The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-12
what do YOU know of b;m?- hid

"1ou!" cried the man, sPringing to
his feet; impossible! What do you
mean, boy?"
"Now, don't you get excited" said
Scroggs, coolly; lest set down agin an
listen, an I'll tell you all about it. You
see, 1 couldn't read the bill myself, not
KNOWN how, but 1 got another boy to
read it, an the mint he said 'Trotty'
l knew it was me. Cause why? Trot-
tvs my name, sir. An 1 allus knew /
belonged to somebody, cause I never
belonged to old Scroggs, but for the
life O. me 1 couldn't remember who it
was"
By this time Mr.. Lawrence was trem-
bling violently and striving to pene-
trate the boys dirt-begrimed face in
search of familiar features; and now,
suddenly, the truth came to him in a
mighty wave hat 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 sur 1 am right before I
speak to my wife," he thought; "disap-
pointment might kill her"
He cSrefully washed the CRIME from
Scroggs' countenance, brushed back his
curly hair, and then, holding the rosy
face firmly between his two hands, he
gazed upon it earnestly. studying every
line of the boys expressive features.
There was a 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, AID was at first at a loss how
to begin; but after a moments thought
he said:
"'Twere all on account D that name
o Trotty. When 1 lived in this house."
he continued. his eyes rowing familiar.
y around the room, you used to give
ne a cane to ride on-a cane with a
birds head on the erd."
Yes; an eagles head!" interrupted
Mr.. Lawrence, eagerly.
We'll, 1 rode that care all over the
house, upstairs an down, an so you
the lady-was that my mammal
you an she used to call LIE Trotty.
o. course, you know, 1 can't member
everything, for 1 must "a been q pretty
small kid then; but when l heard that
bill read it seemed to bring back lots
things as I'd forgot all about. /
member n day a man comm round
with a music organ, an l fnllered him,
ridin' on my cane an not noticin' where
l was goin'. BY n by l got tired, an it
was gettin' dark, an 1 cried for my
mamma. An then the grinder give
me a ride or his organ, an took me
home with him.
Next day he promised to take me
but he didn't do it. He took off
my dress an put some pants on me,
which he said was more proper for a
an l thought SO too. An then
went way out into the country an
walked a good many days, md he allus
said he was tryin' to find my home.
One day we come to a town where
here was a blind man named Scroggs,
IN the grinder sold the cane with the
head to the blind man. 1 cried
he took the cane away, an after
We had gone up the road a ways 1
:urned IN ran back to the town. l
expected the grinder would chase me,
he didn't, an when l got to the
own l found the blind nan a walkin'
With my can He wouldn't give it up,
,ut he said if 1 would come with him
m lead him back to the city he'd find
ny folks for me again. So / went with
lin, an he was pretty good to me, was
croggs. An he said l got more pen
lies for him than he Y got before
n that I'd better stay with him an
the world.
We'll, after awhile we come back tc
he city, an we've lived here ever since.
s'pose if Scroggs hadn't been blind
led "a read your bills an give me up,
cause he liked money pretty we'll; but
O. US knew as anybody was
.untin' for Inc. Bout a year ago
croggs died, an l went to work for
lick Rogers. postin' bills. Everybody
allied me Scroggs an thought 1 be-
,nged to the blind man, but 1 allus
as my name was Trotty,
n I've got the cane, sir, over to Dick
place"
Mr.. Lawrence listened attentively to
his story, which Trotty told very sim
ly and earnestly. When I was ended
e took the boy tenderly in his arms.
Thank God, my darling" he said.
chat we have found you at last"
a few minutes later, when Trotty
ad shyly released himself from the
mbrace of his sobbing but delighted
who had recognized Ter boy at
first glance, he remarked, casually:
Il s'pose there's no use postin' the
,st O. them bills?" +;
No." said the father, with n smile, A.,
the bills have fulfilled their mission" D.,
But the $4,000 reward?" asked the ,
oy, ~anxiously.
why, really, Trotty," replied the hap ,
Y father, a. he bent down and kissed =
lie bright face, 81 believe you've earned 6
reward YOURSELF" :
What n n Woman. I
1t pleases her to call her a sensibl. T