The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-12
MR.. DICK ROGERS,
CITY BILL POSTER

confused a of papers which litteret
his desk, and mis- eyes fixed intentI,
upon his morning newspaper.
From amid the stream of passing We
hicles a handsome carriage drew VI
before the door,. MI. Rogers looked owe
the top of his paper and watched
gentleman step out upon the sidewalk
followed by a servant bearing in HI
arms a huge package. This the e
ant placed upon the table, and re
turned to the carriage.
Il have come once more to employ
your services, you see, Mr.. Rogers,
said the caller, in a quiet, digniiec
voice.
Just So" responded the bill poster
with a nod. $50 another year is up
eh? Mercy me! how time flies. Tn
gettin' TO gauge time by your visits,
Mr.. Lawrence; you're as regular as
clockwork. Let me see-this is the
sixth year, amt it?"
"Yes, this is the sixth year. How
many times more 1 shall be obliged to
come to you God only knows. 1 think
1 should have already abandoned the
attempt were it not for my poor wife's
sake"
His voice tremblsd a little and he
turned a rather appealing and depreca-
tory glance upon the unmoved face of
Mr.. Rogers.
Never say die. sir" remarked the
bill poster, cheerfully. q 'spose you'd
like 'em out right away?"
IF you please"
SCOT a boy at liberty right now" He
walked to a rear door, opened it partly
and shouted:
"Scroggs!"
"Yepi" answered a clear voice.
bag, bucket and brush!" roared Mr..
Rogers.
Right We are!" came the reply, SEEM
ingly from a distant apartment.
Mr.. Rogers closed the door and re-
turned to his chair.
"~Scroggs1l do the job beautiful" he
remarked.
Are you sure he's reliable?" asked
Mr.. Lawrence, anxiously. 81 am almost
afraid to trust this to a mere boy"
That's Scroggs' strong point-he's
reliable. Hain't been with me quite a
year, but I'd trust him a~nywheres.
Never neglects a likely place, al never
Genes back till the last sheet is posted.
That kid1l make a great man one G
these days. 1 shall always give him
your job after this, for 1 know you'll
like his work"
Mr.. Lawrence sighed at this intima-
ton of the ~fruitlessness of his efforts,
and the two men sat silently until the
door was burst open and a boy of
about ten years entered. He wore a
bill posters white jacket and trousers,
very much spotted and soiled, a small
cap was set far back upon his curly
head, and in his hand he pore a canvas
bag and a fiat paste-bucket with q
brush sticking out of the side.
Here v are, Dick" he announced.
Prompt as a biscuit, amt he ?" asked
Mr.. Rogers, casting an admiring look
az his small assistant. "Now, Scroggs,
this gentleman is very particular about
his work. They're quarter-sheets an
easy handled, an they're to go in every
likely spot you can find"
Specials, eh?" said Scroggs, as be
stopped over the package, cut the cord
and began filling his canvas bag with
the sheets.
Very special, my boy" said Mr..
Lawrence, earnestly. You'll not neg
lect the work, will you?"
Scroggs Strengthened up and regard
ed him with a look of panied surprise.
Dye know what they calls me, sir?
Why. it's 'Scroggs, the Reliable!' I'm
proud o that. When l turns up my
toes, sir. I'm a-goin' to have this cut on
my tombstone: Here lies Scroggs, who
never missed a stick!' An 1 won't
neglec' your work, cause why? Cause
it would spite the motter on the tomb
stone. Them air bil!s'l go up full count
an all right"
He slung the bag over his shoulder
and the paste-pot upon his back. Then
he bobbed his head at the two gentle
men and passed out the door.
"A strange boy" said Mr.. Lawrence,
musingly, land very young for such
work. Are not those bills and the paste
too heavy for him?"
BLESS We, moi" replied Mr.. Rogers.
~Scroggs likes pastin'. He stops so
often, you see, he don't mind the weight
1t were a lucky day for me when old
Scroggs, the blind man, died, an 1 goE
that boy. I'd noticed him leadin' that
old man around as keerful as a kitten,
an 1 says to myself, a kid ash take
that pains with his old dad has good
stuff in him-an' 1 were right. He's
sharper'n chain lightnin' too"
Mr.. Lawrence settled his bill and re-
entered his carriage. The bill poster
relighted his cigar and watched the
equipage as it rolled away.
That ducks OF d regular wild goose
re reflected, "but that's no bust
ness O. mine. Iexpect he'll be a regular
customer for years to come"
Meanwhile Scroggs pursued his way
up one street and down another, leav-
ing a trail of bills wherever he went.
They were odd-looking bills, he no.
eiced. with great black letters at thei'