The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-24
MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
A Bewildered Traveller Worshiped
as Grand Duke Alexis.

sides. But it is ali one and the sam
story. The circumstances happene'
an Bunkville, n. j., at the time tina
the Russian Grand Duke Alexis made
his first visit to this country. Yes
Bunkvillc is fictitious name. But tn,
story isn't. o, no!
was in Bunkvillc over Sunday anC
stopped at Spott's tavcrl. As th-
clerks desk was placard r:t lin :
Commercial travellers can MT be ac
commodated. And as l was Il com
mercial traveller kept mum, but kept
thinking, Presently l asked the land
lord why he could not keep drummers.
"Never do he said.
"Why?"
because one of 'em took me and
the whole town in oncer'
Chow was that?"
cit was several years ago. on the oc-
easion of the Grand Duke Alexis trav-
cling in the United States. He was to
pass through here on his way from New
York to Washington, and some of our
folks made it point to watch for him
at the depot. Our telegraph operator
found out what train he was to take
or thought he did and thought it was
the six clock train. 1t was a stormy
day, heavy ice and snow, and when the
train came in the locomotive broke
down just out from the village. There
were only few passengers, and all out
hn bn A-o
excepting one young man, pompous
drummer, who got off and came over
to my tavern. l think that some way
he found out that our folks had been
on the lookout for the Russian Prince,
for no sooner did he come in than he
signs in the register Alexis This,
and the fact of his wearing fur coat,
completely took us in, and thinking he
was the royal nubbin and no mistake,
we opened our arms to him; and in
short treated him as if he was what he
pretended to be. We gave him a re-
ception and, well, before morning he
had decamped and we found we were
fooled, and that he was only drum
mer, name of Alexander Martin, from
Albany. That experience set me
against the fellow 5 craft.
Now we all knew AL Martin, but /
venture to say that none knew him to
be a deceiver. Therefore the matter
puzzled me until | wrote him. And he
answered. His side of the story cometh
next.
Yes, hewrote, l remember Bunkville,
and that night. ! arrived in the storm;
but instead of perSonating Alexis, the
fact is the villagers mistook me for
him. When l came into the village
from the delayed train there was
crowd at the depot, and as 1 passed
along heard several say: That's
him. But | was cold, and got into
the hotel as soon as could. There |
assaulted the register, and if with my
benumbed fingers l made out to write
something that looked like alexis" it
was no wonder. had a room given me
without delay by the landlord and had
Just got seated to await my supper
when my first annoyances began. A
voice at my window attracted my at
tention, and turning that way l found
two boys looking in. Naturally L pos
sessed myself of the opinion that was
in Dangerous place. The landlord
returned with the supper served on his
best and dustiest china, and accom-
panied by some of the most graceful
bows that had ever seen.
Landlord, ," said, there have been
two fellows at my windows looking in.
Do you allow your guests to have such
an indignity shown them?"
The man bowed and stammered:
"You-you see,-they-are so much
amazed, that is, you know they never
saw a-a-"
Never saw a gentleman, eh?'
"Yes'r, Yes'r."
swell, you tell them to keep away,
If it is curiosity that calls them there.
You may CO." He went, but soon
appeared again.
"Beg's Highnesses' pardon, he said,
--but Mr.. Edison Briggs, our first select
man, would like the-the honor of-of
seeing you."
And he gave place to a big gray
beard who appeared in his resr and
whom 1 took to be Mr.. Briggs. 1t
made me cross to be interrupted in this
way, but / was curious to know what
She man wanted, so swallowing a
spoonful of omelet l turned to meet
him.
al must ask you to excoos my in
froodin." this gentleman said, advanc-
ing and bowling.
HCertainly, SIR" 1 said. take a
seat"
.sAh, SIR" he said, but remained
standing, Il beg you 10 allow me, as
chairman of the selectmen of Bunk
xille, to welcome you among us"
ssWelcome me?" thought. ezra
eious! Did the town magnates always