Frostburg mining journal., 1883-12-22
BUDD OF NOWHERE'S CHRISTMAS.
BY G. NJ. S. HORTON.

1t was uphill work with the clock. From
half-past until 4, the minute hand didn't
seem to have life enough left to pull itself up to
the figure XII, which was half-hidden by the
gorgeous painting of the setting sun, whose
rays struck out in every direction over the gem
erous face Of the old timepiece 1t was dis
NAL afternoon and even the master looked at
his watch to see if the long pendulum weren't
mapping.
No, for even while he looked, the minute
hand on the clock passed two of the sunset
rays, and eclipsed third; and the little BOYS
in the lowest row saw it and rejoiced
l will not pretend to say that something
which happened just then was right. l will
leave that for you to decide at the end of my
story.
Barton passed the note under his desk, and
Moore read it behind his book, and here is the
note that Moore read:
CHILLY:
''Shall we try it tonight? F."
Then it was that the master looked at his
watch, and Moore scribbled with his left hand,
while his right hand was apparently finding
references in his book, with due anxiety. The
scribbling was lnelegant but effective and the
note went back. Barton nodded and Moore
winked-a decorous retiring wink-and the
minute hand slowly passed up over the face of
the clock, vanquishing the gorgeous rays in slow
succession.
At last the clock struck Whether it had been
recently wound, or whether the striking part
was not on friendly terms with the pendulum
and wanted to challenge it to burst of speed,
can't say; but the way the clock struck four
was enough to make locomotive black in the
face to equal it.
Out on the playground the notes were passed
from boy to boy.
''You all know what it is to be- fellows" said
Barton, with that hearty voice of his; show
many will ioin?"
Not boy short of the whole of them
''Well give Budd of Nowhere such a"
"Hush, perhaps he's round"
"No, he went home at recess" said Moore
'and poor little shivering chap he was too"
'Half-past tonight sharp" cried Barton to
the boys as they scattered in groups Of two and
three through the streets of the Villages and a
cheery "all right" was echoed from each.
There was so much mystery at that meeting
so much of things going on which those in
attendance alone were to know, that feel it
would be sad breach of confidence if tell
syllable of the proceedings.
1t is hard to keep myself from it-hard not to
tell of the boyish sacrifices made that night and
of the unseltish, tender words that sprang
straight from the boyish hearts. don't like to
lecture, and promise that will not, but tell
you that was the time and place for those who
don't altogether believe in boys.
toms house, the village Of Ocean Point had
genuine sensation. Jerry Scattergood wasn't
the cause of it, but he had very generous
hand in making it known.
'fYou might have knocked me over with q
feather-duster when l see the little chap peep
ing into my cabin-window down there ON the
beach," the old fisherman had said, as he stood
at the counter OF the store waiting for his
change. snake that half pound of crackers
whole pound, storekeeper, and bless me if 1
don't go in for few nuts and 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 going to the old hut on
Ocean Point Beach.
'There's mighty little as know myself" said
Jerry, pulling up o long vest to make way for
his change into pocket whose locality would
be a difficult one to determine. SIT was nigh
on to 8 O'Clock last night, just as l was shutting
up, when heard sort o pattering like on the
window, and if there wasn't chap as who I'd
never set eyes on before, then l amt what
ought to be, that's ALL
Having told what he considered the whole
story, jerry picked up his purchase and started
for the door.
"IIold 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 it. / took
him in and there he is, and there he'll stay, too
for awhile, for if I'm judge there's squally
weather ahead for that chap He's Just tuck
cred out. Said he come from nowhere so far
as he could remember, and that they called him
Budd 70 home, which was a long time ago and
a long way back in the country; and say, boys,
if you see DIR. Bliven round tell him to drop in,
and that's good OF you," and the old fisherman
opened the door and went down the frozen road
and around the point of the bluff, and SO
passed out of sight
One evening, two weeks after Jerry Scatter
good bought the candy and nuts for Budd, the
little fellow came and stood by the old fisher
man as he sat mending some nets by the light
of the Pickering fire.
'If you please, sir, Is'pose I must be going
now"
Jerry dropped his net and taking Budd by
the shoulder, turned him SO that the light fell
full upon the boy. He was very small-that
could be told at glance-but just how old he
was would have puzzled better judge than the
old fisherman; and as for his clothes they
might well have been on since his first birth
day, so ragged and worn were they. But the
eager little face above the tatters, though
pinched and worn with cold and trouble, was
frank and bright, almost merry, through ii all.
"AIust be a-going? Where Z" said Jerry,
still keeping his hand on Budd's shoulder.
81 don't know, indeed don't, Mr. jerry but
l spose can tramp on right along without 60
ing nowheres in particular and the boy cast a
wistfu look at the bright fire as though to re-
Y,,ar,1baf itq uyarfntI in tho cold 1ovq IN cnfne