Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-06-10
MR.. DICK ROGERS,
CITY BILL POSTER.

"Mr. Dick Rogers" was himself seat
ed behind the window, big cigar in
his mouth, his feet resting upon the
confused mass of papers which Uttered
his desk, and mis- eyes fixed intently
upon his morning newspaper.
From amid the stream of passing We
hicles handsome carriage drew up
before the door. Mr.. Rogers looked over
the top of his paper and watched a
gentleman step out upon the sidewalk,
followed by a servant bearing in his
arms huge package. This the serv-
ant placed upon the table, and rs-
turned to the carriage.
II have come once more to employ
your services, you see, Mr.. Rogers,
said the caller, in a quiet, dignificd
voice.
Just So" responded the bill poster.
with d nod. $50 another year is up,
eh? Mercy me! how time flies. I'm
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
cc-ae to you Gid only knows. think
I should have already abandoned the
attempt were it not for my poor wife's
sake"
His voice trembled 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. 81 'spose you'd
like 'em out right away?"
eff you please"
"Got boy at liberty right now" He
walked to rear door, opened it partly
and shouted:
"Scroggs!"
"Yep!" answered a clear voice.
bag, bucket and brush!" roared Mr..
Rogers.
Fright We are!" came the reply, seem
ingly from a distant apartment.
Mr.. Rogers closed the door and re-
turned to his chair.
"Scroggsll 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
year, but I'd trust him anywheres.
Never neglects likely place, an never
Genes 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 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
bill posters white jacket and trousers,
very much spotted and soiled, small
cap was set far back upon his curly
bag and a fiat paste-bucket with a
brush sticking out of the side.
"Here y are, Dick" he announced.
"Prompt as a biscuit, amt he ?" asked
Mr.. Rogers, casting an admiring look
al his small assistant. 'Now, Scroggs,
this gentleman is very particular about
ais 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 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 OH
my tombstone: Here lies Scroggs. who
never missed a stick!' An | won't
neglec' your work, cause why? Cause
1t would Spite the 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 We, mol" replied Mr.. Rogers.
~Scroggs likes pastin'. He stops so
often, you see, he don't mind the weight.
IL were a lucky day for me when old
Scroggs, the blind man, died, an goI
that boy. I'd noticed him leadin' thar
old man around as keerful as kitten.
an l says to myself, kid ASH take
that pains with his old dad has good
stuff in him--an' / 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 tn
equipage as it rolled away.
THAT ducks on regular wild goos'
chase" he reflected, "but that's no bust
ness o. mine. expect he'll be reg'la
customer for years to come"
Meanwhiie Scroggs pursued his wa,
up one street and down another, leav
ing trail Of bills wherever he went