The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-07
Cbe bo1t1e Reading Circle
} THE ACTORS DOUBLE. :
ANNN~N~~N~~HNNCNA

dered whether there was actually a
man sitting and talking where 1 saw
and heard my fac simile; for the
third man, an ordinary, every day in
dividual, had not spoken a word to
him, and might, from his expression,
have been listening to his anecdote or
simply thinking. l was relieved when
ne laughed at the point when my
double as l began to call his compan-
ion, came to the Joke of the story;
but when he opened his mouth II was
only to increase the mystery of the
affair, for it showed me that my
double possessed my name, as well as
my voice, my dress, my face and fig
ura.
II began to wonder then, not wheth-
er the man at the window was a real
ity, but whether ! was reality myself,
and it really would not have surprised
me If I had looked IN a mirror at that
moment and found il reflected back a
face that was strange to me. 1t is
strange how quickly a single phenome-
non will sometimes change all ones
fixed opinions on the subject of the
supernatural l felt that / must speak
to the men, if only to prove whether
I was awake or dreaming, and l seized
the opportunity of introducing myself
offered by hearing my double called
by my name.
" Excuse me- said, addressing him,
but / heard your friend just now call
you MIR. Dane / wonder whether we
are related at all, for that happens
to be my name, and we seem to bear
striking similarity to one another"
My double turned and surveyed
me through his single eyeglass in ex-
actly the same manner as that with
which l should have surveyed a
stranger who addressed me in the
train
~ really do not know whether we
are related, he said, in the voice use
when l wish to be slightly patronizing
L am Gilbert Dane, of the Howard
theater,' ana he actually handed me
one of my own cards.
There was something in the substan-
tial nature of the familiar bit of paste
board that brought back little of my
common sense, and relieved me from
the state of stupefaction into which
the phenomenon had driven me.
Come, this is a very clever trick,
/ said with smile which, am afraid,
was rather feeble. You have certainly
succeeded in startling me. Now / should
like your own card. so that may know
whom to congratulate on a very clever
| performance
| "And what did the Mystery do?" |
inquired, with interest, when the actor
| paused.
He did exactly what 1 should have
| done If stranger addressed me in the
same manner. He became angry, and
| asked me what l meant, and whom l
| called myself.
| We'll, until today / have been in the
| habit of calling myself Gilbert Dane of
| the Howard Theater- l was begin
ming, keeping as cool as 1 could, when
my double interrupted me, in a tone
which / still recognized perfectly as my
| own.
| Well, you had better not do so any
more he said, sharply, 'or you will find
yourself in the hands of the police. see
that you have been initiating my dress,
too, which l cannot help, but the use OF
my name is another thing
I'VE had just reached VauXhall, our
first stopping place, as he spoke, and a
ticket collector, who knows me by sight
came to the door. My double caught
his eye first
Il wish you would tell this gentleman
who I am he said, and the man an
swered promptly.
Certainly, sir; you are Mr.. Dane
the actor
He looked startled when / asked the
same question.
" I should call you a very good imita
tion, he said, when he had recovered
from his surprise.
This was becoming decidedly uncom-
Portable, and / began to wonder how
could prove to anybody that l was MOI
a very good imitation of myself. The
ticket collectors ready acceptance o.
my double as the real Mr.. Dane
showed me how helpless 1 should be il
an appeal to any one who did not know
me well. But felt that it would not d.
for two Gilbert Danes to remain a
large. The question which one was t
surrender the title must be selected a
once. 1t struck me that the easies
way to do it would be to go together t
the theater and sumbit the question t,
the company assembled for the rehear
SAL l suggested this course to my fac
1 simile, and he surprised me by accept
ing it readily.
~ warn you that l shall detain yol
when it is settled, and send for the po
lice he said in my haughtiest voice.
1T was what l was intending to d.
with him."
The actor paused to light anothe
chereot.
And did you both go back?" some
body asked.
Dane nodded.
"Yes, together. The third man lef
us at Waterloo" he said. You ma,
not believe it, but l feel really uneas.
as l approached the stage door, am,
the fact that had no latch key to opel
1t for myself seemed a calamity. M,
double calmly produced his an
marched me into my own theatre wit
the air of proprietor. Then he close,
the door behind him, and changing hi
; voice and manner, suddenly turned to
ward me and said quietly. And now
Mr.. Dane, l will puzzle you no more
: but apologize for giving you so mucl
trouble, which / hope you will thin
repaid by the enjoyment of a uniqu
sensation. The fact is that / am yer
anxious to go on the stage under you
auspices, and thought that this woul
be the best way TO obtain an introduc
tion to you, and at the same time shoN
you a specimen Of my acting In tn
part of your understudy. You will ad
init at least that understand the ar
OF making up. Now, are you going
give me an engagement-or to send 70
the police?"
And you gave him an engagement
/ suppose?" l asked.
Yes; have always regretted that
threw 1t up before the year was up an
returned to his former profession, tina
of a medical man."
1T was he, of course, who called 70
the latchkey in the morning."