Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-07-04
IN BOYS ATTIRE.
Adventures in Chicago of "a Fifteen-Year-
Old Maiden.
[Chicago Trioune.I

[Chicago Triouno.I
The romantic three-year masquerade. in
male attire OF girl of fifteen has just
como Z light here. In the summer of 1852
Sylvia Hammond. the daughter of we'll
to-do farmer near Springfield, Ohio, after
having been corrected by her mother for
some fault, bought a suit of boys cloth
ing, dOnned il ami ran away from home.
At Marion, Ohio, she adopted the name of
Sidney Hammond, aud hired out to keep
tally at railroad gravel pit. Eight
months later she went to Canton and OBJ
tanned IA situation on dairy farm. With
in a short time she was promoted 10 driver
of IA supply wagon. She was also admit
ted 10 the house as one of tn" family. A
dau Inter OF tue house became attached TO
her. aud. for fear that the attachment
would res lit n detection. "Sidney" quit
to the place and cam to Chicago. She
brought lsttsrs of recommendation from
the pastor OF ths church aud Superintend-
ent of he SunI ~ school, VIII ch shs had
regularly attended - the Young Mems
Christian ASSOCIATE IN here. Through TIA .ir
influence a situation in the West Side
street car barns was procured. For five
mon hs sle has watered horses and led
them back and forth between the cars and
ths barn. During the last few weeks Sup
erintendent LAX gave her place in the
CO npanv's paint shops, furnished her
with clothing, and rendered her other
help.
Recently the suspicious of several per-
sous were excited. The boy was often
seen crying, and other little incidents ex-
cited comment among the other painters.
1t was often remarked tn at ''when Ham,
mond had his coat off and his trousers in
bis boots he ooked like a woman" All
this would have led u no startlin discov-
cry had not the dairyman's daughter in
Ohio, who had learned Sidney's address,
begun writing to him. Thinking to ettle
this troublesome feature of her adventure,
the pretended lad rote her that he was
married, and about the same time changed
her boarding house. He left instructions
10 have his mail sent TO the new
boarding place, but soon after
ward, when letter came 60 the old place.
it was not sent to Sidney, but was given
10 Foreman Franklin of the paint shop
where the lad was at work The boy
heard that the foreman hal letter for
him and asked for it. Franklin, who had
heard the talk about the boy, but did
not think that there was anything in it,
said jokingly that he had a letter for Mrs
Hammond. and. showing Sidney the en-
velope. asked if il was for ''hm." His
evident embarrassment and confusion set
Mr.. Franklin to thinking. snd before he
had reached any conclusion the lad made
a ompla int that twenty do'iqrs had been
stolen fr ON hss room just after pay day.
The complaint was taken to the police,
and N looking up the case they learned Of
the talk about the new apprentice. The
letter fro m Ohio was opened and found TO
b a pathetic con -,ratulation and hope
that Mr.. and Mrs Hammond would be
happy.
Saturday was Sidney's last day in the
West Side car-shops. The police had in
terviewed a young man who had roomed
with him for a few weeks. and he told a
strange story. During all that time the
suspected lad had teen the last to retire
and always extinguished the light before
retiring The two occupied separate
couches. and the second lad was ready 70
swear that in al that time he never once
swoSe up in the morning without finding
Hammond up and dressed and ready to
leave the room. This. taken with the
other rumors, led the police 70 take charge
OF the boy. and since Sunday night the
peouls abo1t the boarlinE-house have
seen nothing of him. Tie story as given
above Was told the police y Miss Ham
mond herself. Il i SAID that the girl ia
not under srrest. but that the police have
-
municsted with hei parents ia Ohio. and
that she viii certainly return 20 them.
Every one who knew her A. IS 'duey
Eammond.r AMI several ~ho have ts>n
on quite intimate terms with her. are loud
IN taafr rra - ~ ths airl boy, clothes.
Il IA 49, "A thaf sha is a per4on q great
na-ursl str 9Th of character. snd tnas
sha hss rosse.l thro1 Fl her sfrsnEs sds
. ~frra. VI 81 aa<n 3 - r4~r--+.on