Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-07-30
Selected Miseellanp.
UNDER FALSE COL0RS.

They were making - railroad from GER
tain city to--no matter where. Suffice it
that il was somewhere in that boundcss
"Out West" and it ran through a wild,
lndian-iniested country, where fever and
ague, and raids from the savages were UNI
comfortably familiar evils. Among the small
army of employees was John NJ rshal, u civil
engineer, in charge Of sectionin one Of the
widest portions Of the line But he was
young, fresh from college, and hard work
and terrors had no dangers for him.
John Marshall sat one day in the rude log
hut which constituted his "ofllce," cxamin-
ing plans, making out acquisitions, etc, when
shadow across his paper caused him to look
up. In the doorway stood a boyish fellow OF
apparently eighteen or twenty with smooth
face, fresh complexion, curly hair, and some
what elFeminate in form and figure. In re-
spouse to Marshall's inquiring look, he said !:
81 have called upon you, sir, hoping to get
work"
"Well, we are full just now in the section"
was the discouraging reply. "What can
you dor
81 can write, keep accounts, do something
of that kind better than anything that"
81 see You haven't been used TO very
hard work, as your hands show"
"No, sir; but if you will only try me,
am sure you will find me willing. | am
very anxious to get work"
"But what sent you to this outlandish
place to find ity''
The young man coored, but made no re-
ply.
"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 want u cerk-an assistant
bad enough; but the company wouldn't
pay you if should engage you"
"That doesn't NATTER" said the young APP
plcant. "If you could only give me board
and lodging for n few months would gladly
stay"
every well On these terms engage you.
But what IL your namcF"
Crank Burroughs, sir"
So Frank was engaged TO assist John Mar
SHALL and he soon proved himself valu-
able aid. Educated, quick and ready, he
soon made himself indispensable in various
ways.
"Months passed, and that portion of the
railroad drew near completion. In the mean
time Frank and John had become fast friends.
They were inseparable companions, and a
deeper than ordinary liking seemed TO have
sprung mp between them.
Drank" 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 doingf"
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 go
with me. In fact ] must insist upon II, for
in spite Of your almost grlish ways-l
should be lost without your society,"
Frank remained silent, seemingly Cypress
ed with a sorrow Of some kind
"You don't seem in good spirits to-day"
said John, rallyingly.
"No; am very sad indeed"
"Wil you tell me whyT
at would involve long story, and n con
lcssion one that requires a sacrifice Of self
respect to make
"But we are friends"
ayes, and feel that you have a right ~
know So listen with all the patience you
can. Away down in one Of the lonely val
legs that dot our beautiful New York State,
situated near the head-waters of the Mo-
hawk, there lived few years ago man
named Lamport, with a family consisting
of wife and one child, girl. Mr.. Lamport
had once been prominent merchant Of
New York but meeting with heavy losses
in his business through wild speculations,
he had sold out, aud with the remnant Of
bis fortune had settled In the valley | have
lust mentioned. Here he resolved ~ begin
the world anew. Possessed Of a wife who
sympathized with him In all his trials, he
never despaired rs 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
centefed. Mr.. Lamport had been at his new
vocation about three years, and was in a fair
way 10 retrieve the losses he had met with
{ In bis mercantile career.
"lhc little valley was hut few miles in
| length, and but little more than a mile Ia
width, surrounded On all sides by high noun