The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-09
S0L0MAN HOLT, TWIN.

Memphis Commercial Appeal
S0L0MAN HOLT, TWIN
"i low that this slavin yer life ava,
on pra'ry claim is perty hard on ;
man of your years." said Doe Pitkin
removing his sheepskin gloves an'
warming his brawny hand over tin
fire.
'Jes So" replied Soloman Holt, care
fully brushing the dust from cheal
erayon portrait, which hung on the
cabin wall.
"Tain't goin ter be fer long, though
When git ter be guard"
"Ive heard tell as how you're goin
to git an office. Pm glad of it, Sol
you desarve it."
"Thank ye-thank We. 'Tain't mucl
Nv er oiiice-jes' guard up at ther PEN
tent'ary. I've already writ ter tn,
gov'nor."
"Perty sure of gettin' the ollicc, you
Think"
"Ain't no doubt about it. TVS pict
ure now"
"WhO is it," asked Doc, surveying
the crayon portrait, critically.
"That's Lige. Mebby ye didn'
know Lige."
mo"
NEARLY everybody knowed Lige
He knowed the gov'nor and the gov
nor knowed him. Tain't every man
that can have sed that Nv him."
THAT'S So"
"Lige war in the Legislature; he wal
one Nv pair NV twins.'
'sHe war?'
THAT'S a fact. I'm the other twin
"You don't say?"
"They did say We looked a power
alike. Would you take that to he mt
say, five years ago?''
swell, there's family resemblance
only the clothes"
THAT'S fact; / never thought Nv
the clothes. Lige always would spruce
up-had to do it yer know, being &
legislator. Vas, as war saying" Ligt
knowed most everybody, everybody
knowed him, an that's goin' ter helI
me i'm gittin' ter be guard"
mo doubt of it. Whar's your broth
er Lige now?"
"He amt nowhar-he's dead-biI
dead these five years. People come fel
miles ter go ter his funer'l. 1t war s
powerful blow ter the state when Lig'
died-he'd a been gov'nor for this
like as not"
Like as moi" repeated Doc Pitkin.
'sThere was no doubt in the mind o.
Solomon Holt that he would receive
the appointment which he had asked
and he set to work making prepare
tions to go to his post as soon as h'
should be called.
Squire Spluford, who was something
of local politician, was going to the
capital to attend the inaugural cere
monies of the newly-elected governor
and he had promised to present tht
claims of Solomon Holt for appoint
ment, and if possible to see the gov
ernor in person.
"I'll see that your claims are present
ed to the governor" said the squire
'and there isn't any doubt that yor
will get the appointment, that is, il
someone don't get in ahead of U.s."
"I've been in the state fer 81 year'
an that ort ter count for somethin' y
said solomon.
ayes, I've no doubt it will"
you'll be sure an tell the guv'noI
about it?'
"Yes.n
"An' about Lige?"
''0f course"
"He'll know Lige-least the othel
gov'nors did,"
YES"
An about the twin-tell him I'm
the twin brother of Lige."
"I'lI do that, and as soon as / Learn
about the appointment I'll let yol
KNOW
In due time the squire went TO th'
capital, where he expected to remain
for two weeks. After few days Solo
mon began 10 pay daily visits to Ben
toms store at the crossroads, where th'
post office was kept.
"Tm lookin' fer a letter Gom th'
squire" he explained. "He's goin' ter
let me know when / git the point
ment."
Solomon Holt was almost 65, and ag'
and the hardships of life were already
telling upon him. His frame was yer,
spare. and his thin hair was thicki,
streaked with white. He wore sui
of faded blue material that was thread
bare in many places, and he made !
grotesque appearance as he hobblet
across the wind swept prairie.
al must git some new clothes wheI
git ter be guard" he said, casting |
glance at the pile of cheap, ready-mad
clothing at the store.
His frequent visits to the store sool
became the source of comment among
the idlers that frequented the store an,
more than once Sol and his appoint
ment were made the butt of rud
jests. But of these he took no notice
The time would come, he felt sure
when he would he in position to ''pu
the joke back on 'em" as he expresse'
it.
Rt,t the DAVIS went hy without bring