Part 19 (1/2)
”Unifor to have,” admitted Bert ”We need rubber boots, especially My feet are soaking wet It doesn't o to a fire in the winter and get wet through it won't be so nice”
”Well, I don't believe Mr Berg for us,”
insisted Tom
But he was mistaken The very next day Bert received a letter fro firemen for what they had done Nor was this all Enclosed in the letter was a check for two hundred dollars
”I send you this as a small taken of my appreciation,” the letter read ”Not that it pays for the work you did, for you saved e out of the way But this is only a starter I understand your engine is not yet paid for, and that you have no uniforms Please use the check for that purpose You will also hear further from me in a few days I have a plan to propose, but I want to talk it over with the town authorities first”
”Say, he's all right!” exclaimed Cole, when Bert showed hi up the wrong tree,” adht! Let's get red and blue uniforms They'll look swell!”
”I wonder what his plan is?” asked Bert ”He says he has to consult with the town authorities about it”
”Maybe he wants us to take in the bucket brigade,” ventured Vincent
”Better wait and see,” advised Bert
CHAPTER XVI
MR BERGMAN'S PLAN
Never had Lakeville been so stirred as when, a few days after the lumber yard fire, notices were posted in various parts of the town, stating that a specialof the Selectular fire department for the place
”So, that's what he meant!” remarked Bert, when he read the notices
”Well, I wonder where we'll be, if they have a regular departade will be taken in, and they'll run the whole thing,” said Vincent, a little bitterly
”If they do, we'll keep our old hand engine and run to blazes just the same,” declared Cole
”That's ill,” added Captain Bert
The notices announced that thewould be a public one, and would be held in the town hall, over the post-office Opportunity would be given for all interested to state their views, the notice added
”Then we'll state ours,” threatened Cole ”Bert, can't you go there and make a speech?”
”I suppose I can, if the boys want et there and see how things look But if they want to turn us down, you get up and protest We'll stand by you”
”All right,” agreed Bert ”I think we ought to have so to say”
”So do I,” ca, Bert”
The night of thefound nearly every male resident of Lakeville present, and there were soirls in the audience In the meanwhile, the ine, and had purchased their unifor of blue trousers and red shi+rts, with hele brass buckle in front