Part 3 (1/2)
It is but right, however, to state that he was paid for such services.
After that first morning when Seth had refused to take money from 'Lish Davis, he was given to understand that when the members of the company wanted boots blacked they were to pay for the labor, otherwise some other of the fraternity would be called upon.
Seth begged for the privilege of ”s.h.i.+nin' for the crowd free,” declaring that he should not lose any money through such gratuitous labor, for he would be familiarizing himself with the indoor details of a fireman's life.
To this, however, 'Lish Davis made answer:
”See here, my son, you've got your living to earn, and can't afford to give up bread an' b.u.t.ter for the sake of getting on to our work. We'll pay for the s.h.i.+nes, or you don't put your nose inside this house, and as for finding out what we do hereabout, why it's nothing but drudgery.
Cleaning harnesses, setting the machines to rights, and keeping the place neat as a new pin make up the bulk of the work. So take a nickel for every s.h.i.+ne you give, or out you go, never to come back.”
From that hour Seth had been paid regularly, and, thanks to such patronage, he was in a great measure independent of other customers, because there was seldom a day when he did not earn at least twenty-five cents from Ninety-four's men.
Thus it can be understood that he was warranted in loitering near the engine-house until his patrons should be ready for his services, and on this particular morning the first man who came out of doors found him seated on his box, leaning against the building, whistling cheerily.
”Feeling pretty good this morning, ain't you, kid?” the fireman asked rather as a greeting than for the purpose of gaining information, and the boy replied in a tone of perplexity:
”I ain't certain about that, Mr. Walters.”
”Not sure whether you're feeling good or not?”
”No, an' that's a fact. Has Mr. Davis turned out yet?”
”Well, s'pose he has? Do you want to consult with him?”
”That's 'bout the size of it.”
”He's inside with the horses; go right through.”
In order that he might not be an unwelcome visitor, Seth had had sufficient good sense never to enter the building without an express invitation or permission, and perhaps because he was thus scrupulous the men were all the more willing to admit him.
”h.e.l.lo! What's up?” 'Lish Davis asked as the boy appeared thus unannounced.
”If you ain't very busy I'd like to talk with you 'bout somethin' that's botherin' my pardner an' me a good bit since last night.”
”Fire away, lad. I reckon I've got time enough to listen to the story, unless it is in more than one chapter.”
”It ain't so very long, an' I'll be quick as I can,” Seth replied, and then he told, without going too much into detail, of his trouble with Jip Collins, and of the latest threats which the boy had made, according to Sam Barney's statement, concluding by saying:
”Now, I don't believe Jip's got sand enough to do any sich thing as settin' fire to the shed, an' it's sure he didn't try it last night, 'cause he had every chance; but I've been thinkin' 'bout it while I was waitin' for the house to be opened, an' it kind-er come into my mind that perhaps he might make a bluff at it.”
”I wouldn't be surprised at anything some of these young villains did,”
'Lish Davis said after a brief time of reflection. ”The general run of street boys get an idea into their heads, and don't stop to realize what the consequences may be. Let me see, you live in the rear of Baxter's carpenter shop, don't you?”
”Yes, sir.”
”There's a brick building b.u.t.ts up against the back end of that lot, so your only chance of getting out would be to come through the lumber-yard?”
”Yes, sir.”