Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-02-18
THE WRONG JACKSON

see mere, L fepllcu, lily Haiilt Il
not Jackson. was never in this tow
before. don't know Il soul in the
town"
"Well. by thunder" bluntly ex'
claimed the man when | finished
Look here, Jackson, what sort of q
game is this you are playing? Are you
ass enough to think year has
changed you so no one here would
know you? There's no occasion for any
skulking. Jim never made complaint
on the shooting"
And who is Jim|'
"Are you sane enough to sign your
name to Il receipt he asked after n
painful pause.
81 hope so"
"Then sign this one. / sold horse
for you for $50 and was to keep SO
of it as commission"
/ He opened a wallet and counted
down $125 and handed out receipt
for me to sign.
THAT money belongs to Mr. Jackson.
and of course can't take it," said.
The man turned pale as he picked up
the notes and walked out of the room.
He had made the discovery that / was
insane, and he probably feared would
become violent before he could make
his escape. He went downstairs and
reported his discovery. and half an
hour later when | descended to the
office l found myself an object of curl
osity. While there was humorous
side to the case, it was on the whole
very annoying and embarrassing.
When it was decided that | was charm
less" Il dozen or more persons adj
dressed me as Jackson. | selected -four
of the most intelligent, among whom
was lawyer, added the landlord and
asked them to conference in my
room. When we had reached there.
said:
Gentlemen, there seems to be some
thing very queer about all this | may
resemble man named Jackson, but 1t
is only resemblance
'Now, see here, Jackson" said the
landlord as he saw that | was losing
my temper, you are among friends
Some Of EN- think you're little off in
the top story, but | can't see any signs
of it. Come. now, tell us all about it,"
Il have nothing TO tell you, except
that you are mistaken. Did this Jack
son have any relatives here?'
They canvasscd the matter over and
decided that he had not Then | asked
where he boarded, and they gave Inc
the name of widow
VERY well, gentlemen" | said. Il
will go with you to the house of this !
widow, and We'll hear what she has TO |
say. She ought TO remember man
who boarded with her for two years"
1t was decided that the lawyer and |
| should go together, and felt certain /
that the woman would instantly solve I
the mystery. She had no sooner opened /
the door and caught sight of me than /
her face was covered with smiles, and |
she cried out
For the lands sake, but if here
isn't Mr.. Jackson, looking rs natural
rs an old shoe! Where on earth have
you been, and why didn't you write to
say | might expect your"
To say that | was amazed is draw
ng it mild. was knocked out and
sat down in sort of dream. While
was in this dazed state the lawyer
asked her if | had changed much and
f she would have known me in a
:rOwd and lot of other questions ill.,
ended to establish my identity beyond
| doubt. Then he took me by the arm
md walked me out. Not word was
aid until we reached my room, where
he men were waiting. Then he stated
hat the woman had positively idonti-
led me.
Gentlemen" | said, after observing
| look Of sympathy on each ones face.
1T may be possible that my name IS
Jackson, and that have been out d
ny mind for u year past. The more |
hink of 1t the more | believe Ina
Jackson. If everybody says I'm JACK
on, then | must be-"
"Of course you're Jackson ri;ln
replied the landlord.
"See herev suddenly shouted ny |
vas about to give up my identity. This
Jackson had a tailor hcreY
ooh, yes"
"And q shoemaker"
"Of course"
"Well, now let us go to the tailor
rst. He has my measure if I'm Jack {
on"
That's so. Come on"
AS we entered the shop the tailor
hook hands with me as Jackson. III.
wasn't ten minutes before had Won
ny case. He had scarcely put his tape
ne on my body before he said Il ms
IKE had been made. In no sin. L.
oint did | measure the same as Jac.;
)h, while his arms were three nc.,"'
nc longer. At the boOtmaker's h.
,ok an eight and | seven. with Il
Inference in other measurements.
When these things had been settled.
eople began to note other discrepan-
es, and In the course of twenty-four
ours everybody was ready to pro-
ounce 1t a marvellous coincidence. So
was, and It went beyond that While
was in town Lorenzo Jackson ~.
Irned. The resemblance could Lot
I'VE been closer had we been LorG
wins instead of In different years and