Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-08-16
THE TWO MARTENS.
a Story That Illustrates the Some Time
Convenience Of a Double

Arson Marthen, civil engineer and
railway builder, whose headquarters
were in New York, suffered more or less
nearly every day of his life for the rea-
son that there was another man of eX-
actly the same name who also lived in
New York but had no business or pro-
fession whatever. The men were I'M
like in almost every particular, except
that both were bachelors and fond of
ladies. Arson Marthen, the engineer
earned q pleasing number of dollars
every year and always paid his bills us
soon rs they were presented; his nOmi-
nal double never earned penny and
never paid Il bill when he could avoid it,
and as this popularity had become
prominent enough to be talked about, it
occasionally subjected the honest Mar
then to eXasperating indignities from
persons who knew the name, but not
the men who bore it. The dishonest
Marthen, on the contrary, got all nee
essary credit ut tailors' shops, livery
stables, and even hotels where the exis-
tence of two MarthenS was not known;
he had merely to devise some excuse to
talk of railroads and engineering to be
taken for his entirely reputable double.
His bills, in the course of time, reached
the engineers office, and were the cause
of much profane language from the
wrong Marthen, and much fun among
the two or three clerks and draughts-
men whom the busy railroad builder
employed. One thing, however, he
could and would do; he would manage
to see his troublesome double so that he
irvhf aff arIl Nv, io,l,t nd
defend himself against him whenever he
found himself in close social or business
proximity to the rascal. Marthen was
Informed that the man who lived upon
the engineers reputation was at Sarato-
ga, SO the indignant man hastily packed
his trunk and hurried off to that crowd.
ed village.
On the train he Glanced to find
pleasant and entirely innocent travelling
acquaintance. A well dressed, not I'M
comely lady who sat in front of him en-
deavorcd to raise u window and Mar
then FASTENED to assist her, getting
pleasant smile and a word of thanks in
payment. Marthen skillfully involved
the lady III conversation, and finding, tC
his great delight, that she was amiable
but not smart. quite susceptible, yet not
inclined to tlirt. he became very devOt-
ed. Marthen was SO favOrably impress
ed by his new acquaintance that he re-
GREETED, on leaving the train, that he
had not strained his habitual courtesy
enough to learn her name, and ask the
honor of being again allowed to meet
her, for she had let drop the fact that
she was Il widow.
As he signed the hotel register the
clerk read the signature and winked at
rather rough-looking man with whom
he had been talking; then the rough
looking man read the signature and eX-
claimed:
You're Just the man am looking
for, Mr.. Marthen; I've only just been
able to lind out where YOU were stop
ping. Can't you give me check for this
carriage bill? It's been running nearly
a month, and the boys said you"
I'm not the man you want, said
Marthen, first saying something that
would not look we'll to print.
''YOur name is
Yes, yes, yes, ;" interrupted Marthen;
''but there is another man of the same
name, and he is swindler. I came
here to run him down; I've got detec-
and they will put YOU on his track"
For an hour or more Marthen was in
very bad temper, but he grew calmer
when, strolling out to look at the
crowds of carriages and their occupants.
he met several acquaintance who had
temporarily abjured billiards or flirting
for the same purpose. As he chatted
with one of these carriage passed
slowly and Marthen saw in it the amia-
BILE little widow he had met on she train
in the morning. She did not seem to
recognize him, but his friend raised his
hat and was smiled upon.
''Who is she, Jenksp-tell me quick. :"
She's Mrs. Whitlayton, widow of
VIII Whitlayton, who was just starting
to make fortune in wool when, a
couple # years ago, he took pneumonia
and died He left her $780, or $780,
600 though
''Has she any family?' asked Mar
then.
mo; she makes her home with her
uncle and aunt whom she doesn't love
any too well, I'm told. Excuse me a
moment continued Marthen's friend,
taking the arm of gentleman who was
about to pass them, s'here's good fell
low YOU ought to know, Cranch; do you
know my friend Arson Marthen? Mr..
Marthen, Mr.. Cranch."
I'm very glad to know you, sir,
said Mr.. Cranch, ''but, if it isn't toe
impudent question to ask on so short
an acquaintance, why are you strolline
on foot with Fred here, while your
CHARMING fancee is riding al0fe?'