Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-06-06
Foolish Frank.

Salamander City was a mining camp
nesting in little valley in Southern
New Mexico. This camp, like the
majority of the camps Of the kind,
was made up of men of all classes,
kinds and nationalities. There were
good men, bad men, and men of in
different character in the camp, but
If there were any difference the bad
men predominated. So it will be seen
that the camp would not be easily sur
prised, no difference how unique the
specimen of humanity might be who
dropped in upon them.
But one day newcomer put in an
appearance whose like the citizens of
Saiamander City had never seen be-
fore. He had every appearance of an
idiot, being wildeyed, long haired
and crazy-looking. He had a pecu-
liar way of lodging every once in a
while, Just as if he thO't some one
were striking at him. He was almost
starved when he appeared in the
camp, and it took several days to get
hoilSC4 elREOoOO11 OIAO A4AA11OAO S1F
ing him only such scraps as they did
not want themselves. When asked
his name he answered Frank" but
to all others questions he returned no
answer, and the miners quickly placed
the word "foolish'' before his name,
and as ''Foolish Frank he was known.
He took up his abode in an empty
cabin and there he lived, the citizens
OF the camp coming presently to look
upon him as permanent fixture.
But while the citizens looked upon
Foolish Frank as simple, harmless
fellow as whole, there was at least
one among them who thought differ
ently.-This was Mark Billings, big,
burly, strengthening fellow, half mi
ner, half gambler, who gave it as his
belief that Foolish Frank was not
what he seemed.
FEYou can't fool me!'' he declared,
with an air of conviction; 'Ethat fell
low isn't what he seems. Thar's some
thing wrong with him, and I'll bet
my hat on it.''
"Yes-he's foolish laughed mi
ner
maybe he is, and maybe he isn't"
sand Billings, doggedly; ''just you fell
lows wait and see if something don't
happen around here before lOng!'
''We'n wait,'' said the miners, and
nothing more was thought of the mat
ter until about week later, when the
camp was thrown into excitement by
a 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
Who to the thief, should they succeed
IN laying hands upon him! 1t was
now that Mark Billings words of sus-
picion regarding Foolish Frank were
remembered, and many were the dark |
looks of suspicion regarding Foolish |
Frank were remembered, and many
were the dark looks bent upon the |
poor fellow as he went stumbling
about among the cabins of the miners
begging for something to eat.-The
majority laughed at the idea of his
having anything to do with the rob-
berry, however he was not molested.
Although a diligent search was
Ipade the thief or thieves were not
apprehended, and the owners of the
Goid-oug had to stand the loss of the
DUST as best they could.
4 week passed and another robbery
occurred just as mysteriously, just as
inexplicable as the other. The thief
was not found, nor as much as a clue
10 mis- identity.
That is, it was mystery to all save
Mark Billings. He knew who the rob-
Der was.
Its that Foolish Frank, [ tell We,
feI.ows!'' 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 after it's everlasting
Is too late-you'H wake up to the fact
that you've kept viper alive, only
to have him rob yei;'
The miners were unwilling to take
this view of the case, however, until
a week later, when another robbery
occurring, they rose up in arms.
@Mebbe It's that air blamed Foolish