"
"Well, those boys are all right, let me tell you. If it hadn't been
for Herbert Dare and his crowd, Lakeville wouldn't have a fine fire
department to-day, and your shop would be down to the ground. And
another thing, insurance is less. I renewed mine to-day, and the agent
said he could give me a lower rate, as the risk of loss from fire was
less now that we had two good chemical engines."
"If we had enlarged the bucket brigade it would have done just as
well, and saved a lot of money," declared the butcher.
"Oh, nonsense. You're an old fossil, Moses. Why Lakeville amounts to
something to-day. Jamesville folks can't laugh at us any longer for
not having an engine. I'm proud to live in Lakeville, and I didn't use
to be. Guess I'll run for mayor again."
"I thought you said you wasn't going to," said Mr. Sagger quickly, as
he knew he was pretty sure of the nomination, if the genial Mr.
Appelby, whom everyone liked, did not enter the contest.
"Well, I've changed my mind. It's an honor to be mayor of a town with
a good fire department."
Mr. Sagger said nothing, but he thought much.
No one could have wished for a better day than that of the parade and
picnic.
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