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MY DOG AND I.
When living seems but little worth
And all things go awry,
I close the door, we journey forth—
My dog and I
For books and pens we leave behind,
But little careth he,
His one sree ier in life is just
ith
He notes by just one upward glance
My mental attitude,
As on we go past laughing streant
And singing wor
The soft winds have a magic touch
“. That brings to care release,
The trees are vocal with delight,
The rivers sing of peace.
How good it is to be alive!
Nature, the héaler strong,
Has set each pulse with life athrill
And joy and son
Discouragement! twas but a name,
> And all things that ann
Out in the lovely ‘world. of June
Life seemeth only joy
And ere we reach the busy town,
Like birds my troubles fty,
We are two comrades glad of heart—
My dog and I!
Captain of Salamander
st, Zw
- By ROBERT LENNOX
CHAPTER I.
THE CLASH BEFORE THE FIRE-HOUSE.
“All ready, Denny!"
“All ready for our arse fire, , Dick!”
“I wonder where it will be
“T-wondher what it ‘will te burning?”
“I wonder if this old tub of a Salamander
will Squirt a stream at all?” grunted Ned
Prine
SE Tt t he old hand engine won’t work,”
declared Captain Dick, with spirit, “there's
another engine in the’ Hempstead Fire De-
. partment that will. As for us, look at the
jay-out_ of axes and pikes that we
Surely they'll give work enough for nine-
teen sturdy young pairs of arms to do!”
wear, heart” cried quiet Hal Spencer.
“Ob, n’t the Niagaras jeer over us,
ae though! » “uttered Bob Ellis.
. “Here come Phil Bashford and some of
- his fellows now. Wouldn’t be surprised if
they’re coming on purpose to have some
fun with us,” volunteered Lije Pettit.
The boys of Salamander 2, nearly all of
whom were present, turned their eves to-
ward the door of the engine-hous
“Worst of it is,” broke in Captain Dick
Ransom, “we can’t talk back much to Phil.
His company had Salamander for their
own engine for the last year, until the
men’s company was disbanded. Now Cap-
tain Phil Bashford has secured command
of Niagara 1 and has taken over that hand-
some, perfect-actiltg new engine. Of course
it’s fair, though, that we, as the newest
company, should have the poorer engine.”
he thriving town of Hempstead, which
had always boasted of a good fire “depart-
ment, had now a department composed
wholly of boys, except for. bluff old Jim
Davis, a man of fifty who served ag fire
chict.
he men’s company, that formerly ram
‘with Niagara 1, had been disbanded‘a fort-
* night. before, owing to dissatisfaction in
the ranks.
It had been expected that a new company
of pen would be organized at on
t this had not come to
Therefore it had occurred to Dick Ran-
som and Denny McBride, Dick’s staunch
chum, to secure permission from the mayor
. to organize a second company of boys.
~ | Finding that the men'of the little vity
were lukewarm about serving as unpaid
- volunteers, Mayor Chrystie had a last
given his consent.
Dick and Denny organized their com-
pany in a day from among the spirited
“boys of Hempstea
Dick’s mother wa, & widow, who owned
her own little cottage, subject to a mort-}
gage. She let the three upper rooms of
her house for barely. enough to enable her
‘son and herself to get along, with what
Dick was able to earn at extra clerking
* summers and holidays,
Denny’s father was far from prosperous.
He was a truckman, who managed to get
along decently, and that. was all.
a fact, none of the nineteen boys who
were now enrolled on Salamander’s. book
were sons of well-to-do parents.
Captain Phil Bashford and the other fel-
lows of Niagara 1 were, on the other hand,
all sons of families in rather comfortable
circumstances. Phil and most of his
HAPPY
Niagara cronies were a rather snobbish
fot
ow, as he came along, followed
wy Gharite ‘Titus, Fred Austin and Gerald
Downing, Phil was grinning rather broad-
y.
All four stopped on the sidewalk, look-
ing in through the broad doorway at the
youngsters grouped around Salamander and
its attendant hose-carr:
“Waiting for a fire?” demanded Phil
“Not particularly,” replied Phil, pleas-
antly.
“You fellows had, Detter pray that you
don’t have a eall,” Phil went on, mocking-
ly. “If you do, Sou, may just as well stay
where you are. Salamander won’t throw
a stream of water six feet.”
“I don't ww,” Dick answered. “We
bad the Sua engine out an hour ago for
practice, and we thought we had a pretty
ir stream.”
“Sometimes you get a bit of a stream,”
Phil sneered. “Then, first thing you know,
old Sally. gets and wheezes, .but
don’t dump an:
“We've overhauled alamender quite a
bit,” Dick dee!
“Well, a lot you Ttows know about over-
hauling” an engine, don’t you Not one
of you fellows ever did more betore than
sant on the sidewalk and see the engine
by. “Now you talk like veterans!
trump hi”
Phil turned to his Niagara cronies, all
of whom laughed.
e Salamander “boys, including their
captain, flushed, but tried to keep their
tempers.
“Good morning, Phil,” cried a clear, eine
ish voice, as a Dphaeton drew up at
curb, “Visiting your new comrades?”
In the phaeton were Mrs, Allison and
Beth, the latter a deliciously pretty, blonde,
qu ueenly girl of s en.
oth, who was “the only child of sup-
posedly wealthy parents, was also believed
in Hempstead to be Phil Bashford’s sweet-
heart. -
“Oh, we were just looking
greenhorns,” laughed Phil.
Captain Dick Ransom flushed in an in-
stant at that jeering insult.
Yet. he could - not nee temper before
Mrs. Allison and her dau
t did you call the new firemen?”
asked pet appearing a bit surprised.
. enhorns, of course. They have
not been ft their first fire y
Beth glaticed smiling. at ae Salamander
boys, including their sturdy, honest-looking
young cap tain.
“When the new fire company does go to
its first\fire, Phil,” warned the girl, archly,
“look out that. Niagara doesn’t lose its
in at the
Cart ¥«/-Jaurels.*
“Humph!” grunted Phil Bashford.
many boys are there fn‘ the new™
Salamander company?” Beth inquired.
“Nineteen,” Phil informed her,
“Then I'll wager it’ll be found, ” smiled
Beth, sweetly, “that the Salamander, when
put to the test, has nineteen very strong
and capable tee’
Phil colored with annoyance. His cronies
looked embarrassed, Dick’s fellows smiled
their thanks at pretty Beth Allison, whom
not one of them ith ¢ the pleasure of know-
ing except by s:
is the. ‘apiain of the new com-
pany?” inquired Beth.
“That one,” granted Phil,
thumb in our hero’s direction.
“Will you introduce me to captain That
One?” asked Beth very demur
Feeling that he had been ‘artea, Dick
flushed again, straightened, and stepped
out on the sidewalk toward the phaeton.
“Miss Allison,” said Phil, rather sourly,
“ this is the fen who is to lead the new
crew of the Sally.”
Beth shot a whelt-angry look at Phil, then
turned to our hero, saying sweetly:
“Mr. Bashford does not appear to have
his usual amount of courtesy with him this
morning. Permit me. I am Miss Beth
Allison, -And this is my mother.
“My name is Richard Ransom,” ‘our hero
replied, bowing, and feeling flustered under
the glance of those bright,: girlish eyes,
*“Won’t you shake hands with us, Cap-
tain Ransom, and allow us to wish the
new fire company the best of duck and the
winning of all possible honors?
“Thank you both, ladies,” Dick answer-
ed, bowing again. “We’ll try to prove de-
serving or your further good wishes.”
“Go luck to you all, young firemen!”
eried Seth smilingly, then, with a parting
nod, raised the lines and started the pony
townward, for the engine-house of Sala-
mander 2 was a little wa way out from the
Main street of Hempste:
Beth Allison left behind. her 2 fire com-
pany that’ would be intensely devoted at
need.
ed tl flushing darkly and Scowling, walk-
ad quickly on with his cronie:
eogerved Phil ‘pashford right, the snob!”
“Isn’t Beth Allison a darling, though?”
“Wonder what she can see in Phil Bash-
ford to like?
to. was rife in the Hittle. » engine- ‘house
‘or the next twen:
oe there being nothine. doing here,
the Zellows strolled away by twos
thre
But. ‘Dick remained.
jerking a
DAYS
He had something serious on his mi
He wanted to be alone to think it out.
He noted Mrs, Allison driving home alone
in fhe haeton, and wondered idly where
Beth
Then “suddenly Dick’s thoughts. received
a@ Dew turn.
A surrey “was approaching the curb. On
the rear seat sat Horace Avery, a little,
small-eyed, mean-looking old man of some
sixty-five years.
He. president of the bank, the
wealthiest man in Hempstead and rather
generally hated
Twice a widower, and with a record of
being a brutal husband, Mr. Avery was re-
ported to be on the hunt for a third wife.
t Dick was not thinking of this, but
of something very different.
“Just the man I want to see,” throbbed
the new young fire captain. “I wonder if
he’s stopping on purpose to speak with
me? I must see if I can’t persuade him to
renew mother’s mortgage. He ought to,
for she’s kept the interest’ paid up all
right.”
Full of the purpose of speaking to the
old magnate, Dick started to the door when
he became aware of Avery’s real object in
stopping.
For Beth Allison was coming along,
gracefully and nimbly on foot,. her fine,
queenly head well erect.
eth, my dear!” hailed Avery, who ‘had
not even seen our hero,
“Did you address me, sir?” asked the
girl, stopping in amazement.
She looked swiftly from the rear seat
to the front, on which sat Jorkins, Avery’s
man, a sturdy, big-framed, surly-looking
fellow of forty.
“Address you, child,” wheedled the old
man. “Of course I did. Beth, h, my dear,
I'm thinking of offering you the honor of
being the next Mrs, Avery. What do you
say?”
Beth looked absolutely astounded. She
flushed a deep red, then became sullenly
pallid. With an outraged toss of her head,
she turned to walk briskly on.
“Come back here, Beth!” quavered the
old man. “Jorkins,- bring her back here
to listen to reason!”
Obediently, Jorkins leaped from the sur-
rey to the ground, caught Beth by a wrist,
nd.
|. and Started to drag her back to the side
of the surri
Captain Dick Ransom had taken this all
in like one in a trance
But now, ‘at Beth's, slight scream, the
young fire captain snatched up the” first
article handy, a brass hose-nozzle, and dart-
ed out to the sidewalk.
“Let go of Miss Allison’s wrist. this mo-
ment!” the boy uttered, wrat
wand u J don’t?” sneered Sorkias,
hen I'll lay you low!” flared Dick,
brandishing the nozzle. tu genomes rae eo
CHAPTER II.
CAPTAIN PHIL SHOWS HIS TEETH.
“Is that you, Dick Ransom?” quavered
the old man, “Then begone! Get away
from here at once!”
“Not until I’m satisfied a Miss Atli-
son wants me to!” flashed Dic
“T tell you to clear out” raged the old
man, “Beth Allison is to be my wife. I’¥e
a right to talk to her without you hanging
But Sick, ignoring Avery’s talk, glared
at Jorkins.
“Are you going to let 50 0 ‘of her wrist, or
shall I have to club you with this nozzle.
For, as there’s a sky above us, I’m going
ia do. it if you don’t let go of the young
Sorkins glared, but he got a greater glare
from Dick’s n baleful eyes. Sullenly
the wretch dropped Beth’s wrist as Dick
stepped toward him.
“Pll settle with you, Ransom, in my own
way and at. my own time,” snarled the
fellow.
“Dick Ransom!” screamed old Avery,
“your mother’s mortgage comes due to-
Morrow, Is she able to pay it? I had
thought of renewing it. Now I Shall do
nothing of the sort.
Dick started, turned deathly white, but
was silent.
“As for you, Beth Allison,” raged the old
man, “you won’t put on so many airs with
Mme to-morrow. Your father, though you
don’t know it, is heavily involved in debts.
I’m his banker. I can close him out to-
morrow and put you all on the street. - So
you can well make up your mind that you
are to marry me, if don’t happen to
hange My mind. But I’! let your father
talk to you, Get in, Jorkins, and drive on.
Out into the street for you and your moth-.
er, Dick Ransom!”
seem to have got you into ter-
Tible trouble!” faltered Beth, turning to
Dick, oe eyes filling, her sweet voice un-
stea
“Oh no, you didn’t,” replied the boy,
bravely. “I did the only thing that could
be done, You know that.
“But does Horace Avery really, hold a
mortgage on your mother’s hom
ages ats due to-morrow, Miss, “Allison, ”
Mr. Avery can be so merci-
nd
tess!” shudaerea the girl.
“You're unstrung just now, Miss Allison,
and [I don’t wonder at it,” spoke Captain
Dick, unsteadily.
Iam. I’m shaking with dread and dis.
gust,” Beth admitted. “I feel Weak, ‘ale
though I'm not afraid—only very angry,”
“Would you think me too bold if I offer.
ed to see you to your gate, then?” Dick
ventured, hesitatingly.
“Oh, if yt u will!” she assented, eagerly.
sull more " nesitatingly Dick offered his
arm, after having locked the engine-house
door,
Beth rested one little hand on hig arm,
making him tingle with her first touch.
Beth changed the subject as quickly as
she could, as they walked down the street
toward her hom
- Ata corner Phil Bashford suddenly came
into: sen scowling as he saw the two
: vor peo
1 go Pete with you, Beth,” Bashford
broke in, hurrying forward without even
looking at our hero. “Ransom, you can
consider yourse)f excused.”
But Beth clung to Dick’s arm.
“Phil, aren ’t you forgetting something?”
she demand
“What?” asked Phil, halting at her side,
his face dark with anger,
“Your manners ‘and your good sense,” re-
plied Beth, quickly. “I am the one to dis-
miss Mr, Ransom—Captai
mean. And I prefer that he remain with
“on, very “well, {hens aguivered Phil, his
face showing swift d
He lifted his hat, hurting away “toward.
th
“Phil has been | very disagreeable and
impertinent to-day,” was all the remark
Beth made.
The Allison house was a fine, big, old- ,
fashioned place, with some four acres of
grounds. A
before the whole front of the house.
“ ’s my father
a tone of pleasure, 2s a slender, fine-look-
ing, tall man of fifty, with iron-gray hair,
ame out through the doorway,
c
“Then I'll say good-by now,” proposed
Dick, as they reached the gate.
efore you've given papa a chance to
thank you?” Beth demanded, reprovingly.
“TI shall be very much offended if you do.”
So Dick, feeling rather uncomfortable,
allowed himself to be piloted up the gravel.
ed walk and introduced to Mr.
“T always want to’
friends as mine, of course,” smiled Mr. Al-
ison, taking the boy’s hand cordially.
nm he listened in amazement as Beth
told him what had happened.
“Avery? The old wretch?” cried Mr, Ale
lison, wrathfully.,““Oh, but he shall have
had
sprung to her aid.with the brass-nozzle in.
his, hand, Mr. Allison gripped the young
fireman’s’ hand again,
od for you, lad! Good for you! All
my franks ne yours, Oh, but I shall settle
with Ave
“Mr. very even hints, Papa, at you
can't settle with him,” Beth w
“Eh? What’s that, child?”
Mr. Allison’s fine face clouded, and he
; looked uneasy as Beth detailed the old
banker’s threats.
“Unfortunately there is some truth in
what the bold wretch says,”. "admitted Mr,
Allison. “Some business matters that you
wouldn’t understand, Beth. And so he
threatens your mother, too, with the mort-
gage, eh, Ransom? Oh, I hope he won’t
do it. He's a hard. man—a wicked one,
as we all know. But, young Ransom, if
you've made an enemy to-day, you’ve also
mate, some friends, Don’t ever forget
t
They would have tempted Dick inside,
but the boy tore himself away as soon
he could, though with the thanks of the
Allisons ‘still ringing in his ears.
“Whew! But I’ve done it to-day!” shiv-
ered Captain Dick, as he plunged ahead
up the street. “Yet what else could I do?
Though the worst happens, mother will
say that I acted just as she would’ have
me do ’m not sorry, but I’m worried.
To-morrow! They'll take our home the
day after!”
Dick’ was nearing the business portion
of Hempstead, his glance on the sidewalk,
| when he heard a harsh voice say:
“Dick Ransom, I've a word to-say to
yout”.
it’s you, eh, Phil?” queried Dick,
looking up into the da Randsome but
unfriendly face of the captain of the rival
fire compan:
* “Yes, but you needn’ t call ‘me by my-first
Name, you mucker!”
% Mucker? Dick’s hot blood leaped to his
fac
“Te a little careful, Bashford,” he cried,
warningly. “I don’t take insults.
do you mean by cheeking your-
self. into Beth Allison’s company?
. “I believe I was there by the young
lady’s permission, Phil Bashford, as she
told you herself,” Dick retorted, stiffly,
and looking the other boy warningly in
the re eres.
here, don’t you ever have the cheek
to speak to Beth Allison again, you young
mucker!”
That insult again! Dick’s open: hand
landed a stinging slap on Phil's mouth. -
in» Ransom, I -
broad, covered veranda ran:
now,” cried Beth, in”
Jook upon “peth’s -
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