The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-05-19
The Penalty Of Resemblance

The Penalty Of Resemblance.
Many years ago, my. health having
become much impaired by over study,
[ was recommended to pass a winter
inthessouth of, France. Of so agree
able prescription I readily availed
myself. was without wife or child
to. cucumber my departure; and,
armed only with portmanteau, made
a most delightful journey of it to the
charming town of V. --.-..
Shortly after my arrival, whilst sit
ting at the window of my hotel, a
man passed by, so much like myself,
that, struck with the resemblance I
rose, and leaning forward, followed
him with my eyes. His dress bespoke
him an Englishman. He was tall; so
was l. Slim; was slim. His eyes
were blue, his skin fair, his hair a
deep auburn, his nose aqui1ine. All
this was. my portrait. When he had
reached the bottom of the street he
paused, looked around, and then
slowly returned, crossing the road,
however, and taking the opposite
pavement. This enabled me to get a
clearer view of the man. I confess 1
was much impressed with the resem-
blance; and hardly liked it. The ply
siologist, I thought, may delight as
much as he pleases in such coinci-
dence; for my part, I decidedly OBJ
jetEl to being made a portion of any
sort. of phenomenon. L had read of
VERY unpleasant consequences follow
| ing personal resemblances, and earn
estly hoped that this individual, whom
nature, short of, moulds at the time,
had undoubtedly cast in mine, would
| speedily clear the neighborhood of his
presence. eoea ts
"A week or two after this, in taking
q walk across q beautiful bit of ada
cent country, suddenly encountered
my likeness, seated ON rustic bench
beneath a tree, with his arm circling
the waist ola very beautiful peasant
girl. Her skin, of a pure and cream
like tint finely contrasted with the
splendid luXuriance of her black hair.
Her eyes flashed upon me as passed,
and / noticed her draw herself erect
with rapid hautellr, as if Indignant or
impatient of detection. The man by
her side, who W ould have passed very
well for me to any other person but
my mother or myself, still maintained
his caressing attitude. He did not
condescend to raise his eyes to me as
| | passed, but kept them fixed upon
/ the face of the girl, who, 1 could see
watched me with species of sullell
eagerness, as if wishing me well ont
of sight. s.t' r. ta''.. =. -. .i'.;.e are
= As 7 passed them, I must confess to
having experienced a momentary sen
sation Of envy of the man. Since ma.
tture had put him in my skin, [ thought
it seems only fair that | should put
myself in his shoes. For all / knew
I reflected, that beautiful peasant gir
naight have been Intended for me but
the intention of nature has been de
feated by her love of coincidence
laughed at my thoughts as / walked
on, and, turning corner lost sight @
| the lovers. ezs;s.
On reaching the bottom of the lane
/ found that had fallen upon cul
! de-sqc, The passage terminated in .
lEseries of fields, across which I coult
discover no foot path. 1 had no wisl
to be arrested for trespassing, so de
cided on returning the way had come
On sighting the bench, ] found tina
it was deserted. I was sorry!.
would by no means have disliked an
other peep at the beautiful brunette
but. at the same. time, had nosambi
ton to inspire the couple with the nc
ton that / was watching them.
IL | had got to the top of thehilE, an
r vas passing between a row oftlic
bushes, making SORT Of nat1afh
for q broad area of trees, like gigan
2 tic park, when I was suddenly startle
4 by the report Of a pistol, discharge
at my left. AT the same moment
heard the hollow sound Of ba
striking my hat, and that article {
f dress rolled to the ground. .
Hooked round with a pale face
That attack was horribly sudden
WHO, in the name of heaven, wante
my life? For what crime was IN
blood, demanded? What had done
4 I saw the blue smoke curling up frol
Il the denscst portion of the furze an
: .twigs, caused by tho hasty flight
i some ono. ,,.,.+.a .a..-.,, .s.. .5;;5,s1
4 Ipicked up my hat. The ball ha
: passed clean through it. Had it strut
4 two inches lower it would have .el
= tered my skull. a"sl3 t4s 5ia o.al q
nj / FASTENED toward the town. po
d sessed with much the same sort ofie
e yiable feeling as you might imagine
r. r. Tipperary landlord or agent wou
feel who sees threats Of his life cary,
Al m = l.