The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1903-09-18
The ManWho
Met Himself
BY EDGAR WELTON COOLEY.
Copyright. 1905. by Daily Story Pub. Col

~ ment, Archibald Demming found
amusement in staring at his dim refiec-
ton in the mirror at the further end.
There was no lamp in the bus, and the
only light that illumined the interior
was such as struggled through the
mist and the night from the shop
windows
While he sat idly gazing at this mir
ror, he suddenly noticed that, while
1t reflected perfectly his features, it
did not reflect any other object
His curiosity. aroused, Demming
leaned forward. the better to scruti-
nize it. Then he drew back, aston
ished.
He had moved-had moved at least
a foot, But his reflection in the glass
had remained perfectly stationary.
"Umph!" he exclaimed aloud
that's queer"
At the sound Of his voice. the side
view of himself il the mirror suddenly
changed to front view His eyes
seemed gazing directly at himself
There were the same deep-set eyes,
the same aquilne nose. the same
heavy mustache, the same prominent
jaws and square chin, the same care
FULLY parted hair, even to one stray
lock that hung down over his fore
head.
For full moment Demming enjoyed
the sensation of doubling his own san
ity. He was positive he had heard his
own voice; therefore, he must have
spoken. Yet he was not conscious of
having done so, and his thought had
certainly not beer upon the weather.
Then the bus swung under the bril-
Eantly lighted shed of the Grand Cen
tral station. He had thought himself
alone in the vehicle, but he now saw,
instead of second mirror. man sit
ting on the further end of the seat.
Demming stared at him in abject be-
Wllderment, for the mans apparel
his closely buttoned coat, his trousers,
his tie, his gloves his hat. his shoes.
even his valise-were exact duplicates
of his own,
Having finally managed to stumble
out, he stood IN the glare of an arc
hight and watched the Other Man
alight and mingle with the throng.
And slowly there crept through him
an lndistinct impression that he. him
self, was only his own spirit, and that
his Other Being was his mortal self.
He wondered if the soul of dead man
must not experience a like sensation.
IN case 1t is allowed to hover around
the mortal remains and witness the
grief of its living friends
However, once in the Pullman. on
the Denver limited, and Invested of hat.
gloves and storm coat, his fatigue con-
WINGED him that he was still in the
flesh, and seeking his berth, he was
soon in refreshing slumber.
When he awoke the first eray
streaks of morning were slowly bright
enlng the bluffs of the Mississippi val
ley
1t was, as yet, too early to arise. so
he lay, gazing out upon the flying
landscape and thinking of the woman
who was awaiting him in Denver; of
the wedding that was to be; of the
contemplated wedding tour: of the
coy home he had prepared for her
III Allt east
FINALLY the sun came up, shooting
its scarlet darts across the hills and
dispelling the mists upon the lowIands
Then he dressed and went forward
10 complete his toilet
When. after breakfast and a morn
ing smoke, he returned, he found one
half of his section occupied by his
fellow passenger Of the bus.
He did not experience any surprise
at this; nor did It occur to him as
being out of the ordinary. Yet. it an
noyed him.
He picked up n paper, but could not
read. He seemed to feel the others
eyes resting upon him. So he laid his
paper aside ana glanced, rather de-
family, at his fellow-traveler.
The other was looking directly at
him, and he saw the same features
that he had mistaken for his own re-
Election in the bus.
The face was aglow with amuse-
ment; the eyes twinkled; there was
the suggestion of smile upon the
face.
How far west?" Demming managed
to ask. finally.
Denver" the other replied.
DO you reside in Denver" he ven
tured, after pause
No, sir" the other replied, my
home is in Cleveland"
"Cleveland?" Demming faltered, be-
ginning to feel uncomfortable why,
| live in Cleveland, also"
'lndeed?" replied the other. smil-
ing. Then perhaps we will become
good friends"
Demming did not reply, and the two
gazed out of the windows at the green
bluffs rolling backward, like gigantic
waves. from the broad river.
Finally. the stranger, without remov-
ing his eyes from the landscape. re-
marked:
From Cleveland to Denver is rather
a long journey for one to take for the
sole purpose of committing matrimony
don't you Think"