JACKO CALLS OUT THE FIRE BRIGADE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20127, 21 April 1928, Page 20 (Supplement)

JACKO CALLS OUT THE FIRE BRIGADE

Jacko kept telling his mother one afternoon how dull things were and how he wished he could make life a bit brighter. ‘‘You make lite quite bright enough for me,” said his mother. “I’m sure you ncivln’t. wish it to be brighter!” Jacko didn’t know if that meant to be a compliment or not, au-r said so. ‘‘lf the cap fits wear it,” said Mrs Jacko, smiling; and she added tbar, on the whole, Jacko was a very helpful boy. Jacko was sauntering home that evening, still wishing something exciting would happen, when he suddenly noticed great flames leaping up from the direction of the Manor House. “Coo!” he thought, “the Alanor’s on lire! I wonder if the Fire Brigade knows.” And off he dashed to the Fire Station. The firemen got very excited when I Jacko told them the Alanor House wua on fire, and said it must be a very serious outbreak, because nobody from j the Alanor had apparently been able to ring them up about it. They mane hi tremendous noise with the hooter land got into their uniforms with amazing quickness. Then they ran out the engine. “Bravo, young fellow!” the captain said to Jacko. ‘‘We’re very much indebted to you; I have no doubt the Squire will give you a handsome reward. ’ 9 Jacko felt very proud of himself, an I said he would be glad to help them on any futuie occasion. Then off they went in fine stylo. Jacko drove through the town with them, feeling as pleased as Punch. The people collected in the streets when they heard them coming, and 1 they all cheered as the engine dashed by. It didn’t take them long to get tn th e Alanor. The crowd rushed to fling open the big gates for them, and tbey swept up the long drive like fury. The Squire, who happened to be starting for a walk, met them at tho house and asked what the matter was. “Alattcr?” said the Captain. “Why, your place is on tire, sir. The flames can be seen a mile off.” “You don’t say so!” exclaimed the Squire. “I had no idea! It must oe at the back of the house.” They got out the hose and dashed round to the back, and there, to the firemen’s bewilderment and annoyance, was the gardener, busily heaping barrowloads of dead leaves on an enormous bonfire. Although there was no fire after all Jacko saw that for him things wouM soon get rather hot, and he very wisely disappeared. “They’ll feel wild with me for making such fools of them,” he said to himself. And so they did. The Captain of the Fire Brigade was furious. “Where’s that young rascal?” ho roared. “T’ll give him something fur his tricks!” But Jacko could not be found.