The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-02-05


There was something in the sub
stantial nature of the familiar bit of
pasteboard that brought back a little
OF my common sense, and relieved me
from the state of stupefaction into
which the phenomenon had driven me.
Come, this is very clever trick /
said. with a smile, which l 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?" | in
quired, with interest, when the actor
! paused.
He did exactly what ] should have
done, if stranger addressed me in the
same manner. He became angry, and
asked me what l meant, and whom |
called myself.
We'll, until to-day l have been in
the habit of calling myself Gilbert
Dane, of the Howard theater-' was
beginning, keeping as cool as 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.
l see that you have been initiating my
dress, too, which cannot help, but the
use of my name is another thing
ho1
first stopping place, as he spoke, and
ticket collector who knows me by
sight came to the door. My double
caught his eye first.
"T wish you would tell this gentle
man who l am he said, and the man
answered promptly:
Certainly, sir, you are Mr.. Dane, the
actor
"He looked startled when asked him
the same question.
CT should call you very good imi
tation,' he said, when he had recovered
from his surprise.
"This was becoming decidedly I'M
comfortable, and 1 began to wonder
how 1 could prove to anybody that
was not good imitation of myself. The
ticket collectors ready acceptance of
my double as the real Mr.. Dane showed
how helpless should be in an appeal
to anyone who did not know me well.
But felt that it would not do for two
Gilbert Danes to remain at large; the
question which one was to surrender
the title must be settled at once. 1t
struck me that the easiest way to do
IL would be to go together to the the
alter, and submit the question to the
company assembled for the rehearsal.
I suggested this course tony fac-simile,
and he surprised me by accepting it
readily.
I warn you that 1 shall detain you
when it is settled, and send for the po-
lice, he said, in my haughtiest voice.
"It was what I was intending to do
with him."
The actor paused to light another
cheroot.
"And did you both go back2" some
body asked.
Dane nodded.
"Yes, together. The third man left
us at Waterloo" he said. "You may not
believe it, but felt rather uneasy as
approached the stage door, and the fact
that I had no latchkey to open it for
myself seemed calamity. My double
calmly produced his, and marched me
into my own theater with the air of a
proprietor. Then he closed the door
behind him, and, changing his voice
and manner, suddenly turned quietly:
And now, Mr.. Dane. will puzzle you
no more, but apologize for giving you
so much trouble, which l hope you
will think repaid by the enjoyment of
unique sensation. The fact is that
am very anxious to go on the stage UNI
der your auspices, and thought that
this would be the best way to obtain an
Introduction to you, and at the same
time show you specimen of my act
ing in the part of your understudy.
You will admit at least that l under
stand the art of making up. Now are
you going to give me an engagement
or send for the police?'"
Sand you gave him the engagement,
suppose?" asked.
"Yes; 1 have always regretted that
he threw it up before the year was out,
and returned to his former profession,
that of medical man."
'It was he, of course, who called for
the latchley in the morning."
"Yes; he had been in the shop when
I ordered it, and the fact finally deter
mined him to carry out the affair. which
he had been bordering for some time"
'But he must have haunted you like
shadow beforehand" put in Maj. Dem
nett, "to learn all your gestures and
that. should hardly think the result
was worth the trouble"
Macpherson, who had been sitting
quietly in the background. surprised us
by replying for his friend.
Excuse me. major" he said, in his
usual quiet way, "but you make mis-
take there. Any man would have been
glad to give G 100 down for the engage
ment which Dane offered me straight
way. It cost me less than e10 for
rlothes, and about month of study;
and my time was not worth 600
month then, or l should not have
thought CT giving up medicine and TAX
ing up the stage."-Tit-Bits.