The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-08-23
THE TWINS.

Il ILL Il w A4NOe
John and James were twins. They were
alike as two peas and that fact led to many
complications during their infancy and
later on as they grew up to manhood.
They got mixed at their birth, and II was
never settled which saw the light Of day
first, question which caused many hot
disputes between the twins, for each claim
ed seniority over the other of about live
minutes.
While still in the cradle they were nam
ed John and James, and their mother
marked them with ribbons-John with n
red and James with blue. Their child
hood was marked by the usual experiences
of children, and they passed successfully
through whooping cough, measles and all
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 colored ribbons by which to dis
tinguish them, and so 1t happened that
they got the uicknames of Red Jack and
Blue Jim.
Both were full of pranks and kept theii
teacher In a constant worry. II Jack die
something for which he expected repri
Jim, and the teacher could not tell which
one TO punish.
They would frequently go home will
the wrong ribbons on, and their mother
would not know which one she was nd
dressing.
AT l6 the twins were sent to college In {;
distant state, where their wonderful re
ssmblance led to much snurt among tn
college boys and held the faculty at II grea;
disadvantage.
Both boys were athletic and Joined thu
cricket, baseball and hont clubs. The,
were popular and soon made many friend
and managed 10 fall in love with sisters.
Jack g sweetheart was named Mary AM
,Jims Jennie, and each girl presented hel
lover with n ring as mark of recognition
But the fun loving spirits Of the twiny
led them TO play jokes even on'tbeir sweet
hearts, and the rings and ribbons were of
ten transferred, and while Jack called
upon Jennie Jim would be visiting with
Mary.
"Jack," said Mary on one of these oc.
casions when she WAS entertaining Jim I'm
awares, father says when we get mar
ried he will set you up in business"
"That is very good OF him, said Jim
"but don't intend to marry you"
"Whats" said Mary,
81 said that | did not intend to marry
you. This thing has got to stop. Pm tired
of 1t, " and rising he departed, leaving the
poor girl in tears.
At the same time Jim was discurdinl
Mary, Jack was with Jennie.
"1in, said Jennie "when are you and
to be married."
"Never," replied Jack
g..
Jennie
"Yes, it L." replied Jack. "Thls thing
has gono far enough. I'm tired Of 1t.
Jack then took his departure, leaving
behind him another diseonsolate girl.
Neither one said word to the othel
about what had TRANSFERRED and the mex
day, when the twins were out walking
wearing their proper colors, they met Ma
ry and Jennie. The boys stopped TO hav,
q chat, hut the two girls passed them by
without look.
What is the matter nowH' asked Jack
81 don't know, replied Jim, but some
thing serious must have happened
Say, h. continued, "what did you sa,
to Jennie yesterday"
"Oh, nothing, lack replied, "only tol'
her ] was tired df her and refused to mar
ry."
"And you told hsr that2"
al did. "
"Well, I'll he hangedl' suid Jim. I"
told Mary the same thing"
"That settles il Z" said Jack: "we'ye 20
TO square ourselves somehow.
In the evening they called on the girl
and We're met in a very friRid manner, bn
explanations followed, and happiness 500
reigned supreme, w..
One day Jack was called before pro
fessor for violating ons of the rules of til
college
"1hat must he Jim" thought he $50
! have done nothing out Of the way"
"However,' he continued, en- jus
keep still and see what comes of 1t. ~
He soon found out that tiresome tas
had been laid out for him, which woul
keep him up half the night.
But Jack did not intend to suffer muc
for Inns fault, and the next morning Ii
asked Jim To change ribbons with him.
Jim CHANGED Ia appear before he pre-
fessor who had set the task the day bofor
and of course was taken nnawares II
knew nothing ab"at the Aatter exceptin
that he was the guilty one, and the duubl
task put upon him made him pay prett
well for his Shortcomings.
One day TIE twins got badly mixed II
as 10 their identity =.==..
Are you jack asked the other on
day, ''or nm Il"
"lll be hanged If | can tell, - reptile
the other; we have been changing :
much of late that | don't know who
am ~
When they graduated, neither one coul
tell II he got the right diploma or not, All
when they went home they were so hndl
mixed in their minds TINT they were hop,
lossly lost.
As they had grown mp together they d'
cidsd to 90 mo partnership in business
and soon after They married their old tin
swrethearss, Mary and Jennie, and b.
came happy and prosperous business nlel
hut they still are in doubt rs to the
identity, and Mary does not know III
what she is married TO Jim, while .Jenn
is sometimes positive that she marie
Jack.-Peck's Sun.