Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-04-23
SELECTED STORY.
THE TWIN SISTERS.
BY E. R. G.

"Well," said Ned Arlington, +" for my
part, have never loved but one woman,
and she is now my better half"
Il tell you, stranger" replied q fellow
stage-coacher, ''you have had an easy court
ship. Now, have been 50 situated that I
was compelled to love two ladies"
1.-TWO ladies p retorted Ned.
eyes, sir, two ladies'"
"But you did not love them both alike"
CHOW, stranger, there was just the troub-
lie. / was thinking of this precise difficulty
when remarked you had an easy courtship."
"You puzzle me !" exclsimed Ned. "Sup-
pose you relieve our minds by q rehearsal. :"
''It will afford me pleasure and you enter
tainment," rejoined the handsome and social
fellow traveller.
Here we all leaned forward, intent on
hearing how man was compelled to love
two ladies with the same degree of fervor.
"My friends" said he, eff you ever visit
New Haven. Connecticut, you will hear these
expressions: "As much alike as the Grover
girls ;" or this, You can no more distinguish
them than you can tell Sue from Hannah
Grover say, ladies and gentlemen, when
New Havener is discussing point of sim
iltude, he is sure to refer to the wonderful
Grover girls II had not been in the Elm
City six hours before heard these compari.
sons went to this place intending to en-
ter business firm On my arrival stopped
at the Tontine At this hotel two gentlemen
were arguing point Of law and it was then
I first heard this language. One speaker
was proving that two expressions nearly
meant the same thing, and paralleled the
two propositions with the notorious twins.
"Now there is one thing have in COM
mon with women-that is curiosity. I own
it, and will confess that was on notifies
Never could be appeased until had a view
Of these females
"'Tell me, said I to the bookeeper, are
these Grover girls so very much alike7"
care they ?" said he, in surprise. "Well,
I tell you, Mr.. Miller, If you can distinguish
them after weeks acquaintance, will pay
your bills at this house for the balance Of
your residence"
"How can I see them :"
"Pll tell you. Observe that bright-look-
ing gent with the white hat. That is Mr..
Potter, one of our rising lawyers. He is in
innate with the sisters. Obtain an intro
duction to him and he will see you through"
care these ladies Of good standing I"
"Oh among our first people"
'Can Mr.. Potter distinguish them?"
"Never, sir, never and he looks with the
eye of detective"
"How long has be known them p
''Three or four years, to my certain knowl-
edge. 1t may be longer" ....
This determined me. l soon established
myself with the lawyer by retaining him in
an important case. found him more than
willing to afford the introduction, as he was
anxious to see the fix their identity never
failed to create in stranger, will not for
get that first interview. Two exquisitely
beautiful ladies of twenty entered the room.
I beheld duplicates. One was the precise
copy of the other. They dressed alike, to
ribbon and ring. Their voices and coun-
tenances gave no clue. Then their motions
left you none the wiser.
Said Potter, CHOW take a good look, for
I wish to see if you can identify them"
"Mr. Potter said I, "you will embar-
rass the ladies'"
'.Not at ALL" said one. "We are used to
this" said the other. ut is the great
amusement afforded by our resemblance.
Here both spoke. but, on honor, it all sound
ed like one voice,
Said T, "tadies, pardon moi know you
are not horses, but allow me to look at your
teeth"
I desired this, deeming there would be
found some little speck, indentation or irreg-
ularity that would ever serve as an index
they exhibited their pearl rows; but, after
minute investigation. | was no better inform
ed I examined the finger nails, then the
lines on their hands, still I gave it up that
Sue and Hannah might forever exchange
places wishout detection on my part.
The ridiculous blunders of admirers we're
frequent. Mantuamakers, Shoemakers and
trades people in general were continually
presenting Sue an account created by Han
nah, or telling Hannah some lines intended
for the ears Of Sue,
The beauty of the ladies impressed me.
They were of my style. An acquaintance OF
two months demonstrated their superiority
in all respects. In brief found myself IN
love--but with which one 4?
When tender ideas arose, I found it just as
natural to talk to one as the other. Yes, !
solemnly aver was in love-I had the real
connubial article.
frequently took them out. yet never
knew whom had. If my lady would quot.
Sue, thought 1t clear I had Hannah. or il
Hannah was mentioned, I believed | was
beauing Sue. Indeed, it was mere matter
of faith. There was no evidence. for often
one palmed herself on me as the other. This
was chronic dodge played on their various
admirers to suit convenience and insure rest.
As far as these gallants were concerned, II
was immateri.l. Although one might be
called for by name, the other would 40 Just
as we'll, no one being able to detect the dill
ference.
I often implored them to contra-dlstin,
guish themselves by some article OF apP pa
or jewclry. But it was fruitless. ''lha'