United States or Svalbard and Jan Mayen ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
You see I thought the blaze was smouldering under the wood, and I was ready for it." "I'll be, next time. I hope you win the trumpet." "Well, so do I, for the sake of Lakeville. But these other departments have had more practice than we have." All the members of the Lakeville fire corps turned in to help get Bert's engine ready for the main contest of the day.
The night of the meeting found nearly every male resident of Lakeville present, and there were some women and girls in the audience. In the meanwhile, the members of the volunteer department had used Mr. Bergman's donation to pay off the small balance due on their engine, and had purchased their uniforms.
He remembered how narrowly he had escaped from Leslie Grey less than a year ago, and now that he had begun to burn his boats he was eager to get through with the process. The ferret-faced Chintz framed himself in the doorway. "My horse!" demanded his master. "And, Chintz, I want you to take this letter to Lakeville and post it with your own hands. You understand?" The little man nodded his head.
Bergman had arranged with the assistance of Bert and Vincent, and the chiefs of some nearby departments. In order that there would be protection to Lakeville, in case a fire should occur during the picnic, Constable Stickler was to be left on guard part of the day, and a man would relieve him at a certain hour, so that the old official might see part of the fun.
Preparations for the picnic went on rapidly. Tillman's grove was on the edge of the lake, about three miles from Lakeville, and social gatherings were frequently held there in the summer time. It was planned that the new fire department would parade through the town, hauling the chemical engines with them, go out to the grounds and there take part in a competitive drill which Mr.
"The Lakeville Fire Department!" responded several boys. "Humph!" exclaimed the constable. "Don't you boys go to interferin' with the bucket brigade. I won't have it. The bucket brigade is the regular department for this town." "The only thing the matter with it is that it can't put out any fires," was the retort from John Boll. "Let's show 'em how we do it, boys."
The horses and cows were taken in charge by several neighbors, who agreed to keep them until Mr. Stimson could build a temporary barn. Then, as there was little more to see, for the barn was now completely consumed, the crowd began dispersing. "Lakeville ought to have a fire department," said Bert, as he walked home with his chums. "Yep. They need some force-pumps like mine," agreed Cole.
"And I want to say that if there is going to be any feeling over the matter I'd rather not have it," went on Bert. "We boys will continue our own department and " "You'll do nothing of the kind," interrupted Mr. Bergman. "Lakeville is going to take a step forward, and you boys are the best persons to help her." "I don't want to take the place, and feel that there is jealousy," added Herbert.
The boys found a goodly crowd already assembled. The Jamesville fire department had arrived, and they greeted the Lakeville boys with cheers. Soon after this the Weedsport and Northville Centre contingents arrived. Mr. Bergman had named a committee to see after the sports and games, and the members of this soon had things going.
Word Of The Day