In one of the smaller cities is a fire company that has a tawny-colored
Irish setter named Jess, who is a great favorite with all of the men.
Jess knows all the “ins and outs” of the fire-fighting business, and is
as helpful as it is possible for him to be. When there is no call for
action, he lies contentedly in the sun waiting for the summons to duty.
When an alarm is sent in, Jess is the first to respond. He runs first
to one and then to another of the men, spurring them on to action and
haste. Then he jumps into the chief’s car and seems to love to go
tearing through the streets, having the right of way over everything.
The ear-splitting screech of the siren is music to him. Arriving at the
fire, he takes a position affording the best view, and where he will
be the least hindrance to the firemen. He takes an intense interest in
every move that is made.
Once he entered a burning building. Going in by the back door, he ran
up the stairs in that part of the building and aroused a man who was
asleep, thereby saving his life. It was for this that Jess became a
life member of that fire company; he was serving without pay, just for
the love of being useful. After a fire is put out, he rides home in
triumph on the fire engine, wearing a fireman’s hat. Jess will be an
honorary member of our “Fire Brigade” if everybody is willing.