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HAPPY DAYS
/
= ‘THAT BOY
Is the house turned’ topsy-turvy?
Does it ring from. street to roof? ~
Will the racket still continue
Spite of all your vid eegproott
Are you often in a flut
Are you sometimes ‘er ited with joy?
Then I have my grave suspicions
That you have at home that boy.
Are the walls and tables hammered?
Are your nerves and ink upset?
Have two eyes so bright and roguish
Made you every care forget?
Have your garden beds a prowler
Who delights but to destroy?
These are well-known indications
That you have at home that boy.
Have you seen him playing clreus
With his head upon the m:
And his heels in mid-air twirling
. For his audience, the cat?
Do you ever stop to listen,
When his merry pranks annoy
Listen to a voice that whisp
You. were once just iike—that boy?
Have you heard ‘of broken windows,
d with nobody to blam
Have you seen a trowsered a nin
Quite unconscious of the same?
Do you love.a teasing mixture
Of perplexity and joy?
You may have a dozen daughters,
But I know you're got—that boy.
rm ome
MONARCH No. 4
CHAPTER I.
THE FIREMAN’S DAY.
“Tlurrah for Will Norton
No. utrab for the boy foe an of Monarch
Yond and long was the cheering. The
great engineroom was thronged with red-
shirted fire-laddies, all in their handsome
uniform: .
It was the firemen’s gala day in Fair
dale. From an early hour the streets had
been thronged with people.
All Fairdale was out, and from adjoin-
ing towns the trains were bringing thou-
sands of people into the town?
annual gala day and meet for trials of
| Batre at the hand-engines was a popular
eat
Firemen and their friends from a radius
of a hundred miles eame down to partici-
pate in the trials and the sports, Fairdale
was a small elty of some twenty thousand
inhabitants,
It was in the days of the old hand-en-
- gines, before the present-day apparatus
was known. Hard work and great skill was
necessary then when tbe boys all “ran with
the machine.
Monarch “Xo. 4-was the popular engine
company of Fairdale. Its members were
ell young men of the best families in the
oan annual election was held for officers
of the company.’ There were two con-
testants for the position of foreman.
Will Norton, a handsome and plucky
young fellow, the son of a poor widow in
the town, had by his bravery and skill won
fame and approbation,
He was instinctively the choice of the
boys of Monarch No, 4. Hts opponent was
Clinton Dugdale, the son of August Dug:
dale, a wealthy man in the tow:
At the opening of our story the ballots
had just been counted and the announce
ment made that Will-Norton had been
elec ted by a large majority. Wild cheering
rose,
“Hurrah for Will Norton!”
There was one who did not join in the
applause. This was Clinton Dugdale, the
unsuccessful candidate.
Dugdale had coveted the honor. His face
was a sickly yellow, and his eyes glittered
with a light of bitter hatred. He stood in
the corner of the engine-room and silently
watched the proceedings,
Near him stood a slim youth whose gaze
‘was fixed upon Dugdale. He moved nearer
and said:
“They're making a lot of fuss over that
fellow, aren’t they, Clint? It makes me
sic
there was a flickering smile, grim and
unpleasant, about Dugdale’s lips,
“Thal t’s so, Dick Hail. Did you vote for
him?"
“Vote for him!” exclaimed Hall, who
was well known for his propensity for
fawning upon any one better off in this
world’s goods than himself. “Well, I
sbould say not! naere was only one man
to vote for, and that was you.
peeaele’s face relaxed a ‘itttle, and a
light of cunning came into his dull eyes.
“See here, mali, ,,you're a friend of mine.”
“You bet I
“You know just how matters stand. You
know that I’m not going to allow any pen-
niless young upstart like Will Norton to
overshadow me.
“I hope not, ” sald Hall, sliding nearer.
“Can’t you work a scheme to take his
colors down a peg?”
s, that’s my game. Now, if you're a
friend of mine your "ll help me.”
“You bet I w:
The two now “Grew back into the corner
and lowered their voices. They held a long
consultation, but little attention was paid
them. Everybody was busy congratu-
lating Will Norton.
w that the election was over, present-
ly, iw felzed a trumpet and announced:
in, boys, for the parade!”
a ones the enginehouse doors were
thrown open and the ropes attached to the
engine were rw
The boys seized | them ina “double line.
They made a handsome spectacle in their
red shirts and blue helmets.
Will Norton was at their head. Beside
him marched Jack Craven, assistant fore-
man. The engine company, dragging Mon-
arch No. 4, all glittering with polished sil-
ver and brass, behind them, marched away
down the street.
met a brass band at the corner,
which preceded them. They had soon
found their place in the parade, and were
given the right of the line.
dozen other engine companies, some
from adjoining towns, marched behind
them. Then the bands all struck up, and
the firemen’s parade began.
How the crowd cheered! Monaren No :
came in for the largest share of ii
one Street and down another ‘vent rid
para
Soon, though, they approached the park,
with its level surface of green, where the
“play-off” was to be hela. Here a great
multitude was gathered.
The fire companies quickly took their
places in turn for the competition, Two
long lines in white lime had been drawn
for a distance of one hundred yards across
the green. There was the startling line,
with the necessary pond of water from
whence the companies in turn were to draw
with their lines of hose.
At distances from one hundred feet up
to two hundred and fifty, sheets of paper
were laid between the lime lines. As each
company made its play-off, the drops of
water thrown onto the furthest of these
made the recor
Rambler No. 2, a company from an ad-
joining town, came first to the line. Cheers
went up as the double lines of husky boys
tock their places at the Pump: -handles of
the machine.
Then the word was given, and they be-
gan work. How they did work! Up and
down went the red-shirted boys until the
perspiration oozed Tr every pore.
Higher and higher went the stream of
water from foe a nozzle of the hose held by
two sturdy fi
But presently the whistle blew and the
test was over. e judges quickly set up
the Score on a blackboard.
ndred and ninety feet four
inches.”
Great cheering followed. The Rambler
company fell back’ and another took its
place. This company failed to equal the
score of the Ramblers.
Three more companies followéd and not
one of tiem made over one hundred and
eighty feet. Then came “Belmonts,
known as the crack company of Hopedale,
an adjoining town.
The Belmonts made a herculean effort,
Hand threw a stream of water which made
a mark on the paper two hundred and
twelve feet distant. The air was rent with
cheer: -
“That score never’ll be equalled,” sald
a wise man in the throng.
Now with spirit and di dash- Monarch. No.
4 came up to the line. Quickly the hose
was run out, and the boys took their places
at the pum
“Hurrah for Will Norton!”
“Hurrah for Monarch No, 4!”
The-next moment the Monarch boys were
oft. Like lightning they worked thé
mps. It was a thrilling sight.
“Higher and higher rose the stream of
water. It passed the mark of the Ramblers
and crept toward that of the Belmonts.
Nearer and nearer, while the crowd gaped
in suspense,
Thirty seconds of time only was left.
But in that thirty seconds, as if by magic
the stream of water shot ahead of the
record mark. it went, two, four, eight,
and finally ten feet beyond.
“Two hundred and twenty-two feet.”
The crowd could not be restrained. They
broke through and surrounded the boy
champions and winners or the cup. It was
an exciting time, to be
Clinton Dugdale had not “taken part in
the contest. He had complained of a lame
shoulder and remained with the super-
numeraries, His face grew darker than
ever with hate and chagrin as the people
flosed about Will Norton to congratulate
m.
“He’s the Incklest dog alive,” he gritted
to nie Dick Hall, who now came up out of
real
ould say so,” spluttered Hall. “I
tried is hold back on the pump p arm, but
they weighed me down every
“Just wait,” said Dugdale. ony, “aay will
me.
°
3
AI hope it will, Clint,” said fhe sycophant,
Hall, “That fellow com 8 lways win.
“Hello! What’s
The fire companies tad Just pulled their
engines down to the line for the great
hundred-yard race. A couple of the fire
laddies of two out-of-town companies had
got into an argument, and new were hav-
ing fisticuffs. They were separated, how-
ever, and now Dugdale and Hall moved
down to the line to witness the races.
“Are you going to run, Dick?” asked
“T've got, a sprained ankle,” said’ Hall,
with a wink. He did not state the truth
that he had not been chosen.
Six fire companies were entered in the
dash, There were twelve men on each line,
and the distance was one hundred yards,
To drag the engines this distance and win
was the proposition,
And it was a hard one. Belmont had
some excellent runners. Many of them
had individual records, and were strong
ys.
Monarch No.°4, with. Jack Craven and
Will Norton at the head of the line, at-
tracted the most attention. It was uni-
versally admitted that the race would real-
yy pe between the Monarchs and the Bel-
mall the companies were on the line, wait-
ing the word. -Finally the word was given.
Down came the engine companies, fleet
of foot and dragging the flying engines.
On they came,
Belmont was a few paces in the lea
The crowd yelled and shouted and nO ae
a terrific uproar. Nearer the line drew
the contestants. Nearer and nearer, and
it seemed certain that Belmont would win.
sudden hush fell upon the crowd. The
strain was so great that all held their
breaths, Nearer and nearer, hard fought
every inch of the way, came the con-
testants. -Then a thrilling spectacle was
witnessed.
Monarch No. 4 seemed to lower their
heads and make a tremendous plunge for-
ward. They shot-past the Belmont com-
pany just at the line,
B that very instant a-startling in-
cident came near marring the whole affair.
As a great roar of applause went. up from
the crowd, Clint Dugdale, unable to con-
trol himself any longer, picked up a large
stone and threw it at. Will Norton. It
struck him full in the neck, and he pitched
forward upon his face.
For an instant the applause ceased, and
then it changed to cries of surprise and
anger. Dugdale had been seen by several
to throw the stone, and in an instant he
was the center of an angry crowd.
“Lynch him!”
“It was a coward’ 's trick!”
“Hang him t
Dugdale Mn osted, ghastly pale, as. he
realized what he had Gone and what the
result might be. And, indeed, he might
have met with bodily harm but ‘tor a start-¢
ling intervention.
clang of, a bell rose on the air,
blended witha loud cry from many throats.
“Fire! Fire!”
CHAPTER I,
A BRAVE DEED,
Fortunately Will Norton had received no
serious injury from the cowardly act of
Dugdale. He was stunned for a momen t,
but was gulekly assisted to his feet by his
comra
a “aia that?” cried Jack Craven,
angrily.
“It was a cowardly thing!”
“There he is! It was Dugdale!”
The boys of Monarch No. 4 m might have
done Dugdale harm then and there, but
just then came the alarm of fire,
Clang! Clang! Clang!
“Firel | Fire!
The words passed from lip to lip and rose
upon the air in a swelling chorus. In a
moment Will Norton grasped his trumpet
and shouted:
“Fall in, boys! Take the line!”
The different fire companies had rushed |'
to their engines, But t Monarch No. 4 wi
already away like a fl “
On they ran with all speed, and the en-
gine seemed to fairly leap from the ground.
Into the main street of the town went the
fire companies,
Monarch No. 4 was the first on the scene,
The fire was in the lower story of a hotel
on one of the largest business bl.
Fairdale. ocks In
Flames and smoke were bursting fro
the windows, and the scene was one to ter
rify the spectators. But the fire boys’ of
Monarch No, 4 quickly ran out their hose
and got a stream of water on the flames.
The other companies now arrived in turn.
The hook and ladder truck came rushing ©
up, and none too soon.
_ The fire had acquired tremendous head-
way. It looked a desperate undertaking
to curb it or get it under control.
The street was now thronged with people.
Certainly the sports of the day were over.
All interest was now centered in the great
ire. . .
The chief of the fire department, Bill
der with a line of hose, and were risking
thetr dives to get a stream of water on the
antes a tough blaze to handle, Will,” said
Jack Craven, as they stood looking up to
the burning building. “I hope there is
nobody inside. They'll never get out.”
“My soul! Look there, Jack!” exclaimed
Will in tones of horror, as be pointed to a
window in the upper story.
< great cry went up from the crowd.
They saw in that moment what Will Nor-
ton had seen.
At the window for one moment there
appeared the face and figure of a young
She was very pretty, but terrified,
and wringing her hands in evident despair.
Then a great wall of black smoke swept
up and hid her from view.
A groan of horror went up from. the
crowd. The hook and ladder boys ran up
their longest ladder. But it only reached
the ledge of the window beneath.
It did not seem’ possible to rescue the
young girl. e flames must soon reach
her. It was a horrible fate to befall one.
“She is lost!” gasped Jack Craven. “We
ean never reach her, Will. The flames have
reached the floor beneath. There isn’t a
ladder long-enough. She can’t be saved!”
Will Norton’s face was very pale and
set.
* “Nonsense!” he said, “yesolutely.. “She
must be saved!”
The chit just then came up excitedly. .
‘There a@ young woman wp in. the
fourth sey: ” he erie d. “Who can go up
there and get her?’
As this appeal was made, there was: a
moment of hesitation among the firemen.
They were brave boys
looked to be an utter impossibility to reach
the fourth story of the burning building
Be
Flames were shooting from the windows
of the third floor.’ It could be but a short
while before they would reach the next
floor, and then no human being could pos-
sibly exist there.
The firemen hesitated. The crowd was
in a state of the wildest excitement. The
suspense was awful.
But Will Norton had stepped forward.
He was calm, but resolute.
“T'll go up and save her, ebief,” "he said.
“I think it ean be done.”
” a go with you, Will,” -cried Jack
Cra
call ‘Tent, Jack,” said the young fore-
an of Monarch No, 4. “This way, boys.
Place a ladder against the next building.”
Will's orders were quickly obeyed. The
adjoining building was separated by a nar-
row alley. The ladder reached to the third
story of this building, but it was the top
story, Will Norton went up like an acro-
pat In fact, he was expert in acrobatic
eal
When Will reached the top round of the
ladder, he was ten feet from the wall of
the burning building, But this wall in
the alley was devoid of windows, hence the
lames had not reached it.
The excited crowd below did not see the
young fireman’s purpose, and were at a Joss
to understand it. But they presently saw
it plainly enough.
‘Will carried on his arm a long coil of
fire-proof rope.. At its end there was 2
large loop. Now at the top of the ladder
he swung far out and coiled the rope.
With a wide swing he sent the “coil
across to the cornice of the apposite | build
ing. The noose slipped and fell bac!
his purpose was now. seen by the ee oNd,
the suspense was exciting.
Once again the boy fireman coiled the
rope. This time he made a long cast, and
the loop settled about a projection on the
cornice and held fast. A great cheer went
up from the crowd,
Jack Craven was on the ladder below’
wile The boy fireman leaned down and |
ate, I am going to cross over on this
rope and get out onto the roof. I wan
you to hold the rope at this vend, and if I
get the girl out of the window I shall
swing her back on the rope to you.
But what of yourself?” asked ‘Craven.
“Tl take my chances,” said Will with a.
smile, “I’m
6 next woment the boy fireman was
on the rope in midair. It was a thrilling
tacle, and the crowd gaped in wonder-
ment at the daring of the feat.
Few would have had the skill or the
courage to attempt such a thing. But Will -
all, but certainly it _