“I want the privilege of giving you a full suit of clothes. Here is an order on a tailor, who will make whatever you may decide upon.”
While speaking the gentleman had pressed into Benny’s hand a slip of paper, and before the lad could reply Sam Hardy cried in delight:
“Of course No. 8 will do you the favor of takin’ it, an’, what’s more, it’s a mighty lucky thing for him. Here he has just been made a member of the crew, but hasn’t got a uniform to wear when he goes into the city. That order, Mr. Bradford, is just the ticket, and with Fluff C. Foster rigged out in a solid silver collar with a gold medal of honor, and Benjamin H. Foster in a regulation suit, brass buttons an’ all, this ’ere station will blossom out in regular shape.”
Benny was won by the idea of wearing a uniform like his comrades; but he looked toward Mr. Downey as if asking his permission to accept the gift.
“Take it, my lad, and thank the gentleman by so doing,” the keeper said with a smile. “What’s more, you shall go into the city with Sam Hardy to-morrow morning and be measured for the uniform.”
There was a wondrously bright gleam in Benny’s eyes as, taking the dog suddenly in his arms, he said to the generous visitor:
“We thank you awfully much, Mr. Bradford, an’ you may be sure Fluff will never do anything to make you ashamed of having given him such a beautiful collar and medal.”
[CHAPTER X.]
THE UNIFORM.
Mr. Bradford was in no haste to return home on this evening when he had decorated Fluff and provided Benny with the means of getting a uniform.