Part 7 (1/2)

”Yes, they can't foolapparatus on the fah there was enough more talk about it to fill several books the size of this one Bert and Cole proo over to Jamesville the next day, and report back to their chuht Jae about five ressive in every way than its neighbor

Bert and Cole made the trip the next day They inquired at the Jaht approach in the ine, and were referred to the chief of the small fire department

That individual received the boys cordially He was afires, and he was justly proud of the new cheine the town had purchased

”Will they see the old engine?” asked Bert anxiously, after they had been shown the new one

”Yes, the town committee voted to dispose of her to anybody that wants her”

”How much?” And at the question the hearts of the boys beat anxiously

”Sixty dollars, and it's very cheap It cost three hundred when new

It's got double-acting puood hose It's dirt cheap”

It was Cole, who knew so of et anything in the shape of an engine for less than seventy-five dollars

”Do you boys want to buy it?” asked the chief, for Bert had told him the object of their visit

”We did, but we haven't the ine be held for us, for a feeeks?”

The chief looked thoughtful Then he told the boys he hardly believed this was possible, as it was not certain they could raise the cash, and, in the ht be lost

But the chief sympathized with the boys He took them around to the chairman of the town coreed to hold the engine for a week for the Lakeville boys If they could raise twenty dollars by that tiree to pay the rest in installht this was possible, and they agreed to it The result was they hurried back to Lakeville, with a written option on the engine, good for one week

Their chums were hastily summoned, the matter talked over, and the boys went down in their pockets for whatever sht dollars, but Bert proposed that they get up an exhibition ball gae ad all the odd jobs they could find, the boys justht over to Ja,”

proposed Cole, after the contest was over and he and Bert were counting up the proceeds ”Maybe they'll sell it to some one else”

”Our tiet Well start early”

They did, and before noon had coreeine

CHAPTER VI

THE FIRST RUN

”How are we going to get it home?” asked Cole, as he and Bert, with the Jaine It was in a shed, back of the place where the new chemical machine was housed