Scattergood Baines

"Scattergood Baines" by Clarence Budington Kelland is an early 20th-century story about Scattergood Baines, a big, friendly man who goes to the Coldriver Valley to build a better life. He doesn't have much when he arrives, but he's determined and smart, figuring out how to fit into the town and its business world. When he first gets to Coldriver, everyone notices him because he's so large and cheerful, and he has new ideas about business. He wants to help the town grow and make money for himself at the same time. By getting a store, he shows he's planning to stay and change things in the valley. Scattergood isn't just a new resident, he's someone who wants to change Coldriver with new ideas and businesses, which sets up the challenges and friendships he'll face.