Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-03
MISTAKEN IDEKTTTY.

Desperate Defense of an Aeeused and |
Almost entity Husbaad. ~
Certain law booke, as we'll ~ abe every.
day history Of man, from the time of Adam |
down to the present interesting period are |
fall of curiouA instances !, of mistaken per
sonal Identity. The remarkable mistake
of that sOrtso feelipgly described by the
imam in the SOM" who was dragged into
court and violently pulled around b,s an
enrsged wife, simply because he happened
10 look IKE the individual who really de-
served such treatment, ia by no means the
only instance of The kind on record. The
danger Of looking like other men ia sowell
established BY wellknown occurrences of
the distant and remote past, as 70 demand
every possible effort on the part Of men to
look more ike themselves, and less like
their reighbors. Many men ara therefore
careful that they shall not look a great
deal like others, and are consequently par.
ticular that differences shall exist in respect
TO clothing or general personal appearance.
The fact, however, that men do sometimes
bear striking resemblance to each other
has lately afforded very clever gentle
man a convenient defense against the
charge made by his better-half of un.
pardonable excuses and irregularities
specially forbidden by every well regulated
domestic code. Recent occurrences had
given her reason for serious misgiyings as
to the propristy of his conduct. Now and
then his spirits we're either too much ele
waited or too much depressed-he wal
either too communicative or too reticent
and there were other unmistakable indica.
tons Of the suspected lack of propriety
The suspicious of the good and watchfu
lady were fully aroused. The otheI night
and not his lodge night, either-he wen
home at an unusually late hour, and no
wishing TO disturb the quiet slumbers of hi
wife, the considerable husband eDdea voreG
to make as little noise as possible in, eff
feeling arrangements to retire. But thin
like every other suoh1 effort tried b.
considerable but beIated lords, proved !
failure. Tables and chairs were in hi
way and despite all the caution used, he rar
against them with laundering effect. Ont
chair in particular, which the gentleman
thinks was fixed for the occasion, tumbleC
over with crash like the report of six
FOUNDER, and the hope of quiet retirement
had to be abandoned. The awakened wife
an1iously inquired the time OF night ant
was informed by the now disconnected
partner of her joys and SORROWS that il wa
Just about twelve. He also added that h
tried to get in sooner, but political CONVEX
sation with some gentlemen on the side
walk prevented. This was said in as gen
tie tones as possible, and the gentleman
was about to make some further soothing
remark when all the clocks in town
as if in conspiracy against his domesti,
peace, struck two. Here was a fx Will
the beat intentions he had puFposely mis-
represented facLs, and was effectuall,
caught in his own trap. He feigned igno
rance as to the rapid flight of time, but
was no go. The same plea had failed OIL
previous occasions, and would not begil
to do now. The indignant wife charge
him with having imbibed too freely at
neighboriDg saloon, saying that sh
had seen him and his friends goinI
in to "see the man." The accusation
was stoutly denied, but repeated wit
emphasis. az deny it again." madam,
said the husband. al repeat it again,
said the wife, saw you distinctly anC
cannot be mistaken. 1t was hardly you
ghost, reckon" Thus strongly cornered
CLEAN Of hope suddenly occurred to tn
accused. Il was his only chance of es
cape and be greedily grasped the hspp.
idea in the remark, "no, my dear, it Wa
neither ne nor my ghost, butt ,Oqs til
tellou that looks like me-" This was a settler
No other word was necessary, and nothing
else was said.