The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-02-19
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

NV brother and are twins. There
can be no mistake about that. for our
likeness to each other is so great that
Il 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
are utterly dissimlar. For instance
L am fond of trade, Jim hates it; I
have great dislike to horse-raclng,
Jim dotes upon what he pleases TO call
"the Turf - avoid danger to such an
extent that / have heard some unchari-
table people call my caution cowardice
now, nothing pleases by brother better
than running risks; / am quiet and
peaceable to fault, while Jim is always
mp to mischief, and constantly in hot
water in a word, two creatures more
alike in features and unlike in charac-
ter never existed.
OF course this likeness causes no end
of trouble. Many and many a time
have I had to answer for -Jim's faults.
IF he robbed the orchard, was sure
to be beaten for it, although detested
unripe fruit, and could not share in the
plunder for which I had to pay the pen
atty.
For all that, we were the best of
friends, and always ready to assist each
other In any way we could, and, in
spite of all the annoyances, never quar-
relied.
At the age of IA Jim and were ap-
prenticed to . butterman, who resided
In Acton. OF course was the mas
ter's favnrite, for stuck well to busi-
ness, while Jim spent all his leisure
time with the men from the training
stables, and took more interest in max
ing up q betting book than in serving
the customers. When we had served
our time determined to start in bust
ness, and asked my brother to join me.
but he would not listen to my proposal.
ssNo, no, Dick" he said 1--WE
done with butter and bacon forever
that is. except for breakfast or tea. I
intend going in for horse racing. ]
have already put q few pounds on the
Derby, and / am now busy making up
book for Ascot. %
In vain tried to persuade him to
give up the idea; he was determined,
and when Jim had made up his mind
nothing could make him alter it. was
very sorry, for I looked upon Jim ae
entirely lost; for, in my opinion, bet
ting meant bankruptcy, both in cash
and honor. However, / trusted that
Jim would soon see the folly of his ways
and would be glad TO join me in my
shop. pictured to myself the happl
ness should feel when that moment
arrived (for that my shop would fai
never entered my thoughts more thar
it did that Jim would ever make for
tune by betting, as he has since done)
and became almost anxious for thu
news that my brother had lost hi
money.
It was proud day for me when
frst opened my shop in High street
delight at the sight of my first customer
who, by the way, only bought an ounce
of butter but it was but the commenc
ment of the gigantic trade intended t
do, and therefore was happy. As th,
day advanced, my trade increased, and
at night, when / counted the content.
of my till, fonnd that had every rea
son to congratulate myself, and there
fore, in q luckIess hour determined tt
smoke pipe and have a glass in tn.
parIor of q neighboring public house
Accordingly put on my hat and start
ed off, and in few minutes was com
fortab1y seated in the snug parlor, puff
hng my tobacco and quafing my ale.
The company was neither numerous
nor select, being mostly composed o
butchers, set of men of whom havl
rather q horror, ! don't know why
They are q highly useful, and, hav,
people have their antipathies, anG
butchers are one of mine. However
disguised my feelings, and joined il
the conversation, hoping thereby ..
make myself agreeable to the company
among whom were many of my neigh
bors.
How I did it I cannot tell, but b,
some means managed TO Offend big
hulking fellow, whom i recognized a
the owner of butchers shop exactl,
facing my establishment. / tried al
I could to soOthe the monster, but h
glaPed at me like an ogre, and mad
such very strong remarks that though
it better TO keep silent, hoping thereb,
to let the storm blow over. Vain hope
mo, in consequence of my silence, vent
ed his malice by speaking at me. III
complained about tradesmen opening
new shops in opposition to the old ones
declared that he had been made quit
sick by some bad butter that he hal
seen that day; and hoped, whe1
the Inspector of Weights and Measure
visited thatneighborhood, that he woul
look after some shopkeepers in particu
Lar. for he, Mr.. Grote, had watched on
fellow tampering with his weights an
scales all day.
knew he meant me, for certainI
had amused myself in the intervals q
serving my customers by polishing u
my scales and weights, and as I saw b
their looks that the company knew this
the wretch intended me, ] had no he1
Tor it but 20 reply.
sss5ir, said /, IN the most conciliatOr
manner possible, ssI am exeeedingl
sorry that i should have nnwit
tingly offended you; but cannot fa
20 see that your observations are ev1
dently intended for me.
Ii the cap fits, you may wear il,
grinned the brute. shant mentio
names, to give any one the opportnnit
Of getting the Law OF me; I amt 8
green s.. ,
. The cap does not fit. replied
'sfor I beg to say that my butter
excellent, my scales just, and that
your accusations are entirely false.
With howl of rage, the bEutespran
from his seat and daahed his pipe IA ~
face. Luckily two Of his companion
seized him, SO that ] was able to max
my escape from the room but as he
I could hear him yociferating, Com
T.2 Nw6N IN YxfN