The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-01-04
HOW HE FOUND
HIS UNCLE
An Adventure in Which Newspaper
Reporter Took Part.
By EDWARD RIcKERT.


the reporter knew this, for he had
been doing the district for al hour and
half, tramping from police station To
hospital, and from hospital to police
station. This was the last station on
his lit and here he basked in the
grateful warmth Of the big red stove,
resolutely banishing all thoughts Of
the cold ride back TO the office.
wen have full house tonight -
said the sergeant behind the big desk.
Last night wasn't so C Id as this, and
we had fifty-four registered in this here
hotel"
Before Wickforth could answer, the
door opened to admit three applicants
for shelter overnight; the cold winter
winds drive many 10 the police stations
who at other times sleep-anywhere.
The guests gave their names, and were
then locked in a large room, warm
enough, but containing no quilts Of
eiderdown.
Soon a big policeman, red-faced from
cold, came in, carrying a young and
half-frozen opossum which a friendly
guard had found in the great park
nearby and given 10 him.
The sergeant laughed.
"Shall I credit you with an arrest,
JonesT' he asked, opening his big
book.
"Oh, no" said Jones, ''he's just an
ordinary bam what's heard Of your
hospitality and wants nights lodg-
IN"
The three examined the little animal
with interest as it lay on the desk,
peering at them with fierce but fright
ened little eyes. Suddenly having been
revived by the warmth, it gave an unex-
peeted leap TO the floor, and waddled
rapidly across it. Reporter, policeman
and sergeant all Joined in the chase.
AS it was passing the door some one
opened it, and promptly fell upon the
animal, elasping il 50 that it could not
bite.
The "some one was clearly neither
reporter, policeman nor ordinary
bum" His round eyes seemed nearly
as big as his ear muffs, as he looked up
from the floor where he sat, holding
aud stroking the little captive, which
now made no effort to get away.
Suddenly the big eyes filled
"Had a 'possum just like this at
home-his name was Dinky. That
was before mother died and father ana
started for tie city"
The sergeant picked him up-he was,
apparently, not more than ten years
old-and put him in big chair before
the fire, still holding fast to the opos-
sum. The big policeman neryOusly
patted him on the shoulder, while
Wiekforth skillfully encouraged him
to tell his story.
1t was simple and plain enough. His
name was Nelson Holloway. They
had lived in q small town, where his
mother had died. His father, out of
work and nearly penniless, had then
set out with him for the city, hoping to
find employment there.
On the way the father had become
i'll, and had been taken to a hospital in
small city on the railroad, where he
died. The people at the hospital gave
the boy little money and sent him
ON to the great city there was an uncle
in the city, his fathers brother, bat
estranged for a long time, and it was
the fathers last wish that the boy
should 90 to this uncle. Having lost
his way the station-hOuse looked bright
aud warm and 50 he had entered.
do you know your uncle's first
name ," said the reporter.
The lad, who was now struggling
bravely to keep the tears back, reached
into his pocket and pulled oat a small,
dirty slip of paper, on which was
written, "Mr. jeremiah c. Holloway
Wickf1rth started. Mr.. Holloway
owned large interest in the Day, the
paper on which he was employed.
Sometimes, when Mr.. Holloway
visited the newspaper establishment,
he penetrated even rs far Is the local
room,n and was avoided with careful
courtesy by the reporters there, on ac-
count Of his well known temper.
WickfOrth thoughtfully scratched
his head with one hand and laid the
other lightly on Nelson's heal. II his
pleading the boys case before Mr.. Hol-
loway were unwelcome he might lose
his position. Newspaper reporters
generally hold by slight tenure But
"You come home with me tonight,
Nelson" he said, decisively. THIN he
turned to the sergeant with smile.
Have pull enough with the police
to get this prisoner released ?''
"Well, if my own family wasn't so
large msbbe you wouldn't have, bat
you win see that he gets. into good
hands, won't you, Mr.. Wickforth? ?p
"Yes- and no." replied the reporter.
'I will introduce him to his uncle"
The big policeman looked relieved,
and handed Nelson preizel produced
from capacious- pocket; the boy a.e it