The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1883-08-11
THE TWO MARTENS.

StO That Illustrates the Some Time
Convenience of a Double.
Ann Marthen, civil engineer and
rallw builder, whose headquarters
were. New York, suffered more or less
nearl every day of his life for the rea-
son TT there was another man of ex-
actlyle same name who also lived in
New .ork but had no business or pro-
fessiowhatever. The men were unlike
IN alOst every particular, except that
both ere bachelors and fond of ladies.
AnsoMarthen, the engineer, earned a
pleasg number of dollars every year
and aFays paid his bills as soon as they
were PRESENTED; his nominal double
neverarned penny and never paid a
bill wen he could avoid it, and as this
peculfity had become prominent
enoug to be talked about, it occasion
ally sDjected the honest Marthen to ex-
asperdng indignities from persons who
knewhe name, but not the men who
bore j The dishonest Marthen, on the
contrsy, got all necessary credit at
tailors shops, livery stables, and even
hotelsEhere the existence of two Mar
thens tas not known; he had merely to
deviseome excuse TO talk of railroads
and engineering to be taken for his en-
tirely reputable double. His bills, in
the course of time, reached the engi-
neer's office, and were the cause of much
profaM language from the wrong Mar
then, md much fun among the two or
three Jerks and draughtsmen whom
the busy railroad builder employed.
One thing, however, he could and would
do; he would manage to see his trouble
some duble so that he might afterward
know him by sight and defend himself
againsthim whenever he found himself
in closs social or business proximity
to the rtscal. Marthen was informed
that theman who lived upon the engi-
neer's Hputation was at Saratoga, SO
the indignant man hastily packed his
trunk and hurried off to that crowded
village. F
On The train he CHANGED to find a
pleasant and entirely innocent travel
ing acquaintance. A well dressed, not
uncomelI lady who sat in front of him
endeavopd to raise a window and
Northumberland to assist her, getting
pleasant smile and word of thanks
in payment. Marthen skillfully in
volved tie lady in conversation, and
finding, % his great delight that she
was amible but not smart, quite sus-
ceptible, yet not inclined to flirt, he
became vry devoted. Marthen was SC
favorably impressed by his new ac-
Quaintane that he regretted, on leaving
the train that he had not strained his
habitual courtesy enough to learn heI
name, and ask the honor of being
again allowed to meet her, for she had
let drop tat she was widow.
As he lgned the hotel register the
clerk reatthe signature and winked al
a rather rugh-looking man with whom
he had ben talking; then the rough
looking ian read the signature and
exclaimed
YOU'RE just the man I'm looking
for, Mr. Mrthen; I've only just been
able to fid out where you were stop
ping; cam you give me check fol
this CARRIE billp It's been running
nearly q lonth, and the boys sale
you" =.
I'm ne the man you want, sale
Marthen, rst saying something thai
would notpok well in print.
Your rHme is"
"Yes, Vs." interrupted Marthen
"but theirs another man of the same
name, ant he's a swindler. | came
here to ri him down; I've got de
tectives aft him; come here this even
ing and thy will put you on his track. ,
For an lur or more Marthen was il
a very ba{emper, but he grew calmel
when, stirling out to look at thu
crowds ocarriages and their occu
pants, hemet several acquaintance
who. had nporarily abjured billiards
or flirting + the same purpose. As h
cbatted WI one of these carriage
passed sldy and Marthen saw in j
The amiablittle widow he had met OF
the train iihe morning She did no
seem to regnize him, but his frient
raised his It and was smiled upon
"Who is e, JenksP-tell me, quick. ,
sShe's Is. WhitlaytOn, widow o
Will Whitlton, who was just starting
To make aortune in wool when,
couple of yts ago, he took pneumonia
and died. left her $4,000 or $780,
900, though
HAS sh1y family! askeu MAI
then.
mo; sheiakes her home with al
uncle and at whom she doesn't Low
any to welI'm told. Excuse me
moment," dinued Marthen's friend
taking The a of gentleman who wa
about to pashem, ''here's good tel
low you out to know; Cranch, d
you know nfriend Arson 'Marthen
Mr.. MartheIdr. Cranch.
I'm veryad to know you, sir
said Mr.. Graf ''but, if it isn't too i'm
pudent qu9n 10 ask on SO short q
acquaintancehy are you strolling o
foot with Freere, while your charm
ing tiancec iAing aloneg"
MY fanc'' exclaimed the eng
neer, IN ASSIGNMENT, while his frien
looked inouiTly.