"The Fire Brigade" by Rev. Joseph C. Booth (1915)

The Fire Brigade.

BY (REV.) JOSEPH C. BOOTH.

'T was midnight and the village was asleep,

But, lo! a smoldering fire in flame broke out

And soon in fury blazed; I heard a shout:

"Fire! fire!" Half-dazed I, out of bed, did leap.

The mournful fire-bells rang, loudly and deep;

The fire brigade, heroic and devout,

Rushed to the scene, some hopeful, some in doubt,

To stay the flames of death's destructive sweep.

For hours, in doubt, the battled raged and then

I heard the Captain say: "The fire's in check;"

The crowd then cheered the brave, unselfish men,

Who saved the village from destruction's wreck.

Undying praise to them be ever made;

All honor to the noble fire brigade.

Troy Times. January 22, 1915: 12 col 1.