The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-01-01
MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
The Serious Trouble a Bridegroor's
Double Caused Him.

Just ahead of me in a smoking car
on the Cincinnati Southern sat a young
man about twenty-six years of age,
with brown, curly hair, shoulders
slightly stopped, wearing light over
coat and dark felt hat.
was young man about twenty-six
years old, with brown, curly hair,
shoulders slightly stopped, wearing a
light overcoat and dark felt hat.
] noted with some interest these sew
eral points of coincidence, and finally,
in order to get a 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 my own
establishment was reflected in his face.
My double" he explained, pleas
antly, even to the hat and coat. You
almost frightened me. am John
Lloyd Evans, of Boston"
And l, as we shook hands, IAN
Parker NJ. Leonard, of New Orleans. Z"
so, " he laughed, ''if only our names
got mixed there would be atangle, eh?"
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. i 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.
Its pleasant to hear you talk about
it." he said, thoughtfully; Il wish
you all happiness"
He was silent for a few seconds, busy
with his thoughts. Then he asked, ab-
ruptly:
Don't you stay over in Cincinnati
until morning.
Yes, leaving at nine and reaching
there at eleven"
Il never liked Cincin natl" he re-
joined, but your dreams there to-
night will be pleasant enough"
Yes" I said; but don't you go on to
Cincinnati with me?'
No: my ticket is for Cincinnati but
! won't go that far. Leonard-or Mr..
Leonard-wiu you humor fancy of
mine?"
I'm reason" I assented, readily
What is it?"
Register tonight under my name.
Call yourself John Leyd Evans, of
Boston, and let me register as Parker
NJ. Leonard.
| thought he must be joking, but his
face was quite serious. 1t seemed a
silly request, but after some little hest
tatiou l consented. Five minutes later
left him to return TO the rear car in
which had left my valise and parcels
No" he had replied to my invita-
ton, i won't go back now. ! must
enjoy another cigar or two here. How
ever, will 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 l registered according
to promise as John Lloyd Evans, of Bos-
ton. For an hour or two | lounged
about the hotel, meeting no one with
whom | was acquainted, and was final
" upon the point of going to my room
and to sleep when l noticed a 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 a seconds conversation
about me, thought-they approached
me together.
Good evening" said one of them
What is your name, sir?''
Leonard" answered, thoughtless-
" and rather CURLY.
The shabby man laughed bolster
ously. nudging his companions.
That's good" he said; that's
clever But isn't your name John Lloyd
EvausP"
4 am registered by that name, I
had to admit.
"So-we want you, Mr.. John Lloyd
Evans We want you bad"
before L CpuId E'TQtSSb was manu-
cuffed. They started ont with me, one
on each side.
Come, come, =" said the shabby man.
You're too old bird 10 be taking on
like this. Come along quiet"
l pleaded and threatened, but 10 no
purpose A crowd of street ara os were
following at our heels, and people pass
ing by stopped TO look and smile
Il have been 4 fool" | protested.
frantically, but no more than that
1T was rather lame in you. said nv
shabby captor. but the smartest OF
you slip once or twice IN a lifetime"
was finally allowed TO order a
double carriage, so that all three Of US
might ride 70 the central police station.
IN this manner avoiding the publicity Of
being dragged along the sidewalk. 1T
the station ] was searched Il cas
, readily be understood that on we'd