Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-06-17
S,UOO Reward!
OR Ctr WE'D

four years and two months. Dark brown
hair and eyes: large for his age; able to
tell his name. but perhaps not his resi-
dence Wore at the time Of his disappear
ance q white dress with blue sash, blue
flannel Jacket and straw sailor hat. Was
last seen upon the sidewalk in front of
said residence listening to the music Of
hand organ played by an old Italian. The
above reward will be paid for information
leading to the recovery of said Kenneth
Keith Lawrence. and all prosecutions will
~ JOHN KEITH LAWRENCE.
2013 Wellington Avenue.
September 12. 1896.
There We have it," continued the
reader, IAN l wish l was the kid. Folks
as can pay $4,000 reward must have
money to burn, an no mistake"
Scroggs made no reply; with hands
thrust deep into his pockets he was
staring blankiy at the bills before him.
The boys passed on, but still he stood
thoughtfully regarding the printed an
nouncement, and paying no heed for
once, to the fact that half his bills re-
manned unposted.
Another little crowd collected about
him; Scroggs retreated across the side
walk, and sitting down upon his paste
pot rested his head upon his hands and
continued to think deeply.
Another Charlie Ross Case" man
was saying in front of him.
Scroggs suddenly arose and swung
his paste pot over his back.
"I'Il do it," he muttered, mo matter
what comes of it. Why, it's the rum
NEST go 1 ever heard tell of, an s'pose
I might as well win that $4,000 as any
one!"
Down the street he marched, and be-
fore he had gone block his face had
lost it's grave expression and he was
again whistling merrily. 1t was q long
walk to Wellington avenue; miles and
miles it seemed to Scroggs, and after
he had reached the avenue he found
that he was still long distance from
No. 2O13, and the further he walked the
more imposing and grand were the resi-
dences that lined the street. Finally
he paused before large, handsome
building, set well back in the midst OF
a carefully trimmed lawn, and stared
thoughtfully over the iron gate. The
boy tried hard to decipher the bright
brass figures upon the gate, but finally
he nodded his head and muttered:
"This is the place, oil right I'm sure
o that"
Carelessly shifting his bill bag to the
other shoulder he opened the gate,
walked resolutely up the broad walk
to the front door, and rang the bell.
The tall servant in severe black who
opened the door looked at the minia-
ture bill poster in amazement.
"Mr. Lawrence in?" demanded
scroggs, meeting the mans gaze smil-
ingly.
ayes, he's in, but don't think you
can see him."
"oh, yes I can" returned the boy.
"You jest tell him I'm Scroggs, an I've
come to see him bout that kid"
"What kidd"
"The kid as was lost"
"Come in" said the servant, with
alacrity; that was the message he did
not dare to ignore.
Scroggs entered and sat down in the
big hall while the servant departed to
speak to his master. The boy eyed the
grand furniture with q perpleXed air,
and then, impelled by some recollec-
ton OF what was fitting, removed his
cap and thrust it into the pocket of his
jacket AS he did so Mr.. Lawrence en-
tered and hurriedly approached him.
You are the bill posters boy" he
said, after q start of recognition; IL
thought it was some one else. What is
it, my Lads anything wrong about
the bills?"
Not as I knows Of" replied Scroggs,
looking up earnestly into Mr.. Law
rcnce's face; 81 thought I'd come an
tell you bout the kid-him as was lost,
you know"
Mr.. Lawrence sank back into chair
with white face.
"What do you know of him% he
asked, in quick, agitated voice.
~ know everything" responded
scroggs, with grin. "I'm the kid"
"Youl" cried the man, springing to
his feet; impossible! What do you
mean, boy?"
"Now, don't you get excited" said
Scroggs, coolly; "jest set down agin an
listen, an I'll tell you all about it. You
see, couldn't read the bill myself, not
KNOWN how, but got another boy to
read it, an the mint he said 'Trotty'
1 knew it was me. Cause why? Trot-
tvs my name, sir. An allus knew ]
belonged to somebody, cause I never
belonged to old Scroggs, but for the
life O. me / couldn't remember who it
was"
By this time Mr.. Lawrence was trem-
bling violently and striving 70 pene-
trate the boys dirt-begrimed face in
search of familiar features; and now,
suddenly, the truth came to him in
mighty wave that swept away all
doubt.
"Come with me-" he cried, and, taking
the child's hand, led him up to his own
private room.
81 must be sure am right before /
speak to my wife," he thought; "disap-
pointment might kill her."
He carefully washed the CRIME from
scroggs' countenance, brushed back his
curly hair, and then, holding the rosy
face firmly between his two hands, ne
gazed upon it earnestly, studying every
line of the boys expressive features.
There was world of yearning and
tenderness in the fathers face, and sud-
denly he bent down and kissed Scroggs
softly upon his forehead.
"Tell me about it," he said, gently.
scroggs appeared both bewildered
and embarrassed at the warmth of his
reception, and was at first at a loss how