The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1883-07-19
THE TWO MARTENS.
A story That Illustrates the Some Time
Convenience of n Double.

Anson 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 unlike
in almost every particular, except that
both were bachelors and fond of ladies.
Anson Marthen, the engineer, earned a
pleasing number of dollars every year
and always paid his pills as soon as they
were presented; his nominal double
never earned penny and never paid u
bill when he could avoid it, and as this
peculiarity had become prominent
enough to be talked about. It OCCASION
ally subjected the honest Marthen to ex-
asperating indignities from persons who
knew the name, but not the men who
bore it. The dishonest Marthen, on the
contrary, got all necessary credit at
tailors' shops, livery stables, and even
hotels where the existence of two Mar
thcns was not known; he had merely to
devise some 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, andwere the cause of much
profane language from the wrong Mar
then, and much fun among the two or
three clerks and draughtsmen whom
the busy railroad builder employed.
One thing. however,, he could and would
do; hewould manage to see his trouble-
some double so that he might afterward
know him by sight and 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 engi-
neer's reputation was at Saratoga, so
the indignant man hastily packed his
trunk and hurried off to that crowded
village
On the train he CHANGED to find a
pleasant and entirely innocent travel
ing acquaintance. A well dressed not
uncomely lady who sat in front of him
endeavored to raise a window and
Marthen fastened to assist her, getting
pleasant smile and word of thanks
IN payment. Marthen skillfully in =.
yolved the lady in conversation, and
hndlng, 70 his great delight that she
was amiable but not smart, quite sus-
Eeeptible, yet not inclined to flirf, he
became very devoted. Marthen was so
iaYorably impressed by his new ae-
9ualntance that lie regretted, on leaving
the tram, that he had not strained his
haDltual courtesy enough to learn her
name, and ask the honor of being
again allowed to meet her, for she had
let drop that she was 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
exclaimed: 6E
you're just the man I'm looking
lor' Mr. Marthen; I've only Just been
aole TO lind out where you were stop
pingi can t you give me a check for
'hls carriage bill? It's been running
nearly month, and the boys said
:, m not the man YOU waft,n said
Marthen, first saving something that
would not look well in print.
Your name is
Yes, yes,H interrupted Marthen:
out there's another man of the same
m'lne' and he's swindler. / came
mere to run him down; I've got de-
!.ccuVes after him; come here this even
w anu they will put you on his track. .
ror an hour or more Marthen was in
very pad temper, but he grew calmer
Nnen, strolling ont TO look at the
v.oWas Of carriages and their occu-
pants, ne met several acquaintances
mho had temporarily abiured billiards
u lirtlng Tor the same purpose, As he
enalted with one of these a carriaoe
passed slowly and Marthen saw in II
.he amlable little widow he had met on
.ne lraln IN the morning. She did not
seeH 10 recognize him, but his friend
'"lsed his hat and was smiled upon.
M ~ no Is she, JenksP-tell me, quick. "
u,;n one ne, Mrs. Whitlayton, widow of
~ Hhltlayton, who was just starting
make fortune in wool when, a
oJpie I OF Years ago, he took pneumonia
S1o ana died. He left-h her $40, 600 or $780,
then. -'''iy "sAeu MAT
40; she makes her home with an
uncle and aunt whom She doesn't love
"uy 70 We'll, I'm told. Excuse me a
.noment, continued Marthen's friend.
aaklng The arm of a gentleman who was
ieu. ~ 70 pass them, ''here's a good fell
vo', Tm you ought to know; Cranch, do
NJ Anow my friend Anson Marthenp
"r, Marthen, Mr.. Cranch.' 9
.o;d "a M m very glad to know you, sir,
s~,I n,,S. M. Cranch, ''but, if it ism too i'm
ac,,,s. puuent question TO ask on SO short an
foat foatual!n1taInee, why are you strolling on
INV. M ,, WIN Fred here, while your charm
'hg liancee is riding alone5,
ro, hancee?n exclaimed the engi-
1ooi , - "a astonishment, while his friend
i9oAed inouiringlY.