Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-02-10
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

A SLlUHI MISlAkE.
Ny brother and I are twins. There
can be no mistake about that, for our
likeness to each other is SO great that it
is positively unpleasant to our friends
and ourselves. The celebrated Corsi-
can brothers were not more alike than
we are; that is, as far as personal ap-
pearance goes; beyond that Jim and /
were utterly dissimilar For instance:
I am fond of trade, Jim hates it; have
a great dislike for racing, Jim
dotes upon what he pleases to call ''the
Turf" [ avoid danger to such an ex-
tent that have heard some uncharita-
BILE people call my caution cowardice;
now, nothing pleases my brother better
than running risks; [ am quiet and
peaceable to a fault, while Jim is con-
stantly in hot water; in word, two
creatures more alike in features and
unlike in character never existed.
How [ did it I cannot tell, but, by
some means, managed to offend big,
hulking fellow, whom / recognized as
the owner of a butchers shop exactly
facing my establishment. / tried all [
could to soothe the monster, but he
glared at me like an ogre, and made
such very strong remarks that / thought
it better to keep silent, hoping thereby
to let the storm blow over Vain hope!
the butcher being unable to speak to
me, in consequence of my silence,
vented his malice by speaking at me.
He complained about tradesmen open
ing new shops in opposition to the old
ones; declared that he had been made
quite sick by some bad butter he had
seen that day, and hoped, when the In
spector of Weights and Measures visit
ed the neigborhood, that he would look
after some shopkeepers in particular,
for he, Mr.. Grote, had watched one
fellow tampering with his weights and
scales all day. .--. ...
know he meant me, for [ certainly
had amused myself in the intervals of
serving my customers by polishing up
scales and weights, and as I saw by
their looks that the company knew that
the wretch intended me, [ had no help
for it but to reply.
'SSir," said I, in the most concilatory
manner possible, II am exceedingly
sorry that [ should have unwittingly
offended you. as it appears l have done,
but cannot fail to see that your obser-
vations are very evidently intended for
me-"
eff the cap fits you may wear it, %
grinned the brute. 81 shan't mention
names, to give any one the opportunity
Of getting the law on me; I amt SO
green"
The cap doesn't ft,' Ireplied, "for
beg to say that my butter is excellent,
my scales just, and that all your accusa-
tions are entirely false"
With howl of rage the brute sprang
from his seat and dashed his pipe in
my face. Luckily two of his compan-
ions seized him, so that I was able to
make my escape from the room; but as
I fed I could hear him vociferating,
"Come on, you coward-let me 60
yah you curr' and SO on, until [ had
left the house.
From that moment my life was full Of
misery. That horrid wretch, Grote,
would not let me alone; he leased me
morning, noon and night, until [ be-
came the laughing-stock Of the neigh
borhood, and consequently my trade
fell off until ruin seemed to stare me in
the face. My neighbors avoided me as
If [ had the plague, and some even
went SO far as to join the butcher In
annoying me, SO that at last became
frightened to go out, and passed my
evenings in the little parlor behind my
shop, making up my books.
One night when [ was SO engaged, a
ring came to the bell. I opened the
door, and a man clad in long cloak,
the collar of which was turned up so
as to conceal his face, rushed into the
passage, a rocecding / no sooner re-
marked than Immediately prepared to
rush out into the street, for I cannot
bear burglars; but before I could ex-
ecute my purpose the fellow caught me
by the shoulder, and in tones that froze
my very blood, whispered in my ear:
"Don't be fool, Dick; come in and
shut the door, or I shall be seized
g Jim !" / stammered. Why,
what's the natter"
"Shut the door and come into the
parlor, then I'll tell you
/ did as he commanded, and then
waited impatiently for the explanation
OF the sudden and mysterious visit. !
Phew - said Jim, as he threw off
his cloak. I've had narrow es-
cape"
" But how have you had an escape?
and from what have you escaped ?"
Dick, L am ruined !" cried my
brother, throwing himself into a chair.
Il backed the wrong horse for the ST.
Leger, and-have lost all my money"
81 knew you would, JIM" [ said /;
81 knew you would. But it's no use
crying over split milk, as the proverbs
says: you must come and share with
me, though Heaven knows that I have
not much to offer you, for that horrid
ar,tcLar hoe raarlu r11inad ma .