New-York tribune., 1901-08-25
A BUTLER SPOON STORY.
JOHN BUDD'S DEFENCE OF HIS OLD
COMMANDERS MEMORY.

chapter in his life is strange enough for most
people.
Budd of twin brothers. His parents
died when he was an infant and the two little
shavers were taken in hand by charitable peo-
pie. No one family desired both of the twins
and so the boys separated John Budd
was adopted by a French Ca madam family AMI
was taken into Canada and there reared. His
brother Thomas was taken into Scotch family
In the provinces and there arrived at manhood
After they had become men the brothers traced
each other out and met. but they required an
Interpreter before they could converse. John
had lived among French Canadians all his life
and had not then learned TO speak English The
brother had broad Scotch accent that might
bother even Yankee ear.
For years John Budd has been the toll gath
erer at the end of the Wiscasset bridge, the
longest in the State of Maine. 1t is built
trestleS and is something mile long.
Whenever Chief Justice Peters. now retired, held
court at Wiscasset each April and October he
never allowed a day to pass without calling en-
John Budd at the toll office. The chat of the
old man amused the justice very much, for, IS
the most noted wit and raconteur in Maine: he
loves picturesqueness of character than
any other attribute. He knows intimately every
quaint old chap in the State.
\ few days ago Budd was sitting in the sun al
the door of his little booth smoking his piIe
Two young men, evidently city boys pedes-
trian tour, came along across the bridge AID
stopped to pay their toll. They eased Their
knapsacks off their shoulders and sat down
bench at the side of the booth for a moments
rest. Budd naturally asked them whence they
had come and whittier they going.
our home is in New Orleans said the older
Of the young men. We up here in Maine
for the summer"
81 med in (OrIa at tirn.4 cgil
Budd.
When was that?'
When l was with General Butler"
The faces Of the young men hardened. The
Older one said. with much bitterness Of tone:
Well. you can't be very proud Of that"
And Why not. you young snippet?" demand
Iudd with just much asperity.
because Butler was an insulter of women.
tyrant and old thief: that's what he was,
and the boys of New Orleans who never saw
him hate him just as much as the men ana tie
women who suffered from his orders And. e.
sides. he stole all the spoons out Of my grand
fathers hotel"
He did eh?' snapped Budd. What was The
name Of your grandfather's hotel?'
The ST Charles"
You just wait a moment. young man
Budd went upstairs into his living room and
brought down heavy bag.
lie opened IL ana took out handful OF spoons.
ON the handle of each was engraved st
Charles"
What do those look like" demanded Budd
Why. those some of the spoons from my
grancfather's hotel"' gasped the young man.
Where did You come those
- stole en- said Budd placidIy And l
know who stole the of 'em-and we all did
it at the risk of lives for if General Butler
had known il he would have had us strung up.
Now you take back what you said about him.
Take it back | will dump you both over the
rail there
Daunted by the glare in the eyes Of the old
man. the boys apologized for their hasty words
Then the older said
Sir. my father will pay any price for those
old spoons. l don't know just how much money
| have With me, but l will give it to you. every
cent if You will give me those memorials of my
grandfather They can he worth nothing more
to you now"
Let me tell YOU" replied Budd. that YOU
couldn't bring money enough in a two-horse
wagon to buy of them I'm thief; I'm
not trying To make money by stealing | took
those spoons plumber of war. and I'm going
KEEP EN- You can't buy 'em and you can't
want to save your spoons that you've got
down there don't you ever declare against
the North again These spoons staying up here