The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-01-21
HIS DOUBLE.
Little Rock (Ark.) Democrat.

"ls that Op1e ReadT" asked one cit- izen of another last night, as he pointed out tall, broad-shouldered man just turning the corner of Main and Mark ham streets by the German bank.
 "Yes, 1t is," was the reply. "I know him well," and the speaker hastened across the street to hail his friend.
 "Hello, Opie," when did you get back from Chicago? How's THE TRAVELLER, and-but say, what's the -how's this, don't you know me?"
 "No, l can't say that I do," replied the other, as a smile crossed his good natured, wholesome face, "but that doesn't make any difference. If you are friend of Opie Reads, why put it thar" and he reached forth brawny hand. "No, Pm not Opie Read, but Pm friend to him, and his friends are mine," and he warmly grasped the hand he had captured. 'I look like Read? We'll, 1 reckon I must look a little like him, sure enough. I've had his friends rushing up to me all day to grasp my honest hand, and if I was a drinking man could have been out side barrel of beer by this time-and all because 1 look like Opie Read"
 "Indeed you do look like him." in- terrupted the Little Rocker.
 "Why, once before when I was here," continued the stranger, "I was coming up from the Union depot in a street car, when a fellow got on and wanted to subscribe for THE TRAY ELER. told him my name was Bell, John H. Bell, of Nashville, Ark, and l didn't own THE TRAVELLER, but he laughed at me and called me the fun niest fellow in all these bottoms. You not Opie Read?' he said. wy don't l know ye? Stan up,' and I stood up. Just the height-just the right shoul- ders-same old sleepy, wicked smile a-stealin' out 'round the corners of your eyes and flickerin' down onto your face-oh, you ole 'possum! you cain't fool me. Got yer ha'r combed an put on a shirt an collar, an' thought wouldn't know ye! Here, take this, an send me the paper-Jeff Hodges, Hodges post office, Little River county and he showed two dol lars into my hand.
 "'Here, this won't do,' I cried, and 1 tried to hand him back the money. Pm not Opie Read-take your money back An injured, hurt look came over his face. Look here, Opie,' he said, don't fool with me this way. Don't know you2 Look at that foot, will you?' stuck out my foot and looked at it. Don't I know that foot-big 12 or small 13, one-which is it? Twelve? Of course, you'd say that-but that don't cut any figure. You keep that money and send me THE TRAVELLER. Goodbye, Opie- and the next time I meet you don't you try to fool me with billed shirt an white collar And I put the money in my pocket and shook hands with him.
 'I subscribed for THE TRAVELLER, and he never learned the difference. Yes, 1 do look like MT. Read-all the old. niggers in town have hollered Christmas gift ? at me and got all the loose change I had, and reckon a dozen tramp printers have insisted that should lend them a dollar till they could 'ketch on,' and only just now fellow asked me if I wouldn't please pay that little bill I ran up with him in the fall of '69. Last night was overwhelmed, though. I was walking up Main street, when a neatly dressed old lady ran up to me and seized me by the hand.
 ooh, MT. Read, MT. Read she | coid knh hoxu clo6 I o,,, oox,r x,o,, God bless you, MT. Read, how shall ever pay you for whats you've done for me? John has never drank drop since. He was my only son, sir-all had in the world, and God will re- ward you for what you've done; God will do it, sir, if l can't. It was an awful thing for John to do, and but for you, sir-oh, can't say what I want to. You must know what want to say-how I want to thank you. God bless you good bye good-bye,' and before I could say a word she kissed my hand-yes, sir, she kissed my 'hand," and he looked at his brawny, roughened palm.
 "She was gone before I recovered my self possession, and all that re- mained was bright drop which sparkled on the back of my hand like a jewel in the gas light.
 "Well, goodbye, my friend, Pve an engagement up the street. Pll see you again, and-well what do you want?" as man with an official look ing document in his hand touched his elbow. "What? you want me on the jury to try hog case! Why" I "We Point With Pride''
 To the "Good name at home," won by Hoods Sarsaparilla. In Lowell, Mass, l if su [ {.