Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-06-03
Under False Colors.

They were making railroad from Ger
tain city to-no matter where. Suffice il
that 1t was somewhere in that boundlesS
"Out West, !" and it ran through wild,
Endian-infested country, where fever and
ague, and raids from the savages were un,
comfortably familiar evils. Among the
small army of employees was John Marshall,
civil engineer, in charge of section il
one of the widest portions of the line. But
he was young, fresh from college, and
hard work and terrors had no dangers foI
him.
John Marshall sat one day in the rude log
hut which constituted his "office." examin-
ing plans, making out acquisitions, ETC.,
when a shadow across his paper caused him
to look up. In the doorway stood boyish
fellow of apparently eighteen or twenty
with smooth face, fresh complexion, curly
hair, and somewhat effieminate in form and
| figure. In response to Marshalps inquiring
look, he said: II have called upon you, sir,
hoping to get work.
''Well, we are full just now in the sec
ton, was the discouraging reply. ''W hat
can you do?"
81 can write, keep accounts, or do some
thing of that kind better than anything
| that"
81 see. You haven't been used to very
hard work, as your hands show"
mo, sir; but if you will only try me, |
am sure you will find me willing. l am
very anxious to get work.
''But what sent you to this outlandish
place to find it 2"
The young man colored, but made no
reply.
"Well, continued Marshall, ''of course
that's your own affair, not mine. | can't
offer you anything in the way of work, be-
cause you don't seem qualified for severe
manual labor. l want clerk-an assistant
bad enough; but the company wouldn't
pay you if l should engage you"
THAT doesn't matter" said the young
applicant. ''If you could only give me
board andlodging for few months would
gladly stay"
Every well. On those terms l engage
you. But what is your name?"
Frank Burroughs, sir,."
SO Frank was engaged to assist John
Marshall. and he soon proved himself a
valuable aid, Educated, quick, and ready.
he soon made himself indispensable In vari-
Gus ways.
Months passed, and that portion of the
railroad drew near completion. In the
meantime Frank and John had become fast
friends They were inseparable compan-
ions, anda deeper than ordinary liking
seemed to have sprung up between them.
Frank, said John Marshall one day,
''our section will be completed this week,
and then our employment here will be at
an end. What do you propose doing"
81 don't know" and the youth hung his
head sorrowfully.
"As for me-" continued John, 81 am go
ing home for a months vacation; and
should be more than pleased to have you 60
with me. In fact must insist upon it, for
in spite of your almost girlish ways-l
should be lost without your society"
Frank remained silent, seemingly oppress-
! ed with a sorrow of some kind
"You don't seem in good spirits to-day,
said John, rallyingly.
''No; am very sad indeed. "
"WiI you tell me why2'
''It would involve long story, and a
confession; one that requires sacrifice OF
self respect TO make"
''But we are friends"
Eyes, and | feel that you have right to
know So listen with all the patience you
can. Away down In one of the lonely val
| leys that dot our beautiful New Y ork State,
situated near the head-waters of the Mo
hawk, there lived few years ago a man
named Lamport, with a family consisting
of wife and one child, girl. Mr.. Lam
port had once been prominent merchant OF
| New York; but meeting with heavy losses
in his business through wild speculations,
he had sold out, and with the remnant OF
his fortune had settled in the valley have
| Just mentioned. Here he resolved to begin
the world anew. Possessed of wife who
sympathized with him in all his trials, he
never despaired as many might have done.
"But one child had blessed their union,
little Fanny, at this time about eleven
years of age. In her, all the parents love
was centered. Mr.. Lamport had been al
his new vocation about three years, and
was in fair way to retrieve the losses he
had met with in his mercantile career.
1.-THE little valley was but few miles
in length, and but little more than a mile
in width, surrounded on all sides by high
mountains, thickly wooded. But few Other
families had their residences in the valley.
The scarcity of neighbors, however, did moi
cause Mrs. .Lamport to have any vain long
ings for the society in which she had beer
reared. Her nature was not of an ambi
tious turn. While her family possessed
health, and the wolf was kept from th'
door, she would never complain, bu
would always be a loving and fitting help
mate to her husband, Mr.. Lamport wa
fully conscious of the treasure he pos
sessed in his wife and they were happy in
deed.
"Thus things went well for time; ant
then calamity came. Both Mr.. and Mrs
Lamport suddenly died, leaving Fam.
alone, and almost penniless. Paralyze,
with grief the poor girl knew not what t.
do. The neighbors kindly came forward
to assist her, and hundred dollars in he
pocket, she went to relative in New Yorl
"a widow lady named PleSsley. She wa
not handsome woman; she was not par
tieularly rich; she was certainly owe
th;r+v Those who merely saw her won