Arizona republican., 1891-10-31
FOOLISH FRANK.
Billings Prediction Proves Correct
 in an Unpleasant Way.

Salamander City was mining camp nestling in a little valley in southern New Mexico. This camp, like the ma jority of camps of the kind, was made up of men of all classes, kinds and na- tionalities. There were good men, bad men and men of indifferent character in the camp, but if there was any diff ference the bad men predominated So it will be seen that the camp would not be easily surprised no difference how odd, how unique the specimen of hu- manity might be who dropped in upon them.
 But one day newcomer put in an appearance whose like the citizens of Salamander City had never seen be- fore. He had every appearance of an idiot, being wild eyed, long haired and crazy looking. He had a peculiar way of lodging every once in awhile, just as it he thought some one were strik- tug at him. He was almost starved when he appeared in the camp, and it took several days to get his hunger ap- pcased, the miners giving him only such scraps as they did not want them selves. When asked his name he an swcrcd Frank" but to all other ques- t.oning he returned no answer, and the miners quickly placed the word 'fool- iSh' before his name, and as Foolish F'ranli" he was known.
 He took up his abode in an empty cabin, and here he lived. the citizens of the camp coming presently to look h E,.t,,
 liut while the citizens looked upon Foolish Frank as a simple, harmless fellow as a whole, there was at least one among them who thought differently This was Mark Billings, big, burly, savage-loolsing fellow, half miner, half gambler, who gave it as his belief that Foolish Frank was not what he seemed.
 You can't fool mel" he declared, with an air of conviction; that fellow isn't what he seems. Thar something wrong with him, and I'll bet my hat on it,
 "Yes-he's foolish" laughed miner.
 "Maybe he is, and maybe he isn't" said Billings, doggedly; just you fel. lows wait and see if somethin' don't happen around here before longI'
 "Wen wait" said the miners, and nothing more was thoughS of the mat ter until about week later, when the camp was thrown into state of ex- citcment by robbery. The partners of the Gold-bug mine had been robbed of about three hundred dollars worth of dust, savings of the past two months
 The miners were wild with rage. Woe to the thief, should they succeed in laying hands upon him! It was now that Mark Billings words of suspicion regarding Foolish Frank were remem- bercd, and many were the dark looks bent upon the poor fellow as he went shambling about among the cabins of the miners begging for something to cut The majority laughed at the idea of his having had anything to do with the robbery, however, and he was not molested.
 Although diligent search was made the thief or thieves were not appre- hended, and the owners of the Gold Bug had to stand the loss of the dust IS best they could.
 A week passed and another robbery ~~S''NN; Juot uo III yoItIlOuSIy, JuSt us inexplicable as the other The thief was not found, nor so much as a clew to his identity.
 That is, it was a mystery to all save Mark Billings He knew who was the robber.
 "lts that Foolish Frank, I tell ye, fellows!" he said. "When it's too late you'll find I've been giving it to you straight. He'll steal all the dust in the camp and then skip out, and after he's gone-aftcr it's evcrlastiugly too late you'll wake up to the fact that you've | kept viper alive, only to have him rob yc!'
 The miners were unwilling to take this view of the case, however, until a week later, when, another robbery oc. curing, they rose up in arms.
 "Mebbe 'tis thet air blamed Foolish Frank. arter all" cried one miner. angrily.
 "l tell ye, fellow citizens, ct air time we war lookin' inter this hyar matter. Ef it is Foolish Frank we must find ct out, and l reckon he won't do it no lnore; an eff it ain't we wanter know 1t, SOS we kin look someybar also k |