TOMMY FINDS A FRIEND IN BOBSEY.
In spite of the efforts of the firemen, the flames, aided by a strong
northerly wind which had suddenly sprung up, increased in volume and
intensity.
The Rev. Mr. Floyd began to recognize the fact that his house would
eventually succumb to the flames, and he remembered that he had a box
containing money and valuable papers in the room in which he slept.
Calling his son, he exclaimed:
"Charles, I am ruined if I cannot save my private box. What am I to do?"
Wild Charley surveyed the situation, and concluded that, though
hazardous in the extreme, an attempt might be made to enter the burning
house.
"Where is the box?" was Charley's only question.
"Under the bed in my room. But, for Heaven's sake, do not be rash."
Wild Charley said nothing more. He ran past the firemen and gained the
front door, regardless of cries to stop which arose from many throats.
The staircase was on fire, but he dashed through the flames, which
licked his body as if they had him in deathly embrace, and was soon
lost to sight.
Suddenly a tremendous shout arose. Standing on the roof of the house
was perceived the figure of Charley, who held a box under his arm. So
far his desperate enterprise had been successful, but he knew not how
to regain the street, as the burning of the staircase had cut off all
retreat.
The firemen now raised their ladder-like apparatus against the side of
the flaming house, and Charley commenced his descent, but when about
halfway down, the crowd saw him disappear.
The roof had given way.
Wild Charley was precipitated into the midst of the flames, and
everyone was convinced that he was beyond help now.
Mr. and Mrs. Floyd and the young gentlemen were taken into the house of
a sympathizing neighbor, where the grief of the schoolmaster and his
wife had full vent in private. Their sorrow for the loss of their son
was overwhelming.
Nobody bestowed any attention upon Tommy and Bobsey, who watched the
efforts of the firemen until they had conquered the flames.
When the gray dawn of morning broke upon the snow-clad scene, the
engines were playing upon a smoking, smoldering mass of charred and
blackened fragments, under which lay the burned body of Wild Charley.
"What'll we do now?" asked Tommy.
"I told you," replied Bobsey, "as 'ow I'd got another place at Dr.
Slasher's, and he'll 'ave to take you, too."
"I guess he won't want two boys; but I'll come for nothing, only my
board."
"He's standing at his door now," said Bobsey. "I'll go and speak to 'im
about you."
Tommy waited impatiently while his friend went to make an application
on his behalf to Dr. Slasher.
The doctor was quite a character in his way. Being moderately well off,
he was not dependent on his practice for a living. He had served in the
war and lost a leg, which he had replaced by a cork one, with a stick
at the end of it instead of a boot.
He was hot-tempered and impulsive, and fond of using the expression,
"Never in the wide, wide world," if he had made up his mind not to do a
particular thing.
When Bobsey approached him he was smoking a cigar.
"This 'as been somethin' of a fire, sir," exclaimed Bobsey, "and I'm
burnt hout. Will you take me in as you promised?"
"Certainly," replied Dr. Slasher. "When I make a promise I keep it.
You shall be my errand boy--take out the medicines and make yourself
generally useful."
"Thank you doctor," said Bobsey, "I'm much hobliged, and shall be still
more so if you'll help a frien' of mine."
"Who is he?"
"Stranger in this country. Was engaged by Mr. Floyd, but now he's hout
of work 'cos of the fire. He'll 'ave to starve, and you wouldn't like
to see him do that."
"Never in the wide," answered the good-natured doctor. "He shall attend
to my surgery. I'll teach him to mix potions and roll pills."
"That's hall he wants," said Bobsey. "Can we go and pitch hour tents in
the kitchen till morning, sir?"
"Go right in," said Dr. Slasher. "I'm about to go to bed myself. It's
no use waiting up any longer. This is the most disappointing fire I
ever witnessed. My professional skill has not once been called into
requisition."
"Wild Charley's burnt hup, sir."
"Well, the young scamp deserved it, and I guess they won't put him to
sweeping snow where he's gone to. Now you and your friend can sleep
by the stove in the kitchen, but I shall want you up in the morning.
You'll have to work, or I'll know the reason why."
Bobsey promised acquiescence, and ran away, to make Tommy acquainted
with the welcome news.
"Hi've got you hon," he exclaimed.
"How can I thank you?" replied Tommy. "This will save me from an awful
lot of misery. It's dreadful to be in a foreign country without money
or friends."
The doctor had retired, leaving the door open for them, and the two
boys entered the house, making themselves comfortable in the kitchen.
Next day they were given a room to themselves, and their duties were
mapped out for them.
Dr. Slasher was not a married man, and his home was kept by an elderly
lady who might in years gone by have been called good-looking, but who
had long, long ago lost all pretensions to beauty. Her name was Miss
Minks, and she was cook and housekeeper all in one.
For some days all went on smoothly at the doctor's.
It was quite a week before Tommy was allowed an opportunity for
exercising his remarkable powers for doing things as they ought not to
be done.
Dr. Slasher had been invited to dine at a neighbor's house, but having
a patient to attend he could not go.
Walking into the surgery where Tommy was rolling pills, he said:
"Go to Mrs. Jones at 99 in this street, and say with my compliments
that I can't dine with her to-day, though there is nothing I should
like better, as I don't expect I shall get much to eat at home."
As Tommy walked up the street he conceived a great idea. His master
could not go out to dinner, but evidently wanted something to eat. It
should be his business to see that this was attended to.
When he arrived at Mrs. Jones', he asked to see that lady, and was
ushered into the hall, where she came in full-dress.
"Doc's compliments, ma'am!" he exclaimed, "and he can't come to dine,
but he'd like something to eat, so if you'll put the grub in a basket,
I'll take it home for him."
"Oh, eh! yes," replied Mrs. Jones, in some confusion. "Wait here and
I'll attend to it."
She knew that Dr. Slasher was an eccentric character, and thought that
he might have sent for something to eat, though it was an extraordinary
thing for a gentleman to do; so she had the cook put up a basketful of
good things with which Tommy returned to the house in triumph.
The doctor was just going out, and had his hat and coat on.
"Did you give my message to Mrs. Jones?" he asked.
"Yes, sir, and as you couldn't go yourself, I got her to give me your
dinner in a basket."
"You did what!" thundered the doctor.
"Got your dinner, sir; here it is," replied Tommy, opening the lid of
the basket and displaying the contents.
"Are you a fool, or what are you?" vociferated the doctor.
"I don't know," responded Tommy, sulkily. "It seems as if I never can
do anything right."
"Now, my boy," said the doctor, "you'll take this half-crown, and
you'll go to a florist's to buy a bouquet of flowers. Having purchased
the article, you will take it to Mrs. Jones, with my compliments, and
explain that the dinner was your mistake."
"Yes, sir."
"If you make any blunder about it this time. I'll put leeches on you to
suck your blood."
Tommy had to walk some distance to reach a florist's, and when he did,
he found the man had only one bouquet left.
"How much for this?" he asked.
"Two and-six," replied the man; and Tommy, throwing down the
half-crown, took up the bouquet, which was very pretty and tastefully
arranged.
Going at once to Mrs. Jones', he was fortunate enough to find that the
lady had just quitted the dinner table, and she saw him in the hall.
"How did Dr. Slasher like what I sent him?" she asked, with a smile.
"First-class, ma'am," replied Tommy, "only it was a mistake of mine,
and I've brought you a bokay from the doctor."
"I'm sure I feel very much obliged to the doctor, and you are a very
good boy," she exclaimed, much gratified at the present. "Here's a
shilling for you."
This was intended as a gratuity for Tommy, but he thought she wanted to
pay for the flowers, and that it was his duty to take the money back to
his employer.
"Please, ma'am, that ain't enough," he remarked.
"Why not?"
"It cost two-and-six. I want a shilling and sixpence more."