Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-07-17
MY DOUBLE.

/ saw mine once, but only once; have
never seen him since, know not from
whence he came or where he went; all
can say is this l surely saw him, my serv-
ant saw and talked with him moreover
he saved my life and yet l am forced 70
believe he never really existed, for we
never found the least trace of him in
place where it was impossible he could
have escaped.
Now all this seems very extraordinary
to you, no doubt incomprehensible. Well,
/ am not surprised. have given it great
deal of thought, and yet l do not under
stand it In the least. It is as great mys-
terry to me as ever, but will tell you the
incident as it occurred:
It was in the winter of 1866, when was
student at the University of Leipsic.
At that time / was very intimate with
young Count Bremen. We were about
the same age, were in the same classes and
lived in the same street, the HerZogs-
strasse, one Of the oldest streets in that old
city, crooked, gloomy and remarkably mar
row. The houses we occupied were ex-
actly opposite each other. From the win
dows Of Count Brenner's apartment you
could look directly into my bedroom, and,
as have said, the street was so narrow we
could sit on the balconies Of an evening,
smoke our pipes and talk as quietly as il
we were in the same room, but as to the
matter Of that we were scarcely ever apart.
One day Count Bremen was suddenly
called to Bavaria to see an old uncle, his
only relative, who was very i'll. He de-
parted Immediately, saying it might be
some time before he could return.
was very much annoyed at the sudden
departure of my friend, it deranged all our
cherished habits, and that same evening,
not knowing what to do TO while away the
time, l made a visit to Counselor Kar-
deiffel, one Of my fathers old friends, who
lived in the other end Of the city.
But my visit was very disappointing. /
was vaguely dissatisfied, almost anxious,
could not tell why. felt drowsy and
stupid, and after losing several games of
cards l took leave of my host and retired
just as the antique clock in the hall struck
II.
1t was a very dark night, and had
scarcely made three steps in the street
when heard some one walking behind
me. At first paid no attention to this,
thinking 1t was some belated citizen re-
turning home like myself
But began to be very much annoyed
when perceived this unknown individual
followed the exact route as myself, turn
ing the same corners Of the street, crossing
the same squares, always preserving the
same distance between us, and regulating
his steps so perfectly with mine our feet
seemed to touch the ground at the same
moment.
At last. to see If was Intentionally fol-
lowed, | stopped. He did the same. Then
began 70 tlinl, he was not a common foot
pad, else he would have assaulted me long
ago, for the streets were black as night.
The public lighting in those days was very
meager, only few lamps placed here and
there at the foot Of some statue or at Ger
tain corners Of the streets.
continued to walk on, the unknown al
ways at my heels. This insistance gave
me good cause for uneasiness, particularly
as was unarmed and had no means of de-
tense except a small penknife
At last we arrived at the corner of the
Herzogstrasse where a lamp was dimly
burning. could stand it no longer, but
determined TO see my unknown friend. /
suddenly stopped, and bending down as II
to tie my shoe, was able to regard this
obstinate companion Of my walk.
cannot tell you my amazement, my ter
ror, when | recognized in this person
standing few steps behind me, as IL
quietly waiting for me to proceed, the ex-
him distinctly, and no mirror ever pro-
duced my image more truthfully, my
form, my face, my beard, my hair all iden-
tioally the same, and to complete the like
ness my double, or rather my other self,
wore the same cloak, hat and clothes ex-
actly like mine in color and appearance. I
was thunderstruck, while he, who had so
completely upset me, calmly looked on as
IL he found nothing abnormal in my ap-
pearance and was only waiting for me to
proceed.
Suddenly great fright possessed me. !
quickened my steps and hurried ON. !
would not even look back for fear it would
seem as II were fleeing from this man, ye,
! confess was very much startled.
As have already told you, the street
was very narrow, and as / took the side
where Count Bremen lived, the other, my
double, followed the side where my house
was situated. He seemed to hasten his
steps as he drew near my apartments, and
arrived before my door Just as / reached
the door OF my friend. He stopped; ]
stopped Was it the stupefaction of terror
and surpriseY know not. Ifound could
not utter a word, my lips refused to make
any prQtestation, any cry or call for help
as saw him TRANQUILITY draw key.from
his pocket, carefully introduce it into the
lock, open the door, enter and close it be
hind him without even looking back, a.
utterly oblivious of my presence as II / had
never existed.
/ stood there in gaping amazement, my
heart beating, my throat contracted, q
strange feeling, an extraordinary doubt
assailing me. Perhaps he was the real one
and the other He had entered my house
as naturally rs If he were at home, while
was left standing in the street Suddenly
a thought came TO my bewildered brain.
vigorously rang the bellof Count Brenner's
apartment
Hans. the old servant Of my friend
showed his frightened face at the grating
Iquickly said: Hans, have lost my key.
have fruitlessly rung peal after peal at
my door; my servant is either asleep OF