The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-02-03
A San Jose Mystery.

ono oI thc stranSeSt ana most pcN
culiar cases ever evoked from real
life, or from the fancy of the novelist,
was brought to our notice on Wede
nesday. The story, as far as it goes,
is true in every particular, and only
furnishes another opportunity for
the inquiring mind to ask: "Of what
manner of men are we2" About
three months since there came to the
residence of DR.. A. O. Hooker, on
San Fernando street, two young men,
twin brothers, named Alonzo and
Lorenzo Pike. Their appearance was
preposscssing, they seemed to poss-
css more than tho average amount
OF intelligence, and they were alike
in every particular dress, height,
features, voice and manner. Their
home was in Iowa, but latterly they
had resided in Oregon, where they
had engaged in teaching school. The
room was taken, and though rent
should have been raid in advance
they did not offer to pay, and moth
ing on that subject was mentioned
until the week was up, when the
doctor paid them business vioit.-
They informed him that they had no
money, but were expecting some in
few days. At tho end of another
wecl; thomatter was again broached
and tie same answer returned
Ihmgs ran along in this way for
some two months. No money was
forthcoming, and the doctor, who is
charitably disposed, and who withal
saw that
SOMETHING WAS TROUBLING THEIR
MINDS,
did not press them. Their clothes
began to look shabby, and checks to
grow hollow and emaciated. The
doctor at length paid them q visit at
their room, in order, if possible, to
learn tie cause. He asked them if
they had enough to eat. An aflir-
native answer was returned. They
said that they were amply provided
for and wanted for nothinS4 Days
passed, which told perceptibly upon
their appearance. lie was not sa,
tisfed with their statement, and again
and again cmdeavorcd to draw them
out so as to befriend them, but the
unvarying reply was that they were
provided for and needed no assis,
tancc. One day one of them was
taken sick. The doctor learned the
fact and asked his wife to make some
toast. She did so, and he took it np
to their room, but neither wanted it.
Ihe brother, who was able to be
around, said that he understood the
others condition and everything
would come out all right. So mats
ters ran on until week ago, when
both commenced to keep their room.
The doctor asked the cause, and was
told that they want ed to be left alone.
On the second visit one brother told
the doctor that the other, who was
abed, was
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SPIRITS,
and absolute quiet and solitude was
necessary. A friend of the Doctors,
on Sunday last, who had Slight &C
quaintance with the brothers, was
informed OF tic state Of affairs, and
he went up 10 see them, in order, if
possible, to arrive at their condition,
etc. lie was informed that they were
all right, and as far as money was
concerned, they expected a REMIT
tancc in a few days. Alterward Dr.
llookcr's mother in law paid them
visit, and after porsiS'iug trial made
the brother who was Oh his feet own
up THAI since the first week after
their arrival at the house a period
Of over two months they had eaten
bnt apples! His brother, he