The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-04-01
SOLOMON HOLT, TWIN.


II low that this slavin yer life away
on pra'ry claim is perty hard on man
Of your years" said Doc Pitkin, remov-
ing his sheepsldn gloves and warming
his brawny hands over the fire.
"Jes So" replied Solomon Holt, care-
fully brushing the dust from Q cheap
crayon portrait which hung on the
cabin wall. "'Tain't goin ter be fer
long, though. When git ter b
guard"
'Tve heard tell as how you're goin
to git an Office. I'm glad of it, Sol; you
desarve it."
Thank ye-thank ye. 'Taint much
nv er of1ce-jes' guard up at ther PEN
tent'ary. I've already writ ter the gov
nor"
"Perty sure Of gettin' the Office, you
think?"
saint no doubt about it. This pio-
ter, now"
"Who is it?" asked Doc, surveying the
crayon portrait, critically.
"That's Lige. Mebby ye didn't know
Ldge?"
"No"
"Nearly everybody knowed Lige. He
knowed the gov'nor an the gov'nor
knowed him. 'Tain't every man that
can have that sed Nv him."
"That's So"
"Lige war in the legislator; he war
one NV q pair NV twins"
HE WARP"
"That's q fact. I'm the other twin"
"You don't say!"
''They did say we looked power
alike. Would you take that to be me-
say, five years ago"
SWELL, there's family resemblance,
only the clothes"
"That's fact; never thought Nv the
clothes. Lige always would spruceup-
had ter do 1t, ye know, bein' a legislator.
Vas, as war sayin', Lige he knowed
most everybody, everybody knowed
him, an that's goin ter help me in git
tin ter be guard"
"No doubt of it. What's your brother
Lige now?"
= "He amt nowhar-he's dead-bin
dead these five years. People come fer
miles ter go to his funer'l. It war q
powerful blow ter the state when Lige
died-he'd "a been gov'nor fore this,
like as not"
'tLike as not" repeated Doc Pitkin.
There was no doubt in the mind Of
Solomon Holt that he would receive the
appointment which he had asked, and
he set to work making preparations to
60 to his post as soon as he should be
called.
Squire Spludford. who was something
Of q local politician, was going to the
capital to attend tho inaugural cere-
monies of the newly-elected governor,
and he had promised to present tho
claims of Solomon Holt for appoint
ment, and If possible to see the governor
in person.
r"I,l see that your claims are pre-
sented to the governor" said the
squire, land there isn't any doubt that
you will get the appointment, that il.
II some one don't get in ahead of u.s."
"Tve been in the state fer IS years,
an that ort ter count for somethin'," /"
said Solomon.
Eyes, I've no doubt it will"
''You'll be shore an tell the guv'nor
about it?"
eyes,"
SAN about Lige"
"Of course"
"Hell know Lge-least the other
gov'nors did"
Eyes"
"An' about the twin-tell him I'm the
twin brother Of Lige."
"I'll do that, and as soon as learn
about the appointment I'll let you
know"
In due time the squire went to the
capital, where he expected to remain fol-
two weeks. After few days Solomon
began to pay daily visits to Benton's
store at the crossroads, where the post
Office was kept.
"I'm loolin' fer letter from the
squire" he explained. "He's goin' ter
let me know when git the 'pointment-"
Solomon Holt was almost 65, and age
and the hardships Of life were already
telling upon him. His frame was very
spare, and his thin hair was thickly
streaked with white. He wore q suit Of
faded blue material that was thread
bare in many places, and he made q
grotesque appearance as he hobbled
across the wind-swept prairie.
II must git me some new clotheswher
git ter be guard" he said. casting {
glance at the pile Of cheap. ready-mad<
n clothing at the store.
His frequent visits to the store soor
became the source OF comment among
the idlers that frequented the store
rs and more than once Sol and his e1 pectei
appointment were made the butt,,frud<
jests. But Of these he took no lotioe
" Ths time would come. he felt sure. whea
he would be in position to "put tn
Joke back on 'em." ~ he expressed II.
But the days went by without bving
ipg any tidings from the squire. ~f1