The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-07-02
MIR. DICK ROGERS,
CITY BILL POSTER.

gentleman step out upon the slueWdlH'
followed by a servant bearing in his
arms huge package. This the serv-
ant placed upon the table, and re-
turned to the carriage.
II have come once more to employ
your services, you see, Mr.. Rogers
said the caller, in a quiet, dignified
voice.
Just so,'' responded the bill poster,
with a nod. 80 another year is up,
eh? Mercy me! how time flies. I'm
gettin' to gauge time by your visits,
Mr.. Lawrence; you're as reg'lar as
clockwork. Let me see-this is the
sixth year, amt it?"
Eyes, this is the sixth year. HOW
many times more I shall be obliged to
come to you God only knows. ] think
| should have already abandoned the
attempt were it not for my poor wife's
sake"
His voice trembled little and he
turned rather appealing and depreca-
tory glance upon the unmoved face OF
Mr.. Rogers.
Never say die, sir" remarked the
bill poster, dheerfully. Il 'spose you'd
like em out right away?"
IF you please"
Got boy at liberty right now." He
walked to rear door, opened it partly
and shouted:
"Scroggs!"
"Yep!" answered clear voice.
Bag, bucket and brush!" roared Mr..
Rogers.
Right ye are!" came the reply, SEEM
ingly from distant apartment.
Mr.. Rogers closed the door and re-
turned to his chair. ..
"Scroggs'll do the job beautiful" he
remarked.
"Are you sure he's relia'ble?' ASKED
MIR. Lawrence, anxiously. II am almost
afraid to trust this to mere boy"
That's Scroggs' strong point-he's
reliable. Hain't been with me quite a
year. but I'd trust him anywheres.
Never neglects likely place, an never
ocmes back till the last sheet is posted.
That kid'll make a great man one o
these days. l shall always give him
your job after this, for l 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 boy of
about ten years entered. He wore a
bill posters white jacket and trousers,
very much spotted and soiled, small
cap was set far back upon his curly
head, and in his hand he bore canvas
bag and a fiat paste-bucket with a
brush sticking out of the side.
Here y are, Dick" he announced.
Prompt as biscuit, amt hep asked
Mr.. Rogers. casting an admiring look
at 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 Soroggs, as he
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 look of panied surprise.
"D'ye 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 OF
nv tombstone: Here lies Scroggs, who
never missed stick!' AM l won't
neglec your work, 'oaEse why? Cause
it would spile tlse motter on the tomb
stone. Them air bills'll 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 ye, mol" replied Mr.. Rogers
"Scfoggs likes pastin'. He stops SO
often. you see. las don't mind the weight
1t were a lucky day for me when old
Scroggs, the blind man, died, an got
that boy I'd noticed him leadin' that
old man around as keerful as kitten
an | says to myself, a kid as'll take
that pains with his old dad has good
stuff in him-an' l were right. He's
shar2er'n chain lightnin' too"
Mr.. Lawrence settled his bill and re
entered bis carriage. The bill poster
relighted his cigar and watched th}
equipage as it rolled away.
That ducks .on a regular wild goose
chase" he reflected, but that's no bust
ness o mine. expect he'll be reg'lal
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-loolking bills, he no
tieed, with great black letters at thu
top AMI considerable descriptive mat
ter at the bottom, Scroggs could no
read: he merely knew when the letters
were right side up, but that was quit,
enough for his purpose. He was quicl
TO see conspicuous position where +;
bill could be noticed by the genera