-
hibit the steamer the next evening
on the village public square, McKin-
ley Park, and lis request vas prompt
~ refused.
lie was told that the board failed
to see any reason why it should en-
courage the hope that the village
would purchase the steamer, or why
it should permit idle gatherings.
Arthur Brill laughed again and
promptly mailed to tie president of
the board his price list and special
terms, and q strong guarantee.
Tie president locked at this en-
closure and tossed it aside. But he
couldn't help smiling.
Hes certainly a persistent cub"
he growled.
The next evening, the hotel team
drew the steamer to the outskirts Of
the village and halted it in front Of
the rake factory. The hose wagon,
drawn by the landlords mare, and
driven by its owner, followed close
behind.
The steamer was on the factory
grounds and at the invitation of the
factory owner, and here young Arthur
Brill gave a fine exhibition of the
capabilities of the beautiful machine.
He took the water from the creek,
and with the help Of the factory fore
man guided the nozzle himself.
She's g. wonder, all right said
John Pritcnard. ut would take e
big load off my mind IL We had her
here in town. But I guess there isn't
much use of expecting it, son."
Arthur Brill declined to lock dis
couraged.
Look here he said. chow will
this do for a name plateo"
He drew a closely wrapped strip of
metal from the steamer tool box and
pulled off the coverings.
John Pritchard stared at 1t.
ezra Mayhem" he repeated, and
shrieked with laughter.
That night Landlord Bolton gave
Arthur a warning.
"There'S q good Geal OF feeling
against your copper teakettle, my
boy" ne said, land we've go. some
clods here who are just fools enough
to try to damage the outfit. Look
out for them.
That night Arthur I'D his en-
gineer, sleeping beside the steamer,
were aroused by unknown mis-
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