The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-04-02
THE TWINS.

John and James were twins. They WERE
alike as two pens, gud that fact led to many
complications during their infancy an,
later ON as they grew up to manhood.
They got mixed ut their birth, and it wa.
never settled which saw the light of day
first, question which caused many ho
disputes between the twins, for each claim
ed a seniority over the other of about iiv.
minutes.
While still in the cradle they were nam
ed John aud James, and their mother
marked them with ribhong-Juhn with 1
RCD and James with q blue. Their child
hood was marked 10y the usual experience
of children, and they passed successfully
through whooping cough, measles and nj
the other ills which infant flesh is heir to
When they reached the proper age, they
were sent to the district school, still wear
ing the colorod ribbons by which TO dis
tinguish them, and SO it happened that
they got the nicknames of Red Jack AM
Blue jim
Both were full of pranks and kept theil
teacher in constant worry. II Jack die
something for which he expected II repri
mand, he would exchange ribbons witt
Jim, aud the teacher could not tell which
one 20 punish.
They would frequently go home will
the wrong ribbGnR ON, and their mother
would not know which one she was ad
dressing.
At l6 the twins were sent to college in /
distant state, where their wonderful re
semblance led to much sport among til,
college boys and held the faculty at a gren
disadvantage.
Roth bCya Xynrn nj b1at in, 1nI i,ipa5 tl
cricket, baseball ana boat clubs. The
were popular and soon made many friend
and managed to fall in love with sisters.
Jack IS sweetheart was named Mary nm,
Jim's Jennie, and each girl presented he
lover with ring as Il mark Of recognition
But the fun loving spirits Of the twin
led them to play jokes even on their sweet
hearts, and the rings and ribbons were of
ten transferred, and while Jack cHlle,
upon Jennie Jim would be visiting will
Mary.
Jack said Mary on one of these oc
casions when she was entertaining Jim un
awares, "fathcr says when we get mar
ried he will set You up in business
THAT is very good of him, u said Jim
"but don't intend to marry you"
WHAT" said Mary
81 said that did not intend to mari.
you. This thing has got to stop. I'm tire
of it, =" and rising ho departed, leaving til
poor girl in tears
At the Same time Jim was discardin,
Mary, Jack was with Jennie.
Jim, said Jennie, "when are you an,
to be marriedY"
"Nevcr, " replied jack.
"Then is all over between us?' aAke
Jennie.
Eyes, II is" replied Jack. "This thin
has gone far enough. I'm tired of it. -
Jack then took his departure, lenviu
behind him another disconsolatc girl
Neither one said n word TO the othc
about what had transpired, and the nex
day, when the twins were out walking
wearing their proper colors, they met Mi
ry and Jennie. The boys stopped TO hay
a chat, but the two girls passed them b.
without look.
i What is the matter nowen asked Jack
- don know, replied Jim, ''but sonit
thing serious must have happened.
! SAY, he continued, what did you sa
j to Jennie yesterday
"Oh, nothing, j ok replied, "only t0l
her | was tired of her and refused to mar
ry."
"And you told her that"
81 did. :"
"Well, I'll be hangcdr' said jim. :,
told Mary the same thing"
That settles it, - said jack; "we've q,
to square ourselves somehow"
In the evening they called on the Cir
and were met in n very frigd manner. li
explanations followed, and happiness aUv
reigned supreme.
One day Jack was called before n prf
lessor for violating one of the rules Of IT,
college.
THAT must be Jim, Thought he, "fu
l have done nothing out of the way. u
| However" he continued, "IlI /
keep still and sec what comes of il. "
He soon found out that tircsome tn #
had been laid out for him, which wou
keep him up half the night.
/ But Jack did not intend to suffer niue
Tor Jim's fault, and the next morning Ii
asked Jim To change ribbons with him.
Jim CHANGED to appear before the pr,
| lessor who had set the task the day befor
J and of course was taken unawares II
/ knew nothing about the aatter, cxccptin
! that he was the guilty ore, aud the douhl
task put UpDn him made him pay prett
! well for his shortcomings,
One day the twins got badly mixed u
as to their identity.
Are you Jackiu asked the other on
day, "or am Ifp
IN be hanged If l can tel, +" reptile
the other; 1--WE have been changing 5
much OF late that l don't know who
am.
When they graduated, neither one coul
tell II he got the right diploma or not, an
j when they went home they were so bad
mixed in their minds that they were hope
| lessly lost.
/ As they had grown up together they de
oided to go into partnership in business
and soon after they married their old tim
sweethoarts, Mary and Jennie, and be
came happy and prosperous business men
But they still are in doubt as to thei
identity, and Mary does not know Blu
what she is married to Jim, while Jenni
Ia Home tirnea rnsitiva that L.