CHAPTER IV

THE BLUE BIRDS VISIT HAPPY HILLS

A week had passed by swiftly while the Firemen and Police Force practiced and drilled constantly to become proficient in their work. And the official nurses found many little ways in which to help with the smaller children and when anyone was in trouble. Miss Martin had thought out a plan, and was beginning a story-telling class to be held directly after luncheon in the big Refectory. She purposely called it story-telling so the Little Citizens wouldn’t think they were being bored with lessons or class.

“Now, boys, show me what you can do today--for tomorrow our visitors are coming, you know,” said Uncle Ben, as he called his Firemen and Police together at the Big Park, as it was styled.

But there were still other squads waiting to show off what they could do, and these groups had not yet been introduced to the general public.

“I’ll tell you, my friends, what I discovered after our last week’s meeting. I found that we needed a Camp Cleaning Department and a Health Department. The Camp Cleaners are elected every two weeks, and the ones doing their work best during the two weeks win medals. Those in the Health Department work a month, and are given a certificate if the time has been well applied to duty. The reason for limiting the Cleaning Department to two weeks is because there is much daily work to attend to, and this Force really works more in two weeks than any other department in a month.

“The Nurses are under the Health Department and both the Health and Nurse Departments are supervised by the Infirmary Head.

“Tomorrow morning the Street Cleaning Department begins work. Each of the twelve boys is equipped with a big round basket on a push-mobile, and a broom and shovel. The paths that lead through or across the camp-site will be cleaned of papers, or any other trash that is likely to fly about where there are so many children. It is the duty of every Mother Wings to have the trash-bag waiting in front of the Nest so the Cleaning Department can remove the bags and leave empty ones in their place--exactly as we do in New York.

“The Health Board must visit and inspect the Nests each day and report any lack of attention or seeming cause for concern to the Mother’s Helpers, Nurses, and Infirmary Head. Then the Helper investigates at once and the Nurse sees if there is anything she can do, and both report to the Infirmary. If it is serious the Head immediately attends to it.

“Our Health Board wears this uniform,” and Uncle Ben held up white percale overalls with blue stripes on the collar and cuffs of the under-blouse that went with it.

“And our Street Cleaning Department wears this uniform,” then a pair of white overalls without stripes, but a white helmet to match the overalls, were shown to the enthusiastic Little Citizens.

“Isn’t this the most fun you ever heard of?” cried one boy, who was a Health Officer.

“Oh! I wish we could live at Happy Hills all the time!” came from a Policeman, wistfully.

“Now Little Citizens, we will stand back and watch a trial drill of our brave Firemen,” called Uncle Ben.

The big boys belonging to the fire department now ran to the shed they had called the “Fire-house,” and were soon in their uniforms. Then they performed as only eager, enthusiastic boys can before a number of spectators. They were applauded loudly and Uncle Ben said they were ready for the Grand Exhibit on the morrow.

The Police Force drilled next, and they, too, were heartily applauded. The second exhibition ended, Uncle Ben ordered all to fall in line and march away to play.

“Wish we had a brass band, Mr. Ta’mage! Wouldn’t it be fun to have parades!” called the Fire Chief.

“Say, Bill, that’s a fine idea! Are there any Little Citizens here who can play on an instrument?” asked Uncle Ben.

“I kin play a fiddle!” squeaked a weak boy’s voice.

“I’ve got a mouth-organ,” called another.

“I beat the drum!”

“I ust to play a fife.”

“I can blow a horn--I got paid fer it on the East Side, when any patent medicine quack wanted to get a crowd around to buy his stuff,” admitted one of the big Firemen.

And a score or so of boys all cried that they wanted to play something in the band. Uncle Ben knew music was a great thing in a community even if it had a discordant sound at first; it would be helpful and elevating for them even to try and play.

“I’m going to act on Bill’s suggestion at once! I will wire Mr. Richards to pick out the instruments we may need to begin a Camp Band. He will know what to buy,” declared Uncle Ben.

“Say, Mister Ta’mage, tell him not to waste his good money buyin’ ’em new--he kin git all kinds and all sizes of music instruments at a pawn-shop along the Bowery. Me brudder got a fine bass horn at one, fer a quarter of what it was wuth!” bawled a big East Side German boy.

“Yah! Hear Dutchy talk! It takes your big brudder what was practicin’ music fer yer Kaiser, to grab a bargain!” jeered Young Italy.

“He didn’t not! My brudder is blowin’ his horn fer a enlist camp on Long Island--so now! An’ my fadder and mudder are natural Americaners, I want to tell you yet!” retorted Bill.

“Here, here, boys! No war arguments at Happy Hills! It is absolutely forbidden! Bill is as good a citizen as I am and should anyone question my veracity on the subject, he can leave camp now! We don’t want to give our Police Force any unnecessary trouble and I know what such a discussion will lead up to.”

“Mr. Ta’mage, I gotta cymbals to my house in New York. My uncle left them wid us when he was drafted,” said another boy from the ranks.

“You write at once, Jimmy, and ask your mother to send them on to us,--collect. You can play the cymbals in the band,” declared Uncle Ben.

But that brought down a flood of trouble upon his unsuspecting head, as every boy at camp instantly yelled and begged for some position in the new Brass Band, although many of them had not the slightest idea of the difference between a half-note and a fish-worm.

“It all boils down to this: We’ve got to buy instruments and all take part in the band. The girls will have to take up the choral work and give musicals in singing while we accompany them in playing,” determined Uncle Ben.

The Blue Birds and Bobolinks arrived about noon, the day following the drill and the decision to start a brass band. As the noisy party stopped before Aunt Selina’s door, each one tried to crane his neck for a glimpse of the wonderful camp they had been the means of founding. But the trees screened everything from curious eyes; still the shouting and laughter could be heard, although even that was mellowed by the distance from the house.

“Oh, Uncle Ben, we are wild to see the Little Citizens. Aunt Selina and you have not written half enough to satisfy us!” cried Ruth Talmage, as she jumped at her uncle, the moment the automobile stopped.

“Uncle Ben, Mr. Richards telephoned us this morning early, that he couldn’t come with us. You must have told him to get some stuff in New York. He said he would attend to it today and leave the city on a midnight train, so’s to be here tomorrow,” said Ned Talmage, delivering the message as he was asked.

“That’s fine, Ned! If Mr. Richards can get what I want there will be a heap of fun at Happy Hills this summer,” replied Uncle Ben.

“As if there was no fun here!” laughed Miss Selina.

“Come on,--come on, and don’t stand there talking! I want to see the camp,” called Don Starr, catching hold of Jinks’ hand to pull him away.

“Wait a moment! Don’t you want something to eat?” questioned Mr. Talmage.

“But why can’t we eat in the Refectory with the Citizens?” wondered Meredith Starr aloud.

“Sure thing, Uncle Ben! We don’t want a ready-made house with fine furniture and things, when we have a dandy camp right at hand where a fellow can rough it for a few days!” added Don, and he felt very impressive with the manner in which he said “rough it.”

The Little Citizens were expecting their young benefactors, and the whole camp was as spick and span as a Street Cleaning Department could make it; and every child was polished till it shone, thanks to the Mother’s Helpers; and the Police Force was uniformed and waiting at cross paths of the camp ready to salute the group of Blue Birds and Bobolinks the moment they passed the City Line. Only the Fire Department was invisible, but they were waiting impatiently at the Fire House for the signal that would bring them out in a glorious show.

For be it known, my friends, that the Police Force, the Street Cleaning Department, and the Fire Company, had planned a secret all unknown to Uncle Ben, or any Little Citizen--at least a non-official citizen--that meant the girls, as every boy in camp belonged to some Civic Department or other and wore its uniform.

The secret was so well guarded that not even I had a peep of it, but it was dreadfully exciting as one could tell by the flushed faces and meaning signals that passed between the important branches of the Camp Government.

“Dere dey come--jus’ leavin’ de house!” called Jimmy, who was perched up on an electric light pole to spy.

“Which way are dey takin’--Primrose Walk or Daffodil Lane?” asked an eager voice from the crowd.

“Comin’ straight down Daffodil Lane--gee! dem boys what calls demselves Bobolinks are swells all right!” said Jimmy, as he slid quickly down the pole and joined his comrades.

“How many of ’em?” asked a boy.

“’Bout six er eight--big and little.”

“How little?” came from several small boys.

“Two look to be about eight, some look ten and de udders about Dutchy’s age,” explained Jimmy, which goes to tell the reader that Bill, the boy of German parentage had to suffer the nickname of “Dutchy” in spite of Uncle Ben’s protests. A boy will be a boy the world over!

“Now--all ready for the cry!” warned the Fire Chief.

“One, two, three--yell!”

Just as Uncle Ben and his little friends came up to the camp-boundary line, the Little Citizens gave a war-cry of:

“Lit! Lit! Lit-tle Cits! Cit! Cit! Cit-i-zens! Unc! Unc! Uncle Ben! Hurrah for the Prince of Men! Bob! Bob! Bob-o-links! Blue! Blue! Blue Birds too! Aunt! Aunt! Aunt S’li-na! ’Rah! ’Rah! Flutey Mah!”

The concerted chorus, and the syncopated action of the scores of hearty voices was deafening to the newcomers, especially as it was unexpected; but it was most satisfying as the laughter and hurrahs attested the moment the welcome was ended.

Aunt Selina laughed and laughed at the way the Little Citizens ’rahed for Flutey Mah!

The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were then escorted about the wonderful camp and shown everything important or otherwise. Even the mud-pies made by Maggie’s baby brother that morning had to be shown and laughed over!

“Now, my Publishing Friends, we will adjourn to the Fire-house and watch the Fire Company drill,” announced Uncle Ben.

“What Fire Company?” asked Don, amazed--as were the other visitors, too.

“You’ll soon see! Have you failed to see the Police Squad keeping order about the town?” laughed Uncle Ben.

So eager and curious about other things had the Blue Birds and Bobolinks been, that they had not seen the stiff boys at guard in blue uniforms.

“Well, I never!” exclaimed Ruth.

“Whose idea is that?” questioned Meredith.

Without reply, Uncle Ben gave a signal to his police and the men saluted, turned upon their heel, and marched away in single file towards the Fire-house.

“Oh! I want to be a fireman, too! Isn’t it fun!” cried Don, running after the departing Force much as a small boy would at a circus parade.

“Now, come and see my Firemen drill,” added Uncle Ben, laughing at the amazement on the faces about him.

“How lovely!” cried Vene Starr, as she realized what had been planned by Uncle Ben for their entertainment.

Immediately after the Blue Birds and Bobolinks were stationed on a small platform near the Fire-house, a Policeman rang the fire-gong in the center of the camp-town. It was a great iron hoop hung upon a cross-beam and was sounded by striking it with a bar of metal.

Not until this moment had Uncle Ben noticed anything unusual about the Park, but now he saw a column of smoke issuing from a structure at one end of the field that had not been there the day before. It was loosely built of old boards and discarded lumber thrown aside by the carpenters when building the Nests. He understood what it meant, too.

The moment the fire-gong sounded, the Little Citizens standing about to watch the fun, began yelling at the top of their lungs: “Fire! Fire! Save us from the fire!”

Then they all started to run for the temporary house at the end of the field. At the same time, the Fire Department flung open the doors of its house and rushed out pulling the hand-engine at their heels. The boys with the hose reel followed, and last came the Hook and Ladder Team.

All made for the now flaming structure and naturally, the visitors ran too, to watch at close hand the daring and bravery of the Fire Department. Uncle Ben hoped the sparks from the fire would not start anything else as it was too near the Nests for safety.

The Fire-engine reached the scene, and while they were getting ready to pump water from the creek into and through the hose-pipes, the other firemen were screwing nozzles to the hose, and connecting up the lengths so that it would reach the burning dwelling.

Other firemen were placing ladders against the side of the frail structure to pretend they were climbing up to save lives, but Uncle Ben protested quickly.

“Don’t dare too much, boys! The shack will collapse with a suddenness that will give you no time to get away! Don’t scale the ladders!”

While he spoke, other boys were using axes and rams on the wooden frame to show how a closed and locked house can be made to give way before a fireman. But the advice reached the excited boys too late! The blows from ram and axe had shaken the loose frame, and the flames on the inside had eaten a way through the corner-posts that held up the shack.

Just as the weight of Bill was brought full against the side of the building, the whole thing fell in like a house of cards. The ladder and fireman fell with it. Instantly a dense smoke arose from the fresh fuel, and sparks flew out in every direction.

“Life Savers! Life Savers!” yelled the few boys who had seen the accident, and they rushed in to grab Dutchy from the leaping tongues of flame that now licked up the wood.

The firemen at the creek heard shouting and calling but they thought it was all part of the game so they began pumping water into the hose, and momentarily expected to see a fine stream played upon the fire.

But the nozzle had been dropped when Bill fell headlong into the fire and the two firemen ran to help drag him out; now the nozzle lay pointing directly at the Blue Birds and Bobolinks who were intensely concerned over pulling Bill safely out of the fire.

Suddenly a great stream of water shot out of the nozzle and quickly drenched the girls standing in its pathway. Don, taking in the situation at a glance, ran over to hold the hose properly and turn it upon the blaze.

He secured the nozzle all right, but in turning toward the fire he had to sweep it about in a circle, and in so doing, the rush of water from the hose managed to drench everyone in the radius of its swirl.

Amidst the screaming from the girls and the shouting advices from the boys, the firemen yelled and worked, while Don did his best to flood everyone near the almost burnt-down building with the stream pouring incessantly from the nozzle that was being so carelessly directed by him.

“For goodness sake who’s driving that flood after me wherever I run to get away from it?” now bawled Uncle Ben, as nearly angry as he had ever been.

“Here, you! Gimme dat hose--cain’t ye see ye ain’t sendin’ a drop on de fire but soakin’ yer fren’s!” shouted Jimmy, as he caught the nozzle from Don, and poured one last flood down Dutchy’s back.

When poor Dutchy Bill could gasp again, he managed to say: “Did any of you’se blockheads t’ink a feller coul’ burn wid all de creek emptyin’ itself on his back!”

But that was only his way of showing how thankful he was for the timely aid given him by his companions. For he would have been seriously injured had not the other boys been quick to drag him forth from the flames.

“That was some fire, boys!” declared the Chief, delightedly, as he ordered the Company back to their quarters.

“I thought it was a flood--not a fire!” commented Ned, as he tried to wring out his light summer coat.

“We all look as if we had just come out of the ocean,” added Dot, grinning at the clinging organdie dresses of her companions.

“Still, it was a good blaze and heaps of excitement, and that’s all a fellow wants at a real fire, you know,” explained Jinks, as he remembered the fire where Mete and he had saved some lives.

“If that were all that was needed at a fire then every city fire would be a success as there is always excitement to be had and a big blaze if you give it time,” said Uncle Ben, who had recovered his good-humor.

The fire apparatus was replaced in the house and the brave firemen came out to be congratulated on their prowess. Don being the only dry Bobolink of his party, stood watching the boys, and finally said:

“Uncle Ben, you ought to have given a medal for bravery! Bill scaled the ladder in spite of danger to life and limb.”

“We’re going to give you the medal this time!” replied Uncle Ben, seriously.

“Me! What for--what did I do?”

“You wasted more water than Happy Hills uses in a month, and you spoiled a dozen or so good dresses and suits, so we will present you with a leather medal!”

At that the older children laughed merrily, and Don knew a leather medal was nothing to be proud of; still he kept his tongue under control until he had had time to ask someone what a leather medal meant anyway!