INTRODUCTION
My Dear Boys and Girls:
“Larry Barlow’s Ambition” relates the trials and adventures of a young country lad, who loves to run to fires, and whose ambition is to become a regular fireman in some large city, and to do something which will materially assist the usefulness of this all-important service.
Larry lives with his sister in a small village, and during his odd time conceives the idea of a patent extension ladder which, if successful, will be of great use in fighting fires in tall buildings. Full of pluck and determination he goes to New York, and because of his bravery at a fire manages to get into the regularly-paid fire department, after passing the necessary examinations.
From that time on our hero finds his occupation one full of peril and excitement. But he does his duty manfully, and works his way upward step by step. He befriends a girl whom he rescues at the burning of a hotel, and then does his share toward solving the mystery concerning the young lady’s heritage.
My main object in writing this tale was to give to the girls and boys some idea of fire departments as they exist in our large cities, especially in New York. We often see firemen at work, but as we watch their heroic and intelligent labors we give small thought to the manner in which they are schooled to do these things—for it is to a regular school of instructions that a New York fireman must go before he is allowed to “run with the machine,” as it is called.
Affectionately your friend,
ARTHUR M. WINFIELD.