Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-06-16
Selected 1>iseelIanp.
TIE WRONG MAN.

Many years ago, my HedltH udNtng De-
come much impaired by over study | was
recommended to pass winter in the south
of France. OF so agreeable a prescription
| readily availed myself. | was without
wife or child to cucumber my departure.
And, armed only with portmanteau, made
a most delightly journey Of it to the charm
ing town OF V.
Shortly after my arrival, whilst sitting
at the window Of my hotel, a man passed
by, so very much like myself that, strIck
with the resemblance, | arose, and leaned
forward, followed him with my eyes. His
dress bespoke him an Englishman. He
was tall; so was / Slim; was slim, His
eyes were blue, his skin fair, his hair deep
auburn, his nose aquiline All this was
my portrait.
When he reached the bottom of the street
he paused, looked around, then slowly re-
turned, crossing the road, however, and
taking the opposite pavement. This en-
abled me to get clearer view Of the man
| confess | was much impressed with the
resemblance, and hardly liked it, The
Psychologist, | thought, may delight as
be pleased in such condolences; for M
part | decidedly object to being made a
portion of any sort Of phenomenon. Ihad
read of very unpleasant consequences fol-
lowing personal resemblances, and earn
estly hoped that this individual whom ma
ture, short of moulds at the time, had un-
doubtedly cast in mine, would speedily
clear the neighborhood of his presence
A week or two after this, in taking a
walk across beautiful bit ofadjacent coun-
try, | suddenly encountered my likeness
seated on q rustic bench beneath tree,
with his arm circling the waist Of very
beautiful peasant girl. Her skin, ola pure
and cream-ike tint, finely contrasted the
beautiful luxuriance OF her black hair.
Her eyes flashed upon me as ] passed,
and ! noticed her drew herself erect with
rapid hameur, as if indignant or impatient
of detection. The man by her side, who
would have passed very well for ne to any
other person but my mother and myself,
still maintained his caressiug attitude.
He did not condescend to raise his eyes
to me as passed but kept them fixed upon
the face of the girl, who, could see, watch
ed me with species Of sullen eagerness,
as if wishing me well out of sight
As passed them | must confess to hav-
ing experienced momentary sensation OF
envy of the man. Since Nature has put
him in my skin, | thought, it seems only
fair that should put myself in his shoes.
For all know, | reflected the beautiful
peasant girl might have been originally de-
signed for me; but the intention of nature
has been defeated by her love of coinci-
dence. ! laughed at my thoughts as |
walked on, and then, turning corner, |
lost sight Of the lovers.
On reaching the bottom of the lane |
found had fallen upon a cM de sac. The
passage terminated in series of fields,
across which | could discover no foot path.
] had no wish to be arrested for trespass.
ing, so decided on returning the way
had come.
On sighting the bench found it was de.
serted ! was not sorry. | would by no
means have disliked another peep at the
beautiful brunette; but at the same time
had no ambition to inspire the couple WIKI
the notion that | was watching them.
ha got to the top of the hill, and was
passing between row of thick bushes,
making sort Of natural hedge for broad
area OF trees, like gigantic park, when |
was suddenly startled by the report of a
pistol discharged to my left, AT the same
moment heard the hollow sound of bail
striking my hat Rnl that article of dress
rolled 20 the ground
looked rounj with pale face. The
attack was horribly sudden. Who. in the
name of heaven wanted my liie2 For what
crime was my blood demanded? What had
done? saw the blue smoke curling in
from the densest portion Of the bushes and
heard the cracking of the fulze and twigs.
caused 10y the hasty flight of some one.
picked up my hat, The ball had pass.
ed clear through it, Had it struck two
inches lower 1t would have entered my
skull
fastened toward the town, possessed
with much the same sort of eny able feel.
ings as you might imagine n Tipperary
landlord or agent would feel who sees
threats of his life carved on every other
tree Bravery in IA situation of this sort
was quite out of the question. OF what use
is pluck when you have to deal with invisi
bic foes.
might almost confess to having broken
into downright flight as / neared the town.
so extremely anxious was to escape the
vicinity OF every sheltering bush. tree or
hedge in the neighborhood.
On gaining my hotel began to rehec,
on my narrow escape. | had been too
much excited TO attach to it the significance
it demanded. But the hole in my hate
veyed the most shuddering information OF
my narrow escape. Beyond all reasonable
doubt my life within that hour had only
been worth two paltry inches.
repeated the question to myself "Who
wants my life2 And IT anyhedy wants IT..
what are his claims, What have | done 70
merit assassination
Being wholly unable TO answer These
queries, lresoved to make eouf6art q,
MY host, Tie ho.el-keeper called linn
70 my room, and told him what had hap.
pened. lie shrugged his shoulders as lie
exclaimed;
Monsieur like tho rest Of mankind
must pay the penAIte, Of making love
But said |, shocked II l.s S44g tyo'9
II have not made love. Since have been