The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-17

UNDER FALSE COLORS.

less "Out West," and it ran through a
wild, Indian-infested country, where
fever, and ague, and raids from the saw
ages were uncomfortably familiar evils
Among the small army of employees was
John Marshall, a civil engineer, in
charge of section in 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
fog hut which constituted his "office,"
examining plans, making out requisi-
tions, etc., when a shadow across his
paper caused him to look up. In the
doorway stooda boyish fellow of apparent
ly eighteen or twenty, with smooth face,
fresh complexion, curly hair, and some
what effeminate in form and figure. In
response to Marshalrs inquiring look, he
said: ri have called upon you, sir, hop
ing to get work"
"Well, we are full Just now in the Sec
tion,s was the discouraging reply.
"What can you do?"
~ can write, keep accounts, or do
something Of that kind better than any
thing else; but l will do anything
that"
II 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. l
am very anxious to get work."
"But what sent you to this outlandish
place to find itY
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, because you don't seem qualified
for severe manual labor. I want a
clerk-an assistant-bad enough; but
the company wouldn't pay you if
should engage you."
"That doesn't matter" said the young
applicant. "If you could only give me
board and lodging for few months
would gladly stay"
"Very, well. On those terms engage
you. But what is your nameW
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 almost in
dispensible in various ways.
Months passed. and that portion of the
railroad drew near completion. In the
meantime Frank and John had become
fast friends Thev were inseparable COM
panions, and deeper than ordinary lik-
ing 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, 'I am
gOing home for months vacation; and
should be more than pleased to have
you go with me. In fact l insist upon
it, form spite of your almost girlish
ways-I should be lost without your So
ciety"
Frank remained silent, seemingly op-
pressed with sorrow of some kind.
"You don't seem in good spirits to.
day." said John, rallyingly.
"No; am very sad, indeed"
evil you tell me whyw
"It would involve long story, and {
confession; one that requires a sacrifice
of self respect to make"
"But we are friends"
eyes; and I feel that you have righ
to know. So listen with all the patience
you can. Away down in one of the
lonely valleys that dot our beautiful New
York State, situated near the head-water
of the Mohawk, there lived few year
ago man named Lamport, with fam
ily consisting of wife and one child, {
girl. Mr.. Lamport had once been {
prominent merchant in New York; bu
meeting with heavy losses in his business
through wild speculations, he had solo
out, and with the remnant of his fortune
had settled in the valley l have jus
mentioned. Here he resolved to begil
the world anew. Possessed Of a wifi
who sympathized with him IN all hi
trials, he never despaired, as many nigh
have done.
"But one child had blessed their union
little Fanny, at this time about clever
years of age. In her, all the parents
love was centered. Mr.. Lamport ha,
been at his new vocation about thre
years, and was in fair way to retriev
the losses he had met with in his mer
camille career.
"The little valley was but few mile
In length, and but little more than hal
mile in width, surrounded ON all side
by high mountains, thickly wooded. Blu
few other families had their residence il
the valley. The scarcity Of neighbors
however, did not cause Mrs. Lamport t.
have any vain longings for the society il
which she had been reared. Her natur
was not Of an ambitious turn. Will
her family possessed health, and the vol
was kept from the door, she would neve
complain, but would always be lovin
and fitting helpmate to her HUSBAND
Mr.. Lamport was fully conscious of th
treasure he possessed in his wife, an
they were happy indeed.
"Thus things went we'll for a time
- m ~ NE