Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-22

me. He is not quite right at times, a
little Eighty, perhaps, but you won't
mind that
l saw that he was thoroughly in car
nest, and to please him l said that
would go in and see Ben.
As we stepped upon the broad piazza
my friend hesitated. Just a word,
please, before we go in. Ben is very
sensitive about his-his-troubles. He
is Just my age; we are twins, in fact,
and physically he is perfect-yes, per-
fect-but there is something wrong
with his head. lie is all right on some
things, you know; but he has some
queer fancies, poor fellow"
The tears came into his eyes and he
cleared his throat with little cough as
he opened the door and ushered me into
a broad, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS hall. He
led the way from this into a cheerful
sitting-room and excused himself for a
moment.
While he was gone looked about the
room. There were quaint chairs, an
odd stand or two, a rosewood cabinet
and an old-fashioned piano with moth
er-of-pearl keys; on the walls were a
few portraits in oil and some good en-
cravings of an old style.
The thing that struck me most, how
ever, was tall pier-glass let into the
wall between two windows. From the
bottom of this, up 20 within a few
inches of the top, it was painted over
with thick coating of dark paint, and
this was ornamented by a landscape
stiffiy painted in rather crude colors.
! There was another and smaller mirror
in the frame of the clock, and this had
been treated in a similar manner, little
CLEANS of bright showing here and
there through the dark paint.
/ reasoned that the surface of the
| quicksilver had been married either by
| time or by dampness and that this paint
had been put on to cover up these de-
fects, and as I was gazing at the ugly
landscape the old gentleman returned,
bringing his wife and daughter, to whom
he introduced me.
Both ladies had lovely and refined
faces which differed but little from each
other. Time had marked the lines
| deeper upon that of the elder woman,
and her hair was white, but both wore
the same sad, anxious expression, as
though some great sorrow was hanging
over them.
Mother, 1 have brought my young
friend in to see Ben," said the old man,
and 1 noticed that a meaning glance
passed from the ladies as the elder one
replied in a pleading voice: Father,
Ben isn't so well to-day. Hadn't you
better wait till some other time?" ..No
no, mother; Ben's all right. All he
needs is little cheerful company" "
With these words my friend left the
room, motioning me to follow him..
We went across the hall to small
room furnished very simply. There
were some cases of books, leather
lounge, and a couple of arm-chairs
drawn up before large mirror.
Walking proudly to the mirror which
reflected his erect form and handsome
face the old man introduced me tc
Brother Ben"
OF course understood it all in 6
moment, the painted loolling-glasses
the sad-faced women, and their reluct
|
upon their sorrow.
1t was complete surprise to me, fol
I had never suspected the least thing
wrong with my friend, and had be
lieved in his brother Ben without {;
shadow OF doubt Luckily the ladies
entered then, ard by thnA tact relieved
me from my cEIbarra
The old man told me how much h
and Ben enjoyed each others society
and he conplimented Ben upon his az
pearancc. You are locking well, Ben
old boy, and am pleased to see you il
such good spirits to-day"
Soon the daughter suggested that Be
might be tired, and took the hint an
made my adieux. As l bowed mysel
out the younger lady said: I'VE see nc
body now, you know, but father enjoy
your company, and if you would sto
in to see him sometimes you would b
doing US great favor" and l promise
that l would come.
went quite often and nearly alway
was taken to see Brother Ben, becaus
he had taken such a liking to me, tn
old man said.
l learned from the ladies that Be
had been drowned when he was boz
but of late the hallucination that b
was living and was insane had bee
| fixed in his brothers mind.
One day my friend told me that b
was worried about Ben. He seems
be failing a little" said he. Il fame
that his mind is less clear than it wa
have noticed when talking with hi
he loses the thread of the cOnversatio
oftener than formerly"
He was right. Brother Ben" W;
falling. 1t was pathetic to hear the o.
man say: "Ben, my boy, you are a trit
pale to-day" or: You should tax
better care of yourself, brother; yc
think too much and sleep too little"
had a private interview with Il
ladies one day, and we decided thi
Ben" would be better for little tr1
away-so the mirror was removed al
we told the old man that his broth'
had gone for change of air. But
worried about Ben and missed him
that we had the mirror hung again al
= told him that Ben had come back.
He was overjoyed; he fastened to Il
g mirror. Ben, dear old Ben, / ha'
missed you so. am SO glad that u
came back" he said brokenly, pattiI