in a high state of excitement because
of the approaching trial.

"Mr. Davis says he shall be there, an' the lawyer is to 'tend right out
so's to say a good word for poor Jip when the time comes," Seth hastened
to state, and from that moment until it seemed absolutely necessary they
should retire, the boys discussed the probable fate of the firebug.

Next morning when Seth went to the engine-house to perform his customary
task of blacking the men's boots, Dan set out with him, saying as they
left Mrs. Hanson's:

"If it wasn't for that Third Avenoo store I wouldn't go down-town
to-day, till it was time for the trial to begin; but I can't lose a
whole mornin's work."

"That's the way to stick at it!" Seth cried approvingly. "How much money
have you got laid up?"

"Three dollars an' five cents. Oh, I'm gettin' there, old man, though
'cordin' to the way things are workin' it'll take quite a spell."

"You'll strike a rush some day, an' then it'll pile up in great shape.
Stick at it, Dan."

"That's what I'm reckonin' on doin', an' say, Seth, if it don't cost too
much, I'm goin' to 'tend out on school, same's you do. Bill has 'greed
to come into the snap, an' we'll make it lively all 'round."

"It won't cost you a cent; Mr. Davis says so."

"Then we'll begin to-night, but I don't want the fellers to know about
it, 'cause they'd set up sich a terrible howl."

Dan did not waste any more time in conversation, but hurried away to
take advantage of the early demand for papers, and 'Lish Davis said
sagely when Seth had repeated the conversation to him:

"Now you can see the result of a good example, Amateur. If you had
kicked against going to school, your roommates never'd thought of trying
the same game, and so by helping yourself you've gone a long way towards
helping others. Contrariwise, if you'd been cutting 'round town, raising
rows and getting into all kinds of trouble, you'd find them as would
follow in your track, so it's a pretty sure thing that a boy is bound to
walk straight because of the effect it'll have on others, even if for no
other reason."

Seth made no reply to this brief lecture; he was learning very much of
life through his intercourse with Ninety-four's men, and it seemed to
him as if each day some new idea regarding a boy's work was to be
gained.

"Your firebug has his chance this forenoon, eh?" 'Lish asked after a
short pause.

"Yes, sir, an' I'm hopin' mighty hard that he'll get off this t