Often I had to stay in bed for days
at a time. I made the fire of some old papers and rags, and I had a
pail of water ready to throw on it in case it got going too fiercely.
Then Muchmore came and caught me, and locked me up. Oh, how I prayed
that they might send in an alarm, and that the fire department would
come, for I heard from the old housekeeper that a company had been
started in addition to the old hand-engine corps."
"Yes, we think we have quite a fine department," said Herbert proudly.
"Well, you'll soon have a better one," said Mr. Stockton. "I want to
show my appreciation in some way, and I'm going to buy a regular
steam-engine for the town."
"But we'll need a water system for that," objected Bert.
"That will come. I am going to sell a lot of property I have, and put
a water system in Lakeville. I've held on to my land too long. We'll
develop this village, until the old inhabitants, like myself, won't
know the place. And, when we have the new department, I want you boys
to have a hand in running it."
Mr. Stockton was as good as his word. It took some time to make the
improvements he suggested, but finally a fine water system was
installed in the town, and the best steam fire-engine money could buy
was presented to Lakeville, with the compliments of the aged
millionaire.
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