The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-08-02
MY OTHER SELF
tOriginal.l

| TO see OneSelf In mirror, an eXac1
counterpart, the same hair, eyes, fea.
tures-this is nothing. We see it hun.
dred times day. But to see oneself
independent Of reflection, making diff.
ferent movements, going and coming,
sitting, standing. while we are still
this is terrible.
was standing one morning in my
Office on the tenth floor of skyscraper
looking out of a window. l remem-
Der that had my hands in my pockets.
Suddenly was startled to see another
me standing in window Of an oppo-
site building. The figure was up one
story higher. He had his hands in his
| pockets and wore glasses; l also wear
glasses. He had his beard trimmed to
point; so had 1. His nose was a trifle
bent to the left; so is mine. The only
thing that was different was the CLOTH
Ing.
My first emotion was surprise, my
second terror. l had been under treat
ment for nervous troubles, but this
was several months before. Were my
sufferings about to return under a new
form? Was this hallucination? Had
my brain become affected2 / shrank
back from the window and into
chair. My partner saw that something
had affected me and asked what it
was. | tried to speak, but could not
articulate, so pointed to the window
opposite.
what Is 1T" he asked, looking. 81
see nothing unusual"
Summoning all my fortitude, looked
again. The figure had disappeared.
explained nothing, but Immediately
went out. Calling a cab, directed the
driver to take ME to my physician. |
recounted what had occurred, and aft
er endeavoring to reassure me he gave
me quieting mixture and told me to
dx my mind on my business.
1t was some time before l dared 20
to the window again, but after going
there several times without seeing my
double l made up my mind that was
all right again and was beginning to
cease thinking Of the matter when one
day l walked to the window, and lust
as l reached 1t my double reached his
own window. Our eyes met. Both
started back, with wildly beating
heart, my counterpart with a look of |
surprise. hastily left the |
office and the next day was on a steam
er bound for Southampton. England.
l remained abroad two years. l
would not have returned even then had |
l not received notice from my attorney
that was needed in the settlement of
my fathers estate. had had trouble |
from the first, for my father and moth
er had separated when l was but a |
year old, and this naturally led to COM |
plications. l had remained with my ia
ther, who, l always understood, had |
what there was to bequeath. My at |
torney did not inform me as to the ma
ture Of this last complication, only in
that he needed my presence |
at once. sailed for New York and |
on arrival called at the office of Mr.. |
who had summoned me.
That there was something of impor-
lance on his mind was evident. He
looked me all over as II he had never
seen me before, then stood, still look
ing at me, without saying anything.
well, what is itT I asked Impatient
".
Did you ever hear that your mother
left property" he asked.
mo"
"Or that she had an interest in your
'ather's estate?"
mo. My mother died before my IA
her" {
There Is piece of property which r
We must sell before settling the estate.
t was owned Jointly by your father I
nd mother. At any rate, it needs the
ignature Of the heirs of BOTH"
VERY well. Am l not the heir of ,
,oth?"
Come here tomorrow morning at 0
o'clock. shall want your signature"
Explain"
Tomorrow at 0 O'clock" he repeated
Ind went into his private office.
At the appointed hour l was at Mr..
aazeltons Office and was told to wait
n an anteroom. Presently the door |
opened, and l was ushered into the
main room. At the same moment
ioor opposite me opened, and man
advanced into the room had entered.
Horror of horrors. he was my double!
We stood looking at each other like
he two Dromios. he in wonder. I In
error. II
"Oh, heavensw moaned. at has ,
'ome back to mew
Gentlemen" said Mr.. Hazelton. 81
iced the signature of both of you to a |
Iced. You are twin brothers"
Twin brothersv' we exclaimed In
breath.
Yes. When your father and mother
separated, your father took one. your
mother the other 1t was agreed be-
ween them that each child should be
,ept In ignorance of the other"
The relief-the finding of a brother
twin brother, of whose existence I
nd been in ignorance-was a delight
hat can only be understood by expert
nee. 1t did not require that we should
ave been brought up together to feel
hat strong mutual drawing always to
e found In children of a single birth.
We advanced emhro cod and criad 81