The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-04
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

My brother and l are twins. Their,
can be no mistake about that, Tor 0u
likeness to each other is so great that j
Is positively unpleasant to our friend
and ourselves. The celebrated Corsical
brothers were not more alike than W,
are; that Is, as lar as personal appear
ance goes; beyond that jim and l ar,
able to q fault, while Jim is always vi
to mischief and constantly in hot water
| in a word, two creatures more alike il
features and unlike in character neve
existed.
How l did it can not tell, but, by som,
means managed to offend big, hulkin.
fellow, whom ! recognized as the Owner
OF a butchers shop exactly facing m,
establishment. He complained about
tradesmcn opening new shops in OppO
sition to the old ones; declared that he
had been made quite sick by some ba(
butter he had seen that day, and hoped
when the inspector OF weights and meas
ures visited the nelghbOrhOOd, that he
would look after some shopKeepers in
particular, torh 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
NV scales and weights, and rs / saw by
! their looks that the company knew that
the wretch intended me, l had no help
for it but to reply.
"Sir," said l, in the most conciliatory
manner possible, 81 am exceedingly sor-
ry that should have unWittingly offend
ed you, as it appears l have done, but
| can not fail to see that your obserya-
tions are evidently intended for me-"
"If the cap fits, you may wear it."
grinned the brute. "I shan't mention
of getting the law on me; hain't SO
Qreen."
"The cap does notfit," replied, "ior l
beg to say that my butter is excellent,
my scales just, and all your accusations
are entirely false"
With a howl OF rage the brute sprang
from his seat and dashed his pipe in my
face. Luckily, two of his companions
seized him, so that I was able to make
my escape from the room; but as fed
could hear him yociferatjng, "Come on,
you c0ward--let me go-yahW and SO on
until had left the house.
One night ring came at the bell. l
opened the door. and man clad in q
long cloak, the collar OF which was turn
cd up so as to conceal his face, rushed
into the passage, proceeding l no
sooner remarked than l Immediately
prepared to rush out into the street, for
1 can not bear burglars; but before l
could execute my purpose the fellow
caught me by the shoulder, and in tones
that froze my very blood, whispered in
my ear:
shut the door, or shall be SEIZED"
"Jimp' stammered, "Why, what is
the matter~
"Shut the door and come into the par.
lor, then l will tell you"
1 did as" he commanded, and then
waited mpatiently for the explanations
Of this sudden and mysterious visit.
"PhewW said Jim, as he threw of his
cloak, "Pye had narrow escape"
"But how have you had an escape?
and from what have you escapedp
"Dick. am ruinedW cried my brother.
throwing himself into chair. ~ backed
the wrong horse for the st. Leger, and
have lost all my money"
ri knew you would, Jim," l said; ~
knew You would. But its no use crying
over split milk, as the proVerb says; you
must come and share with me, though
Heaven knows that have not much to
offer you, for that horrid butcher has
nearly ruined me-"
"You're a good fellow, Dick, but have
worse news still. You must know that
/ had El, 600 placed in my hands to buy
horses Tor a gentleman. So convinced
was l that Vanderdecken would win this
race, that not only put my money on
him, but also that which had In trust.
L have lost all, and have had to fly to
avoid the police.'
The frjShttul news so oyercame me
I lv in, hon do nd
exclaim "Oh, what is to be done? what
is to be donep
"This is what must be dohe," said Jim,
in a hurried whisper; "you must take
my clothes and my name, and will take
yours in exchange; you must go down
to Acton to my rooms, and / Will carry
on your business here. Do you seer"
"Yes, see; but the police may arrest
me by mistake"
''Of course they will; that's the beauty
OF the thing. l Iexpect to make hatfull
of money over the next race, and when |
have done that / will show up, declare
that the whole affair has been a mistake.
either pay the 900 OF buy the horses:
you will be released, and can bring an
action for damages for false imprison-
ment."
ayes, that's all very well, Jim; but
suppose you should not win this moneyw
''Nonsense, my dear fellow; | must
win it. It's as saftsas the bank"
ayes, but so was Vanderdecken."
ooh, bother v Vanderdec zen! tell you
I must win; besides, should fail, bolt
over to France; then you prove your
identity, they must release you, aud
there they are"
"Yes, but IN the meantime shall be
in prison."
mot necessarily; you must keep close,
and then perhaps they may not find you.
l will give you a letter TO my friend Bob
Kirby-you are sure to lind him at the
sBit and Bridle'-and he will tell you
what to do. You must not write to me
here. Bob Will do all the writing, and
let you know how things are going. Now
come and let US change clothes; there is
not a moment to lose, or you will be too
late for the train"
"But my business" j gasped, forI did
not like the job at all.
"Oh, can take care Of that; you know
] understand the trade.
"But the butcherp
81 must put up with him, | suppose"
said jim, looking rather blue. "Of course
1t is not pleasant, but nothing is in this
world, and as you have stood bis insults
for so long time, l suppose ! shall be
able to bear it TOR little while. There
10 the letter; now off with your clothes
and put on mine."
How Jim did 1t can't say, but in less
than quarter OF an hour / was dressed