THE PARADE AND PICNIC
Announcement was made next day, by Mr. Bergman, that the new fire
department, of which he was considered the patron, would have a grand
parade and picnic in about a week. Members of the fire fighting
organizations of neighboring towns were to be asked to take part, and
there would be competitive drills, sports and games.
The people of Lakeville hardly knew what to think. So many things had
taken place in the last few months that the town seemed like a person
awaking from a long sleep, and finding himself in a new place.
"Lakeville is certainly improving," remarked Mr. Appelby to a group of
men in the post-office one day, as they were reading the notice about
the parade and picnic.
"That's what it is," added Mr. Charles Daven, the aged postmaster and
a justice of the peace. "Why there's been more mail come to this here
office in the last two weeks than in two months afore."
"How do you account for that?" asked Mr. Appelby.
"Why nearly every resident has written to some friend, tellin' of the
new engines an' fire department, an' the pussons has writ back, askin'
how we done it. I know, 'cause lots of 'em writ on postal cards, an' I
read 'em. I read all th' postals you know," he went on, as if that was
his privilege, "only now there's gittin' to be so much mail, I don't
half finish with 'em, 'fore some pusson comes in an' takes 'em away.
But business is certainly improvin' wonderful."
"And the taxes will go up likewise," added Mr. Sagger with a scowl.
"Not on account of the fire department," declared the mayor. "That
hasn't cost the town a cent. Mr. Bergman footed the bills."
"But it will in time. He ain't going to live forever."
"Well, the town ought to be glad to pay 'em in a few years. More folks
will come to live here if we have good protection from fire, and if
the village gets bigger the taxes will be less."
"Well, I ain't going to pay any more," declared the miserly butcher.
Preparations for the picnic went on rapidly. Tillman's grove was on
the edge of the lake, about three miles from Lakeville, and social
gatherings were frequently held there in the summer time.
It was planned that the new fire department would parade through the
town, hauling the chemical engines with them, go out to the grounds
and there take part in a competitive drill which Mr. Bergman had
arranged with the assistance of Bert and Vincent, and the chiefs of
some nearby departments.
In order that there would be protection to Lakeville, in case a fire
should occur during the picnic, Constable Stickler was to be left on
guard part of the day, and a man would relieve him at a certain hour,
so that the old official might see part of the fun. In case of a fire,
a messenger was to be dispatched on horseback, to summon the
department.
It was also planned to have the old hand engine in the parade, some of
the smaller boys begging for the privilege of hauling this, a request
which was quickly granted by Bert and his chums.
"Going to parade, Moses?" asked Mr. Appelby of the butcher, the
evening before the day of the picnic.
"Parade? Not much! I wouldn't be seen with them whipper-snappers of
boys."
"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. It was a trifle warm, but it would be cool in the grove near
the lake. The boys were up early, attired in their new uniforms, and
after an early breakfast headed for one or the other of the two engine
quarters.
The two machines were polished so one could see his face in them.
There had been but one fire since they arrived, and that was a small
one in an old shed. The engine in Cole's barn had been used to put out
the blaze, and the quick manner in which it accomplished the task
showed the boys of what sort of work the chemical was capable.
The other machine was as untried as the day it came off the train, but
it was known to be in good working order. It was planned to have a
drill between the two Lakeville companies, to see which could quickest
get to a fire from a certain spot, and the one which won in that
contest, would enter another in which would compete the departments
from Jamesville, Weedsport and Northville Centre. A prize of a silver
trumpet had been offered by Mr. Bergman for the company doing the best
and quickest work.
At last all was in readiness for the parade. Mr. Bergman had engaged a
band, and, to the thrilling strains of a lively march, the two
chemical companies, with their machines, and the younger boys, in
charge of the old hand engine, stepped out, and began a tour of the
town.
How proud the lads were in their gay uniforms! It was the first time
they had all been together, and the bright sunshine illuminating their
ranks, and reflecting from the polished surfaces of the engines, made
a picturesque scene.
Herbert Dare led his company in front, and behind him came fifteen
boys, dragging on the long rope. In the rear of the engine came five
other lads, armed with axes and long hooks, which were part of the new
equipment.
In the second division was Vincent and his company, while at the rear
brought up the smaller boys with the hand engine. Altogether it made a
fine showing for Lakeville.
After marching through the principal streets of the town, and being
admired by the throngs that gathered, the young firemen set off for
the picnic ground. Thither, also, went most of the inhabitants of
Lakeville, for it was a chance that might never come again, and
everyone who could, took advantage of it.
"Whew! But it's hot!" exclaimed Cole, who was marching along beside
Bert, no particular formation being maintained on the road to the
grounds.
"You'll be cooler pretty soon," consoled the young chief. "I wonder if
we can beat those fellows?" he added, referring to the members of the
other fire companies.
"I'm not afraid of the Northville Centre bunch," declared Cole, "but
Jamesville is a different proposition. The chief there is a hustler,
and I understand they are pretty quick. They've had lots of practice."
"So have we."
"But not with the chemical engines."
"Oh, well, I guess we can make out pretty well. Thank goodness,
there's the grove. I'm almost melted."
The boys found a goodly crowd already assembled. The Jamesville fire
department had arrived, and they greeted the Lakeville boys with
cheers. Soon after this the Weedsport and Northville Centre
contingents arrived.
Mr. Bergman had named a committee to see after the sports and games,
and the members of this soon had things going. There were running
races, walking matches, jumping contests, wheelbarrow and bag races,
and tied-leg races, wherein two men, with their inner legs strapped
together, did almost everything but run.
But what everyone was anxiously looking forward to were the fire
drills. Though the boys of Lakeville took part in the other games,
winning some of the contests, they waited with impatience for the main
items on the program.
Very realistic contests had been arranged. In a big field, adjoining
the grove, Mr. Bergman had caused to be erected six small sheds,
constructed of old lumber, and filled with empty packing boxes. To
make the fire burn more fiercely kerosene oil had been poured over the
boxes.
The idea was to let the two companies of Lakeville have a chance first
to see what they could do in the way of putting out a fire. They were
to start from the same place, race toward the burning shacks, and the
company which first put out the blaze was to be declared the winner.
Then a four-cornered contest, among the Jamesville, Weedsport and
Northville Centre firemen, and the winner of the Lakeville event,
would strive for the honor of carrying home the silver trumpet.
When all was in readiness, with the two divisions of the Lakeville
boys lined up at their respective machines, Mr. Bergman set fire to
two of the shacks. In an instant they were enveloped in flames.
Waiting until the fire was at its height, Mr. Bergman gave the word to
start.
"Now, boys!" cried Bert to his men. "Show 'em how we do it!"
"Run! Run!" yelled Vincent, to his lads, "We want the chance to
compete in the finals!"
With a rumble of the big wheels over the rough ground, the two
chemical engines were hauled toward the blazes.