The story
“Willie Stone is only six years old, but he yearns to be a fireman. He is much impressed with the parade of firemen he sees in his hometown, so much so in fact that he basely deserts his sister on the streets to follow the ‘smoke eaters.’ But Willie is only a little boy, and despite his enthusiasm, he is soon weary and footsore. His plight, added to his tears, attracts the attention of a kindly fireman who is driving with his engine back to quarters. The lad’s discomfort is soon forgotten, for the fireman gives him a ride back to the engine house. There Willie gravely applies to the captain for a position on the uniformed force, and is jokingly accepted. But he does not see the humor in it and follows the other men to the bunkroom, where he takes part in their sports.
“But in the midst of the happiest day of his life, an alarm is sounded, and the firemen hastily slide down the pole to their duty. The new fireman, however, is not the kind to be deserted. Grabbing the helmet, the insignia of his office, he follows the others, but it is too late to go to the fire. He arrives in time to hold them up on their way back, but is captured by his weeping sister. He does not wish to leave his command, but his friend, fireman Jack Allen, finally induces him to go on the promise that he, Jack, will call later. Perhaps one reason Jack is so accommodating is because he likes sister. Jack pays ardent court to her, and the flame of their affection resists all of young Willie’s efforts to put it out. He didn’t really mean to try, but he assuredly poured cold water on Jack, for it was in the line of what he regarded as his duty.”
Summary from The Moving Picture World · 12 November 1910
