The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-12-20
MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
BY c. d. CLARK.

has passed down that beautiful SlleeI ol
water can testify. The sky had not
cloud. the bold hills when hehi'iieu- 'iie
tranouil lake into its basin were green IN
their carly vertlure, and the surface OF the
Iolra was not disturbed save when great
fish leaped up, glanced moment III The
sunbeams and disappeared in the calm
depths An uneasy vagabond, it has been
my fortune to look upon much beautiful
scenery, but seldom any more beautiful
than this.
But | did not start to tell about the
scenery. As | stepped ON b0aId | saw
plainly dressed man, with la.hCT know-
ing face, looking at me keenly, and iho
nothing OF it at the time, until my atten-
ton was called to the fact that lie WAS
watching me in a singularly unpleasant
manner.
Lighting a cigar-l am one of the tobac-
co victims of whom we read so much in
the daily presS-I stIollCd forward, and
leaning against the Iail, took out my note
book, and iotting down such points in the
scenery as struck me, until a magnetic
power caused me to look up, and there
was my friend peeI;ng at me steadily
through the cabin window.
As l looked up his face took on n vacant
look, and he st.olled away, whStling in n
minor key, ard | did not see him again
until the bell rang for dinner. when he was
placed just opposite me.
At dinner | usually give my whole atte0-
ticn to the good things of this life, and if
the company made anything ont OF the
price of that meal it must become f2bu-
lously rich on the pIOfits it made on the
other fellows, for could give them ODDS
and beat them every time.
Two or three times | caught the mans
eye but whenever | did so, the old, alb
stracted look showed itself, ard his eyes
explored vacancy; and shortly after lie
arose and said something in whisper to
the captain, who started, and looked at me
quickly, and the man shook his head and
went out followed by the captain.
AS | finished my meal, and everything
within my reach was CHASTITY ruin, | fol
lowed him on deck and found hem III close
consultation forward. heard The captain
say;
hard d-looking customer, but | don't think
he would be so mean as that
Il tell yOu he is q noted character, and
we have been after him FOR three months.
Hush! Here ne comes"
Before that fellow had spoken to the
captain we had been very social, but now
he suddenly cooled toward me, and edged
away whenever l approached, apparently
desirous of getting as far out Of my reach
as possible and, no matter where | went
that watchfuI man kept me in sight and |
began to realize that he was watching me.
''Now my fIiend,' ] said, tIrning sud-
denly upon him, ''what the-advCrSaTy of
man-dO you want? Do you see anything
peculiar in my appearance ?''
He made no reply, but bcckoned to an
other man near at hand, who came for
ward
''Now. sir, = he said, ''dont let us have
any trouble about this little affair. ! ar
rest you, Sam BaineS, for the murder of
John Edicl<, of Syracuse ~
And before had time to wink, he bad
the irons on me. The other man took hold
of me on the other side, and they showed
me into the captains State-roOm, and fol-
lowed me in.
s.You may as well take it easy, Sam -
said the detective. ''Now, see here, | got
orders to wait at Geneva and watch The
cars. The person am to take is a heshy
man of middle size"
'.Yes."
''Black valisc, red nose
s.That's me, | replied.
''SInokes a good deal
yes"
'TIas dissipated air. and wears his
clothes as if they were made for somebody
else mole on his right cheek light drab
suit and blue necktie hair parted OH the
right side Now, if you sat for your pol-
trait couldn't get a better picture of the
man.
''An right" 1 said desperately. I'm
murderer, of course-Em a felOn, flying
from the law. Why, what a cussed fool
you must be not to know That :, hundred
men of that description travel over the
Central every day"
Talks nice, don't he, Bob ~ said the
detective, admiringly. He might null
the wool over anybody's eyes except ours
Now you watch him until come back
He went away, and the man, after show
ing me pistol and warning me that lie
would use it if tried 90 escape, sat down
in front of me, evidently bent ON having
my life if | made n move. ......
| was not mad enough TO tlarD him 10 do
his worst, and there we sat for an hour,
facing each other, when the first man came
back and relieved his mate. | tried to
convince the fellow that | was nothing
more dangerous than a common scr.bbler,
but it was no use. He gave me credit for
playing it well, and finally yielded to my
persuasion far enough to agree to watch
the passengers, and arrest the fellow that
looks like me, y if he was on the boat
We went ashore at Watkins, and iE was
decidedly pleasant, as sat iii the station
waiting for the train, to hear the encomi-
ums lavished upon my personal appear
ance 10y persons about. The detective
went to the telegraph Office and sent dis
patch:
GIVE got Bains. So
The answer came back directly:
@'Have you? SO have L! Let yourman
go or he'll make you trouble. d.
That detective came back with face as
long as p rail, took off my bracelets, and |
was once more 4 free man
1t would have done you good to hear the
choice selections from polite literature
which | showed upon him before the train
started hut | came to the conclusion that
it was better not to say anything about it
at home, for if it came to Dams ears ]
might as well emigTate.
When / next visited Syracuse | went to
see my double, and at once forgave the de-
tectiye. 1t is pleasant to think he is hung,
for there is no telling what ScTapc he might
have got me into. He would have passed
for my twin brother anywhere, and don't
want any brothers of that sort
To CLEAN Smokey PAPER HANGTNGS-
IL - -. g