The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-07
THE WRONG MAN.


Just ahead OF me, in a smoking car as
we pulled out of Chicago, sat a young
man about twenty-six years OF age, with
brown, curly hair, shoulders slightly
stopped, wearing q light overcoat and
dark felt hat.
/ was young man about twenty-six
wears old, with brown, curly hair, shoul-
ders slightly stopped, wearing q light
overcoat and dark felt hat.
Inoted with some interest those several
points of coincidence, and finally, in
order to get a square look at the stran-
gers face, / passed him in going for
drink of water. twin brother could
not have resembled me more closely in
feature and expression. The likeness
was wonderful.
He looked mp suddenly and my own as
tonishment was reflected in his face.
"My double" he exclaimed pleasantly,
seven to the hat and coat. You almost
frightened me. ! am John Lloyd Evans,
OF BOSTON,"
"And l." as we shook hands, "am
Parker M. Leonard, of Chicago"
$50" he laughed, "if only our names
got mixed there would be tangle, eh?'
He had handed me his card, and this,
after glancing at 1t, put in my pocket.
The name was printed in old English
type on thick bevel and gilt edged white
cardboard.
We soon became quite confidential. He
told me that he was a stock broker and
man of leisure.
told him that / was senior bookkeeper
for a big Chicago packing hrm, that
had fallen in love three years before with
an Ohio young lady and was to marry her
next day.
ats pleasant to hear you talk about
it.~ he said, houghtfully; al wish you all
happiness"
He was silent for few seconds, busy
with his own thoughts. Then he asked
abruptly:
"Don't you stay over in Cincinnati
until morning?"
"Yes; leaving at o and reaching there
at H."
"Inever liked Cincinnati" he herejoined,
"but your dreams there to- night will be
pleasant enough"
"Yes," said, "but don't you 60 on to
| Cincinnati with met"
"No: nv ticket is for Cincinnati, but
won't 90 that far, Leonard-or Mr.. Leon
ard-will you humor a fancy OF mine"
ain reason" assented readily. "what
is itg'
"Register tonight under my name.
| Call yourself John Lloyd Evans, OF Bos-
ton, and let me register as Parker M.
Leonard"
Thought he must be joking, but his
face was quite serious. 1t seemed silly
| request, but after some little hesitation
consented.
| Five minutes later left him to return
| to the rear car in which i had left my
valise and parcels.
"No," he had replied to my invitation,
81 won't go back now. l must enjoy an
other cigar or two here. However lwiii
see you again presently"
He didn't though. Just before the
train reached Cincinnati went forward
to look for him, but my double had dis
appeared.
In Cincinnati registered according to
promise as John Lloyd Evans, Boston.
For an hour or two I lounged about
the hotel, meeting no one with whom l
was acquainted, and was finally upon the
point Of going to my room and to sleep
when noticed a shabbily dressed man at
the clerks desk staring at me.
Just then another man joined the one
at the counter and both stared at me.
After a seconds conversation-aboutm me,
Ithought-they approached me together.
"Good evening"" said one OF them.
"W hat is your name, sir?"
"Leonard," l answered, thoughtlessly
and rather curtly.
The shabby man laughed boisterously,
nudging his companion.
"That's good" he said, "that's clever.
But isn't your name John Lloyd Evans?'
clam registered by that name," had
to admit.
"so-we want you, Mr.. John Lloyd
Evans. We want you bad"
Before 1 could protest was handcuffed.
They started out with me, one on each
side.
"Come, come" said the shabby man,
"you're too old bird TO be taking on like
this. Come along quiet"
pleaded and threatened, but to nc
purpose. A crowd OF street arabs were
following at our heels and people passing
by stopped to look and smile.
81 have been fool" protested fran
tically, "but no more than that"
"It was rather lame In you," said my
shabby captor, " but the smartest oil you
slip once or twice in lifetime"
was finally allowed TO order n double
carriage so that all three OF US might ride
TO the central police station, in this man
ner avoiding the humiliation OF being
dragged along the sidewalk.
At the station was searched. IL car
readily be understood that on a wedding
trip had carried no business letters ol
other papers OF identification. The onl!
name in my pockets was on that care
which Swans had given me.
In this card my two captors and th'
several other detectives present ap
peared particularly interested.
Z" The same to a 4, said my shabby ac
auaintance. "Get the telegram aud lot'
| see"
The telegram was from the chief OF po
lice OF Philadelphia:
Arrest Link Murphy, alias Stool
Meadows, confidence man, forger, sat
expert and murderer. One thousan'
dollars reward. lie Is twenty-eig h
years old, brown curly hair and stoop
slightly. lie was in Chicago two day
ago, but believed TO have left there fo
Cincinnati to-day. Just before he lef
here Monday night called at job printing