The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-01-05
MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
The Serious Trouble a Bridegroom's
Double Caused Him.

Just ahead of me in a smoking cal
on the Cincinnati Southern sat young
man about twenty-six years of age
with brown, curly hair, shoulders
slightly stopped, wearing light over
coat and dark felt hat.
was a young man about twenty-six
years old, with brown, curly hair,
shoulders slightly stopped, wearing a
light overcoat and a dark felt hat.
noted with some interest these sew
eral points of coincidence, and finally,
In order to get square look at the
strangers face, passed him in going
for drink of water. A twin brother
could not have resem bled me more
closely in feature and expression. The
likeness was wonderful
He looked up suddenly and nv own
establishment was reflected in his face.
my double" he explained, pleas
antly, "even to the hat and coat. You
almost frightened me. l am John
Lloyd Evans, of Boston"
And /, F" as we shook hands, lam
Parker M. Leonard, of New Orleans"
80" he laughed, ''if only our names
got mixed there would be a tangle, ehp''
He had handed me his card, and this,
after glancing at it, 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 stock broker
and man of leisure. l told him that |
was senior bookkeeper for New Or
leans cotton firm, that had fallen in
love three years before with an Ohio
young lady and was to marry her next
day.
'It's pleasant to hear you talk about
it." he said, thoughtfully; II wish
You all happiness"
He was silent for a few seconds, busy
with his thoughts. Then he asked, alb
ruptly:
Don't you stay over in Cincinnati
until morning?'
"Yes, leaving at nine and reaching
there at eleven"
II never liked Cincin natl" he re.
Joined, '"but your dreams there to.
night will be pleasant enough"
Yes" said; but don't you go on to
Cincinnati with me?'
mo; my ticket is for Cincinnati, but
won't go that far. Leonard-or Mr..
Leonard-will you humor fancy OF
mine?'
"In reason" / assented, readily.
.'What is it?'
Register tonight under my name.
Call yourself John Lloyd Evans, OF
Boston, and let me register as Parker
NJ. Leonard"
l thought he must be joking, but his
face was quite serious. 1t seemed a
silly request, but after some little hest
tation consented. Five minutes later
l left him to return to the rear car in
which had left my valise and parcels.
mo" he had replied to my invita-.
ton, u won't go back now. must
enjoy another cigar or two here. How
ever, win see you again presently"
He didn't, though. Just before the
train reached Cincinnati l went for
ward to look for him, but my double
had disappeared
In Cincinnati registered according
to promise as John Lloyd Evans, of Bos-
ton. For an hour or two l lounged
about the hotel meeting no one with
whom was acquainted, and was final.
ly upon the point of going to nay room
and To sleep when l noticed shah
bily-dressed man at the desk staring at
me. Just then another man joined the
one at the counter and both stared at
me. After seconds conversation
about me, thought-they approached
me together.
Good evening"" said one of them.
''What is your name, sir?'
Leonard" answered, thoughtless.
iy and rather CURLY.
The shabby man laughed bolster
Ously, nudging his companions.
"Thot's good" he said; that's
clever But isn't your name John Lloyd
Evans?"
II am registered by that name" /
had 70 admit
''So-we want you, Mr. John Lloyd
Evans We want you bad"