Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-04-05
HIS EXACT DUPLICATE.
1t Was All True, Every Word of it
BY FRANK H. srAuFFER.

! the evening with recitals OF our per-
sonal adventures, most Of which, as
may be inferred, were Of the Munchau-
sen order.
We were about to retire for the night
when some one suggested that we had
not heard from Gritty. lie was
travelling for a large New York job
bling house, and though sedate and Dig
nified looking, was such a companion
able fellow that it was not hard TO
become acquainted with him.
NV name. he began, as some OF you
know is Griffith Griffith. 1t is
queer. outlandish Welsh name, BUG as
il was not of my own choosing, there
is nothing for me to do but to put up
with it.
have often tried to account for the
infiiction, but none OF the reasons
we're satisfactory TO me except, per-
the possibility that l had been chris
tened by a parson who suffered.
|. however, abandoned that theory
about five years ago upon the astound-
ing discovery that another fellow mad
been lust as unfortunate,p recisely the
same old name having been allotted
to him.
The first intimation / received OF
the existence Of my double was just
after l had registered my name at a
hotel in New York city.
"Will you have the same room you
had Yesterday" asked the clerk
81 wasn't here yesterday" replied
with stare.
"Wen, am under the impression
that you were" he insistingly replied.
perhaps you are too impressiona-
BILE" retorted, slightly annoyed. Il
was never in New York before to-
day"
He turned a page of the register and
placed his finger upon an entry There'
indeed. was the name Griffith Griffith.
and it was so much like my own sig
nature that | found myself catching
my breath. -
TT is hardly likely" suggested the
clerk, that two gentlemen should be
be"
Handicapped with such a cogno-
men," supplied l, for he had hesitated.
THAT is your signature, isn't it, he
asked.
foundedly like it. Did he resemble
me?"
I'm every respect, sir
was the man sober when he wrote
that name?"
AS sober as you are"
well, am | sober?" l angrily de-
manded.
q should say you are"
"Oh, thank you" 1 rejoined. well,
| didn't write that name. never
stood at this desk before. This is my
first visit to New York. 1 got in just
one hour ago. Now, if you question
nv word as to this, by even the culver
of an eyelid, one of two things will
happen, and l cannot foretell just
which"
He saw that I was angry, and that
my physical proportions were sutil-
cient to bank on.
81 beg your pardon, sir" he quietly
said. II don't want to be taken away
in an ambulance" he added, with a
faint smile, but it is an odd complica-
ton. as you must admit, and l am a
trife bewildered."
while | am dumbfounded," I re-
Joined. my anger abating. This
other fellow-this double of mine-he
paid his bill, didn't he?"
20, yes"
well. that's to his credit, at least.
Yes. I'll take the same room he had.
"All right. sir. If l offended you,
am sorry. But it was natural for me
to become confused over the circum-
stance. There is a funny side to
yes" interrupted. It's funny all
over. There used to be topical song
about The Fellow What Looked Like
Me- didn't there?'
The clerk remembered that there
was. and recited a verse or two of it,
after which the bell boy showed me TO
my room.
The next occasion upon which | was
mistaken for my double was while on
a visit to New Orleans. While stroll
ing along a street l saw crowd about
an alderman's Office.
What is the NATTER" l asked of a
bystander.
"A woman up for shoplifting," was
the answer
Having plenty of time on my hands
I elbowed my way into the office. The
woman under arrest was creole,
Young and handsome, with a superb
figure. royal in bearing and fashion
able in attire.
81 will have to commit you" the
magistrate said, at the close Of the
hearing. THAT is, unless you can com
mand bail to the amount of $500. If
you have a friend"
But l haven't" interrupted She
Not here in New Orleans"
Just then her eyes rested upon me.
They were brilliant black eyes, and
grew more black and brilliant with
pleased surprise.
20. Griffyr she cried, tenderly
gushingly. How fortunate! You'll
go my bail, will you not?'
suddenly became hard OF hearing,
and gazed abstractedly at the fee bill
tackled against the wall.
"She means you, sir" the alderman
said. as he reached out and touched
my arm.
En- I calculated, putting on stu
pid look.
Can you qualify?" he asked.
(which" demaded |
Swear that you own unincumbered
real estate in this city in excess of
$50" explained the magistrate.
Il haven't any real estate here or
elsewhere l said. 81 have a farm in
Colorado. but l never saw it. There's
another fellows farm on top Of it
anyhow. he doesn't own any further
down than he can pillow. What do you
mean, judge?"
The lady wants you TO go her bail"
ba caid