The weekly standard., 1869-09-15
SELECTED STORIES.
The Twin Sisters.


The Twin Sisters.
"Well, said Ned Arlington, I" for my part
l have never loved but one woman, and she
is now my better half"
81 tell you," replied fellow stage coacher,
"you have had an easy courtship. was
compelled to love two ladies'"
1.-TWO ladies?"
'Yes, sir, two ladies'"
"But YOU did not love them both alike2"
0Now, stranger, there was just the trouble.
1 was thinking of this precise difficulty
when remarked that you had an easy court
ship"
'tYou puzzle me-" exclaimed Ned. "Sup-
pose you relieve our minds by rehearsal"
1T will afford me pleasure and you enter
tainment," rejoined the handsome and social
fellow-trayeler
Here we leaned forward, intent on learning
how man was compelled to love two ladies
with the same degree Of tervor.
my friends" said he, "if ever you visit
New Haven, Connecticut, you will hear these
expressions: AS much Ike as the Grover
giris,' or this: Youcan no more distinguish
them than you can tell Sue from Hannah
Grover l say, ladies and gentlemen, when
Il New Englander is discussing q point of
simiItude, he is sure to refer to these Grover
girls"
Ihad not been in the Elm City six weeks,
before | heard these comparisons.
Iwent there intending to enter business
firm. On my arrival I stopped at the Ton
tine. At this hotel two gentlemen were ar
guing point of law, and it was then 1 first
heard this language. One speaker was prov
ing that two expressions meant but the same
thing, and paralleled the two expressions
with the notorious twins.
Now there is one thing I have in common
with women-that is curiosity. I own it,
and l will confess that l was on nettles.
Never could l be appeased until I had
view of these females.
"Tell me-" said l to the book-keeper, ARE
these Grover girls so very much aliken
Are they? ?r said he, in surprise. We'll,
will tel you, Mr.. Miller, if you can distin-
guish them after weeks acquaintance l
will pay your bill at this house for the bal
ance Of your residence"
How can I see them?"
"rll tell you. Observe that bright look
ing gentleman with the white hat. That is
Mr.. Potter, one of our rising lawyers. He
is intimate with the sisters Obtain an in
PRODUCTION to him and he will put you
through"
Are these ladies in good standingY"
"Oh among our first people"
Can Mr.. Potter distinguish them2n
Never, sir, never, and he looks with the
eye of detective"
How long has he known them
Three or four years to my certain knowl-
edge. 1t may be longer"
This determined me. / soon established
myself with the lawyer by retaining him in
an important case. found him more than
willing to afford an Introduction, as he was
anxious to see the fix their identity never
failed to produce on stranger. will not
forget that first interview. Two exuuisitely
beautiful ladies of twenty entered the room.
beheld the duplicates They dressed alike
to ribbon and a ring. Their voices and
their countenance gave no clue. Then their
motions left you none the wiser.
Said Potter, '.Now take good luck. for 7 |
wish to see If you will be able to identify
themn
"Mr: Potter" said I, "you will embarrass
the ladies'"
mot at all" said one
"We are used to it." said the other. at
is the great amusement afforded by our re-
semblancen
Here both.. Spoke, but on honor, it sound
ed like one voice.
Ladies" said I, pardon me; know YOU
are not horses, but allow me to look at your
teeth
1 desired this, deeming there would be
found some little speck, some indentation or
1rregularity that would serve as an index.
They exhibited their pearly rows; but after
minute investigation | was no better in
formed. I examined their finger nails, then
their hands, still hadno point of distinction.
and l gave it up that Sue and Hannah might |
forever change places without fear of detec-
ton on my part
The ridiculous blunders of admirers were
frequent. Mantuamakers shoemakers, and |
trades-people in general, were continually
presenting Sue an account made by Hannah,
or telling Hannah some lingo intended only
for the ears of Sue.
The beauty of the ladies impressed me.
They were OF my style. An acquaintance
OF two months demonstrated their SUPERIOR
ity in all respects In brief, found myself
2 |
When tender ideas arose, found it lust
as natural to one as to the other. Yes.
solemnly aver was in loye-I had the con-
nubial article
frequently took them out, yet never knew
whom had If my lady would quote Sue,
thought it clear had Hannah. or if Han
nah was mentioned believed was beauine
sue. Indeed, it was a mere matter of faith.
There was no evidence, for one palmed her
sen on on me as the other. This was a chron-
&c dodge played on their various admirers
70 suit convenience and insure rest. As far
rs tnese gallants were concerned, it was i'm
material, although one might be called for
'y name, the other would do just as well, no I
me being able to detect the difference.
loften lmplored them to contra-distinguish /
themselves by some article of apparel or I
ewelry. THAT would spoil their fun" thev
you'd say, as though meditated some ter G
a4slaI ,ietieR-------su.---zs. - s
As l have told you, I was in love II felt
hat my happiness depended upon the pos s
ession of one of these twins. But for whom
hould ask the parents Honestly, it was
10 matter which one 1 had, as affection could |
make no choice. ~ L.
One lovely eve in September, one sister Il
d i
urety that can talk to one for whole
,vening. AS she entered the parlor, saidI,
"How do you do, Miss Hannah2'
'sYou are mistaken, sir; it is Miss Sue,n
she answered.
"Are you humbugging?" asked.
''Truly not tell you sincerely you now
address Sue Grover"
1 saw she looked unusually tender, and
taking the advantage of her faltering voice
and tremulous manner, declared my love,
and she returned it with all the ardor of her
true impassioned nature. summoned the
old folks; told our devotion; gave pros
poets; and made all essential revelations.
The senior Growers gave US their blessings,
and assured us they would see our course of
true love should run smooth"
But what if that other girl should come
in? What pretty mix How should l
ever know my girli Though l again assure
you it would have made no difference l
would have proposed to Hannah just the
same. My only trouble was in the multi
tude of embarrassments incident to non-dis-
tinguishment. On this ground had a
genuine trouble.
Before Hannah returned, I invited Sue to J