The Washington times., 1901-11-24
MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
Odd Cases That Have Occurred to
WeII-Known People.

Mr.. A. ]. Balfour, leader of the House
of Commons. tells highly diyerting story
which illustrates the embarrassing situa-
tions that may arise through an identity
of names. Not many years ago he was
staying at a continental hotel when, to
his amazement, telegram was handed
to him announcing the birth of son and
the comforting intelligence that mother
and child were doing WELL"
The shock of such telegram 10 man
of such inveterate celibacy as the first
agined than described. He raeked his
brains in vain for a solution of the mys-
terry until, by an Inspiration, he remem-
bered that Mr.. J. B. Balfour was also
guest in the hotel and that he was a man
who had many arrows in his quiyer."
He sought out the lord advocate and
handed the telegram to him and awaited
results with anxiety. The member for
Clackmannan read the telegram, and his
face broadened into smile of pleasure as
he said: That's good news. Glad it's SO
well overt" The explanation, il appeared,
was that the telegram had been sent by
trusted servant of Mr.. ]. B. Balfour, who
had been instructed to wire to him when
lIt event CANT his udutSdkp
breathed again. but he will never forget
the disturbing influence of that telegram.
1t is seldom that a man is mistaken for
his father, especially a generation after
that father had ceased to exist This,
however, was the experience of Mr.. Henry
Fielding Dickens the weil-known K. c.,
who tells the story himself. A short time
ago he was introduced to young Arleri-
can lady. who seemed delighted to make
his acquaintance.
When the ice OF the introduction had
thawed a little she turned an admiring
glance on the X. C. and ssid I've read
ever so many of your books. and they're
just lovely. Say, are you writing any
more?" Mr.. Dickens, with a twinkle of
amusement, said that he hadn't anything
in hand Just then, but would not fail to
let ner know when he had. "And which of
my books do you like best?" he continued.
"Oh. the lady answered. Il guess there's
none OF them can touch David Copper
field" my father would have been glad
to hear that Mr. Dickens said as he
made way for a friend of the young lady
and left her happy in her ignorance.
This infusion of Identity recalls a
story told in connection with Earl Beau
champ, late Governor OF New South
WJies. which il not true deserves to be.
do you know anything about Lord Beau
champ" was asked of certain lady in
the colony before the young Governor
went out. "Beecham? Oh, yes the lady
answered; II have taken his pills for
years" ..sSsssSz :.
When the late Sir Arthur Sullivan was
travelling in the United States 1t was DIFF
ficult to persuade some people that he
was not the great ]. L. Sullivan, the
champion pugilist, and at that time the
idol OF America. At one station In Kansas
the whole township turned out to- man
when news came that Sullivan, would
De on board a certain train. In response
20 their shouts the great composer
stepped out onto the platform and receiv-
I'd an ovation such as even he had rarely
experienced.
Sir, said brawny giant, as he near
" wrung the little musicians hand off.
the eountrys proud of you. You're lit
-ler than We thought, but guess you can
lick creation
1t was only when the train had carried
him into safety and the cheers were dy-
ing away into the distance that Sir Ar
thur learned from the conductor that he
had been mistaken for his pugilistic
s4.-5.. s-.ss- -s,as-s
Joaquin Miller. the poet Of the Sierras
Tells an amusing story al. his own ex-
pense. He was Ieeturing in one of the |
States to crowded audience and thought |
ne had acquitted himself creditably As |
he was leaving the platform one of the |
audience aceosted him. .Sir,nrhe said. Il |
hank you for your lecture, which was full |
IF informa tion; but ! must confess I wa.; !
/ little, disappointed that you didn't work |
n few jokes. Why. sir, can't remem- |
'er the time when 10 Miller :. wasn't |
Known for his jokes
I'm rain." Mr.. Miller says. 81 tried to |
persuade him that 10 Miller of jocuIar |
anne died many generations ago. II indeed |
le ever existed. He thought was only |
making matters worse by playing off a |
'oor joke on him. and to this day / guess !
les an aggrieved man.
Mr.. Simms Reeve, the Recorder of Great 1
Yarmouth. has found his name a burden !
o him, for 1t was at least embarrassing /
4 an unmusicaI lawyer to be constantly \
mistaken for the chief Of tenors The two /
Winston Churchiiis have reason to bless !
ach other. when each is. so constantly
for the other The member for |
)ldham is weary of asserting that he |
lever wrote Richard Carvel." ard the |
It. Louis journalist and author finds the
tmost difficulty in convincing people that
e never even saw Boer. much less es-
aped from Pretoria. and that he has not |
ven read. much less written. '.Savrola.r
Tit Bits.