Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-10-18
KISSED THE BRIDE.

for giving us those names. We are alike, and always have been. When we were boys, mother had a great fancy for similarity in our dress. A patch on one knee meant q similar patch on the other boys knee The stOrekeeper never tried to sell her samples of goods unless the remnant contained enough for two pairs of pants or two coats Hence none but our parents knew us apart. Zeke had a large wart upon his left hand, while l had none. He had often tried to remove 1t, for people were ever on the lookout for that wart But it was not to be got rid of so easily.
 We were very fond of each other. am sure up to the time of our manhood one never did nor could do anything without the other one at his heels. But when we were 21 Zeke did something which left me entirely ill the cold. l have never quite forgiven him yet. He fell in love. And, whereas before 1 was never too near, 1 was now altogether too near and one too many. It was very bitter to me-tO be put i'll secondary place, and so I told him.
 ''Go and do likewise, '' was all he said
 
 felt inclined to give him something to somehow I loved him too much to 1 bother him, and so we logged along for year.
 We used in those days to have sing ing and spelling schools, and it was at those places that we young people pair ed of for the walk home. One night l oE l,n boys after Zcke and Nellie had gone home, so had good chance to observe them just ahead of me as nearcd them on my way home The moon was bright and the SHOW white, and-well, Zeke stopped over to look inside that hood so many times or to do something else that 1 made up my mind the wedding must be very near at hand. l thought Zeke ought tO take me into his confi- dence ill this matter as well as in all others l thlEk so still. I would never have been half mad at him if he had. But he and father would stand out and view that south 10 acre lot and pace of the plot for the house and one for the barn, and if l ncarcd them they would begin to talk about fcrtilizing it for next years corn crop. Had I been little lad of 10 I would never have cared but Zckc's twin and treated like q stranger! 1 could not guess the cause of l Cke's actions.
 But i'll later years, when found q lit tie lass just to my eye, and when other fellows looked on her, felt rather self ish, and-well, ''stingy" too. I know | now, because l looked like Zeke and talked like Zckc and behaved like Zeke. He, Zckiel Dune, was afraid Nellie Lambart would swap twins. But then l was only angry. As I said, l knew the wedding could not be many moons away. In those days "belling'' was the fashion Woe unto each newly married couple if they did not appear at tho door during the scrcnade and stand treat fol the crowd l mentioned in half anger to my best friend next to Zeke one night at the singing school that I supposed Zeke would soon quit such places oi amusement and settle down by his OWL fireside- Of course they wanted to find out when the affair would take place. confessed ignorance.
 The following plan was matured But l will relate the results instead ot the plan. only will say first if ZekG had used me like twin brother ought would have been better too. 1 feel hal ashamed of myself now as 1 sit gray headed and grandfather. To be sure laugh over the joke yet, but it Wa rather hard on Nelly and your humbl, servant too
 [ was to fiDd the secret plans iron . Nell herself And did. We were a singing school, Zeke and l, and, accord ing to our custom, dressed just alike. had seen Zcke get through the ceremo ny so often knew just how So whil one of the other boys kept Zeke at tn schoolhousc took Nelly under my wini and escorted her home. Zeke was lit tie anxious to be gone, they said, bu Bob said the girls were waiting ill tn , entry (so they were, most of themb an' he was anxious to lay the plans for grand sing and exhibition in the nea = future, so kept Zeke all right.
 But to return to Nell and myself. l was wicked, to be sure, but took he little hand ill mine and pressed it as , knew Zeke did and walked on silently
 There's Dave and Jen behind us, whispered at length, "so we'll tall low
 'Yes." " she replied I hardly kney what to say next, yet half the distanc was travelled. and was listening fo a Zeke's stride behind us.
 c What makes you go so fast, Zeke, d she whispered Ut will be over to soon.
 ''To keep them behind us, " replied
 Let them pass" and she stoppe still, and Dave and Jen laughed gayl :. as they went on.
 ''I want to ask you, Zeke, if we ha, not better have breakfast at instea of :, for the hour is rather early, an "A I am afraid Cousin Helen won't gs 1t over in time. " she whispered still M heart went clap-a-te-clap, for here wa the nugget of gold coming unasked.
 Perhaps" I whispered back. "Ol Nell, how can I wait for the day?'
 "Pshaw, you silly boyr' And the she prattled on about the linen ht ], grandma was making for her and hs dress that was quite done, but no exao time had she yet mentioned And to think, I don't believe an one outside of my own family mistrus one word She looked up in my fac
 "No, nor in mine" I smiled bacl 3. But they will before long" venture = as unlatched her gate, hoping again hope she would give me what I W; '' after, and she sweetly put up her liI and said, Just one more day, my Z' kiel" How could I kiss that swe' mouth: would have given my gra colt just then to have been Zeke and | me I had not bargained for kiss; bu - then, was she not as good as a siste So kissed her and held her in my arm [ amoment and whispered Good night