Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-06-11
THE MANAGERS DOUBLE,

The greatest stroke of luck which
ever befell me in the course of my
eventful, and in some respects not I'M
brilliant, career, was my extraordinary
resemblance in face and figure to Mr..
Benson, manager of the Tinford branch
of the London and Tinford bank.
Tinford, as everybody knows, is one OF
the largest manufacturing towns in the
Midlands, and the branch Of the London
and Tinford bank in that place is one
of the largest branch banks in the king
dom. 1 therefore went down to have
q look at it, and see what could be done
In my way of business.
Travelling down in the Midland train,
] looked about me at my fellow-passen-
gers. All of them, except myself, were
reading, and so had ample opportuni-
ty for the study of human physiogno-
my, study in which particularly de-
light. Most of the faces in that car
rage were uninteresting and common
place, but there was one which riveted
my gaze and made me well-nigh leap
from my seat in amazement. The face
was the image of my own.
In this world we are told that each
man has somewhere his double. Mine
sat opposite to me now in the Midland
railway carriage. Taking a paper from
my pocket, at once began to read and
shade my face from my opposite neigh
boris view, for it is rule in our pro-
fession to keep other people from know
ing what we happen to know ourselves,
and, though I did not at the moment
guess that the resemblance Of this man
to myself was going to turn out of ire
mendous service to me, yet my habits
of care and prudence made me take the
course have indicated and protect my
visage from his gaze.
After some little time he made a re-
mark to the man seated beside him.
I then discovered that his voice was
also like mine, but this did not surprise
ME much, for persons with similar
countenances in nine cases out of ten
have similar voices.
The man to whom he spoke appeared
TO be in his confidence, for they talked
IN low, anxious tones together. Pres
emily I heard the word bank" men
toned, and priclied up my ears. They
were talking about the very bank to
which I myself was bound-the branch
of the London and Tinford, at Tinford.
Strange coincidence, thought.
At length the train drew up at our
destination, and the two passengers in
whom was interested alighted. I did
the same. Calling porter, 1 asked him
If he knew who my double" was.
"Yes, sir" he replied, that gents the
manager Of the branch of the Lunnon
bank in this ere town. Why, you're
wonderful like i'm yourself, SIR"
= I waited for no further comments
but, slipping sixpence into the mans
willing hand, hurried off. For a plar
of campaign was beginning to dawr
In my brain, and wanted to discus.
IL with Ted Marsden, my oldest pa
and one of the cutest men in our ranks
Ted was waiting for me at the lodg
ing he had taken in a small street neal
the river.
"IIalloa, mate" he cried when en-
tered; whats up? You look happy
Happy" echoed. Look here, Ted
I've just hit upon what may turn on
the most splendid bit of luck view
ever CHANGED upon, old pal" An
then 1 told him as briefly as possibl
of my meeting in the train with tn
manager of the bank who was as lik
TO me as one penny to another.
For moment he seemed astonishe
md then said slowly: well, supposin
there is this wonderful likeness be
tween you and him, how is it going I
help us?"
Ted" said, you are fool"
He moved uneasiiy.
''Chucll that" he cried, land come I
business. It's one thing to tell m
I'm fool and another to show me no,
this resemblance is going to bring u
business"
"You're not as cute as ! thought 20,