The Nome daily nugget., 1937-08-20


 in the spring sunshine, the smell of the flats and the shrll chirp of the early ring -neCks that were diggin' for sand worms in the mud. As l worked away with the twine it comes into my head all at once. l wonder who'll get the widder Bascom? Sid Bascom had been lost off on the Kittle year be- fore in a nor'west squall. His boat was picked up miles off shore but the body was never found.
 Judith Bascom mourned for good husband, like the good woman she was. But she was fishermans daughter and had known many sea tragedies in the 10 years she had lived at Skulpin Cove. Judith Bascom was handsome wom- an, sun-tanned face, good form in spite of the years. brown eyes that twinkled, and. like most all the daughters of fishermen, had quick wit and ready answer
 Sid Bascom had left his wife fairly well off-a small farm borderin' on the beach, fair payin' business. and some money There had been no chil- dren and l often wondered if Judith didn't get lonesome. She was at the landin' one day buyin' fish as the boats came ashore, and says jokin': "Jude. you look tired"
 Yes she comes back, ". am tired. Trume, and lonesome. Can't you find me man?'
 "Plenty of em fussin' round, Jude" l says. Cant you sort one out? There's Deacon Goodwin and Skipper Sol Becker, both bout your age and we'll fxed.'
 "A saint and sinner says Judy. "One thinks he is and the other knows he s,' and she went on buyn' cod
 As l sat there workin on the twine that day l heard somebody clumpin' up the path round the point with rub Der boots on, hummin' a hymn tune: "On the other side of Jordan in the sweet fields of Eden," but when he sees the fishhouse door open he slacks up his singin' and hauls to. Good after noon, Truman. Hope you are feelin' we'll today"
 Preferable, Deacon Goodwin. Hope you're the same. Come in and rest yourself see you been lumpin.'" He had two-tine fork on his shoulder and big lump fish on each tine. In the spring the tide leaves the Jumps in the little ponds among the lodges. and the natives get them with forks.
 The Deacon sets down on a trawl tub, fidgets some, and asks Truman, what do you think of the widder Bas- com?"
 No smarter woman round the Cove" says. "and it don't hurt much to look at her. Are you thinkin some in that quarter, Deacon?'
 'I have given some thought and prayer to the matter and 1 need a com panion and helper up to my house. but Judith is not church. -goin' woman," he says.
 Don't let that worry ye any, Dea- con. You never heard a word ag'in' Judith Bascom," l says, and your church door is wide"
 The Deacon shouldered his lump fish and went off up across to his house.
 am about ready to quit and call it a day when 1 hears another songster comin' down the Cove road: Hi de di de, Skipper the dee! How love to sing to thee.
 I sing with joy and l sing with glee, For I'm just as young as used to be"
 Skipper Sol Becker shoots up in front of the door and comes in. Good nature sticks out all over Skipper Sol, and mighty good lookin', big, wholesome man ne is. He had been to town and was feelin some chipper. Hello there, Trume," halls Skipper Sol. "Got any thing in the cupboard?"
 Always drop for you, Capn Sol" l says. "Set down while get it.
 "Trume." says the skipper. q got bout tired ben' an old bach and Fin thinkin' bout askin' Judy Bascom to splice up with me. We've always been good friends. Do you think she'll have me?"
 You old fool,' says, do you think you can get wife thout doin some courtin? Go see Judy and take her round some. Yon've got a good hoss and buggy. Another thing. Deacon Goodwin is settin' his cap in that quarter"
 "Deacon Goodwin cOurtin' Judy Ras com' barks the skipper. If catches that old Bible-back skinfint cruisn' round her I'll carry away his jib."
 Soon after that the Cove g0ssips were busy. Deacon Goodwin was callin' on Judy Bascom Wednesday nights. and she was gon riding with tapn Sol Becker Sunday afternoons. Of course the Deacon finds it out and