The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-12-26

A month before the meeting at
Frank Barton's house, the village OF
Ocean Point had a genuine sensation.
Jerry Scatterwood wasn't I the cause
of it, but he had very generous
hand in making it known.
you might have knocked me
over with a feather-duster when |
see the little chap peeping into my
cabin window down there on the
beach, the old fisherman had said,
as be stood at the counter of the
store waiting for his change. Make
that half a pound OF crackers a
whole pound, storekeeper, and bless
me if | don't 90 in for few nuts and
a bit o candy"
Don't be stingy with your tongue,
Jerry, tell us all about it." and the
men crowded around to hear what or
who it was for whom candy and
nuts were goin to the old hut on
Ocean Point Beach.
There's mighty little as | know
myself" said Jerry, pulling up a
long vest to make way for his change
into a pocket whose locality would
be a difficult one to determine. 1T
was nigh on to 8 o'clock last night,
just as was shutting up, when |
heard a sort O pattering like on the
window, ana if there wasn't n chap
as who I'd never set eyes on before,
then amt what ought 10 be, that's :
ALL"
naying told what he considered
the whole story, Jerry picked up
his purchase and started for the
door.
Hold on, tell us the rest; don't
open on US in that way and then
close up for the night" said the
storekeeper; give us the rest"
Rest, there amt no rest about 1t
l took him in and there he Il, anC
there he'll stay, too, tor awhile, fol
if I'm a Judge there's squally wealth
er ahead for that chap. He's jus
tuckered out. Said he come from
nowhere SO far as he could remember
and that they called him Budd t,
home, which was a long time agC
and long way back in the country
and say, boys, if you see Dr.. Bliyey
round tell him to drop in, and that
good of you,' and the old fisherman
opened the door ard went down tn,
frozen road and around the point 0
the bluff, and SO passed out OF sight
One evening, two weeks after Jer
~ Stattergood bought the cand,
and nuts for Budd, the little fellow
came and stood by the old fisherman
as he sat mending some nets by tn
light of the flickering fire.
''If you please, sir, s'pose linus
be going now"
Jerry dropped his net and takin:
Budd by the shoulder, turned hin
so that the light fell full upon Tn
boy. He was very small-that coul,
be told at q glance-but just how oil,
he was would have puzzled bette
Judge that the old fisherman; an,
as for his clothes they might wei
have been on since his first birthday
SO ragged and worn were they. Blu
the eager little face above the tatters
though pinched and worn with cole
and trouble, was frank and bright
almost merry, through it ali.
Must be a-going? Where?" sal,
Jerry, still keeping his hand OF
Budd's shoulder.
Il don't know, indeed | don't Nh
Jerry, but Is'pose / | can tramp OF
right along without going nowhere
in particular" and the boy cast I
wistful look at the bright fire a
though to remember its warmth il
the cold days to come.
'See here, little chap" and tn
fisherman drew Budd close besid
him, you say as how you've los
your mother, and as how there don
seem to be no home left for yol
for you somehow, and you cam
tramping miles and miles till yol
came here with your little fists a
cold as yesterdays potatoes, ant