A boy is missing.

Alfred Shaw, twelve years old, a foundling.
Disappeared from Kingston, 1875.

Be told what becomes of him.

His story

The notice no one ever posted for him.

MISSING:

ALFRED SHAW

A Boy of Twelve Years

Last seen in the vicinity of King Street East, in the Ward of Sydenham, on or about the twelfth day of this month.

Light brown hair, straight and untidy, worn long over the brow. A fair, open face. Small of stature for his age. Grey jacket, much mended. Boots wanting repair.

A ward of the Protestant Orphans’ Home, Union Street, placed out for errands in this ward two years since. He has not returned to the Home. He has not been signed out of its register. No person has reported him gone.

Any intelligence of this boy

is earnestly desired.

Apply to the Constable on duty.

CITY HALL, KINGSTON

The notice is invented.
Alfred is not.

A name, ALFRED, incised into weathered limestone, raked by low light.

The inscription · King Street East, Kingston

His name survives in one place — cut into the limestone of a house on King Street East, by no hand anyone can name.

“Stone keeps
what flesh forgets.”

A Novella of Victorian KingstonAutumn, 2026

Be told what becomes of him.