The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-10-08
Fate Of tho Siamese Twins.
A STRANGE STORY.


A correspondent, whose accuracy of state
ment we have no occasion to doubt, tlrnishe.
| the following remarkable story, the particu
| lars of which he gathered during a recen
trip in Europe:
was compelled to remain at the little
town of Sin Baden, ,longer than expect
ed. had comfortable quarters at the ''Whitt
Horse tavern. the resort generally of parties
in search of pleasure, S. being noted as
the centre point from whence the traveller
could visit all the lovely views and locations
for which this part of the country is celebrat-
ed.
The day was dreary, the rain pouring down
in streams the guests remain at the table
longer than usual, calling for an extra
sohopple" for the sake of companionship and
pastime; chairs were drawn c.oser, in friend
ly recognition of their ne;ghbors' desire for
sociability, while the state of the weather
was discussed until even this theme appeared
atlast exhausted; then commenced an ex-
change of anecdotes and witticism that soon
enlivened the atmosphere and our company
Not the least interesting of our party was
a young, wealthy landowner of the province
and commercial traveller from Berlin, whose
flow of natural wit and laughabe retorts
kept us in perpetual roar.
''Of course" said he, as something like
quiet was restored after one of his ridiculous
stories, ''you gentlemen are aware of the
death of both the Siamese twirs ?'
''What!' was the exclamation of surprise
on all sides. 1.-THE twins dead? Poor fellows
What pity! Was it the result of surgical
operation? The first have heard of it, real
ly."
''No,' responded the narrator,esadly, ''they
sufferered frightful DEATH" As he said this
HI tc faon ,,a1 1oP
row, which was soon reflected by those
around him, while even those skeptIcs who
had little faith in his gloomy revelation be-
gan to look earnest.
The Berliner paused impressively, gazing
in sorrowing silence on the table before him.
"But, goodness! tell us about it, exclaim-
ed the Hanover gentleman, his eyes flashing
with curiosity,
You see, gentlemen" began the Berliner,
thus urged, ''you have doubtless heard that
this twin is very foud of money; they both
have wives and quite number of successors.
That is why they concluded to take one last
triumphant journey,
''They took passage last March at Aspin-
wall, in one of the large steamers via the In
dies, through the Suez canal for Europe In
mid-ocean an accident occurred to the boil
ers, and necessitated the use of sails in their
place.
''You are, no doubt aware, gentlemen, that
steamship makes but clumsy saiiship.
''They were overtaken sby heavy storm,
from the north h-northeast, that carried them
tar, far into the South, and one fearful dark
night found them a total wreck ON the rocks
south of New Guinea.
Passengers and crew were lost, ,all but our
twins, and, strange as it may seem, provi-
dental wave landed them safely on the coast:
Unfortunately, they were cast from the fry
ing pan into the fire. as it were, for just at
this time, q band of the tribe of the wild Ma
oris were celebrating the feast of the new
moon, and during theirinhuman performance
Iunity"-heIe the narrator's lips quivered
painfully. and his voice softened-"these un-
natural, atrocious monsters ate our unhappy
Twins for a phi!opena"