The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-04-19

| the gallant Captain sat down in corner
there TO digest his dinner in silence.
He had been sitting by himself some time
when suddenly it occurred to him that one
of the guests was gentleman he had met
before, a distinguished lawyer, Sergeant
O'Sherry. The learned sergeant had dlned
on the previous night at the mess, and his
conversation had been most clever ano
entertaining. Captain baltimore resolved
to renew the acquaintance.
He made his way over to the sergeant
and, holding out his hand, affably said
| II think we have met before, Sergeant
| O'Sherry."
| The sergeant rose quickly to his feet, and,
bowling very low, said: Il have that honor,
| sir"
Captain baltimore was surprised " d
pleased at the lawyers very deferentlal
manner.
After slight pause Sergeant O'Sherry
spoke again:
II was not aware. sir" lie said, 'that you
were of the company or l should have paid
my respects sooner"
80, l suppose answered Captain DALI
more, more surprised than ever, ''you were
like myself. l did not at first recognize
you"
''Ah! that" replied the sergeant smiling,
lis not strange That you should forget so
humble person as myself is not wonderful,
but that should forget you is"
''Really, l don't see it, said the Lancer.
''We only met once before"
eyes; but one in my position rarely for
gets meeting one in yours"
Sin mine?" repeated Captain baltimore,
II really don't understand you. My position
is in no way remarkable
swell, really, Mr.. Kilpatrick-"
"Kilpatrickr' repeated Captain DALI
more.
''Yes, SIR" said the sergeant, looking very
much surprised. Il understood was speak
ing to Mr.. Fitzpatrick, the Scotch gentleman
who is chief secretary to the Lord Lieuten-
ant"
''Well, really" said Captain baltimore
laughing, 81 assure you I'm no such exalted
person. I'm plain Captain baltimore, of the
S7th Lancers.'
''You don't mean itp' cried his lawyer,
amazed. sits wonderful-marvelous!
never saw such a striking resemblance! AS
like as two peas! Same eyes, nose, chin,
complexion, mustache, whiskers-especially
whiszers! Marvellous! amazing!
"Did you take me for Mr.. Kilpatrick?"
asked Captain baltimore. greatly amused.
'Take you for him. said Sergeant
O'Sherry vehemently. "Why, his own
mother would take you for himi 1 never
saw any thing like it before! l remember
meeting you, now. 1t was last night, at
mess. Strange that the resemblance didn't
strike me then! Perhaps it was the uniform
made the difference"
"Upon my word, you make me laugh"
said Captain baltimore.
''Well, let me tell you Captain" said the
sergeant, lowering his voice in an impress
sive way, sits no laughing matter.
wouldn't be in your shoes for something"
'Why?" asked Captain baltimore, open
ing his eyes in amazement.
"Whyl Don't you know?"
''Not L! I'm rather pleased than other
wise to find I'm like so dis tinguished a
man"
tAre you! Well, 1 suppose you're a SOL
dier and don't care, but I'm only civilian,
and for my part l wouldn't take ten thou
sand year and run the risk you do.'
'Run the risk 1 do? Really, sergeant, 1
do not comprehend"
"Don't comprehend Why, don't you
know that there are dozens of men about
Dublin looking out for chance of putting
happen if they made the same mistake as
did, and took you for him?'
"By George" exclaimed Captain DALI
more, thoroughly startled. Il never thought
of that"
perhaps you will soon have reason to do
So" said the sergeant, gravely. 'sIt's all
right for Fitzpatrick himself; he never goes
out unguarded-het takes good care of that;
but with you it's different You might get
bullet through you any day"
'Upon my word" said Captain baltimore,
seriously, ''that's quite true. Am really
very like him!"
'sVery like him. It's no name for it. You're
just himself over again. Of course you're
a soldier and a brave man, and so laugh at
danger; but if were in your shoes I'd pref
ty soon make change in my appearance"
''How could l do that!"
'How! Why, as easily as possible. Shave
off your mustache."
Captain baltimore thought moment, and
then shook his head. The sacrifice was too
great.
''Well, yes" said the sergeant, in reply to
the motion, ~ forgot you're military man,
and so wouldn't like to part with your mus
tache. Well, let US see. Why not shave
off your whiskers! That would be nearly
as good"
Captain baltimore writhed under the sug
gestion, but nevertheless he considered it.
''That wouldn't be quite so bad" he said
at length. ''But do you think it would be
enough?"
"Well, it's hard to say" answered the
lawyer; ''but I'm inclined to think it would.
You see, you wear your whiskers exactly
as Fitzpatrick does. They no doubt do much
to produce so striking resemblance. If
you took them off l dare say it would be
scarcely noticeable"
Captain baltimore and Sergeant O'Sherry
continued talking earnestly until the time
for departure arrived They left together,
when the lawyer showed how deep and sim
cere his concern was for the risk Captain
baltimore ran by insisting on accompanying
the officer home the whole way to the royal
barracks
"Even my presence" he said, twill add
something to your safety, and so feel it
my duty to go with you"
All night long Captain baltimore tossed
about, unable to sleep. He was tortured by
the prospect Of dreadful alternative. 1t
seemed as though he must either shave off
his beloved whiskers or go about for the rest
OF the regiments stay in Ireland with his
life in his hands. He thought the matter
over and over again, in hopes of discovering
some third course, but none appeared. The
position seemed to be: Your whislsers or
your lifel
One small hope did, indeed, still remain.
He might not be so very like Mr.. Fitzpatrick
as Sergeant O'Sherry thought. He, him.
sell. had never seen Mr.. Fitzpatrick, but he
had often seen his Photographic was in
every hop-window-and it never had struck