The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-24

Lawrence Jones, captain of the tramp
steamer Newcastle Maid, was his
brother. More than that, they were
twins, as like as two drops of water.
1t was kismet that Sir Lemuel should
rise to Chief Commissioner. while it
was Larry's own fault that he was
only captain of a freighter. But they
both enjoyed themselves. each after
his kind.
One morning in November the New
castle Maid glided up the Irawadi and
swung to mooringS just off the main
wharf at Rangoon. Larry had nos
seen his brother for years, and, for
the matter of that. did not care il
many more years passed before he
saw him. Their paths ran at right
angles. He was there for cargo
of rice. not to renew family ties.
1t was because the chief engineer of
the Newcastle Maid was man after
his own heart that he said before go
ing ashore: 81 don't want to get into
a gale here, for I've had letter from
the owners over that last break j
made in Calcutta: if 1 come off seas
over just lock me in the cabin and
don't let me out. No matter what ]
say, keep me there until I'm braced
up.
Then the captain went ashore.
He took a drive out through the
cantonments. AS he bowled along in
the old gharry new experience came
to him Gentlemen lifted their hats.
and ladies driving in their carriages
smiled and bowed i'll the most srac.-
Gus manner.
81 wonder if there's anything stick
ing to my face thought Larry, and
he passed his hand carefully over its
rounded surface; it seemed all right.
But still they kept it up-every-
body he met, and one officer, gallop-
ing by ON his pony, took a pull at the
animals head and shouted, Are You
coming to the club tonight, sir?"
mol" roared the captain; for he
hadn't the faintest idea of going to
a club without an invitation.
They'll be awfully disappointed.
came the echo of the officers voice
az the gharry opened up a gap be-
tween them.
Every kind" muttered Larry; "but
| fancy they'll get over it. Must have
taken me for somebody else"
The next minute Larry was busy
staring open-mouther at the image OF
himself sitting in a carriage just In
front The carriage was turning out
of compound, and blocked the road.
SO that his own driver was forced to
stop. He recognized the other man.
1t was Sir Lemuel his twin brother.
The recognition was mutual. The
Commissioner bowed quite coldly s;s
the captain called out How are you.
lemuel?"
Then the big Waller horses whipped
the carriage down the road at a slash
ing gait and Larry was alone.
so that's why they've been taking
off their hats to me-" he mused
"They take me for Sir Lemuel Great
time he must have ruling these yell
in his shoes just for a day, to see
how it feels to be King of Burmah-"
All the way back to the hotel he
was thinking about it. Arrived there.
he wrote a note addressed to the
Chief Commissioner and sent it off by
a native "That will bring him. he
muttered: che always was a bit afraid
Of me-
1t was six o'clock when Sir Lemuel
arrived in this carriage. There was
a great scurrying about OF servants.
and no end Of salaaming the Dat
Sahib'; for it was not often the ChieA
Commissioner honored the hotel With
his presence. He was shhown to Cap
tain Joness room.
''Take a seat, Lem" said Captain
Larry, cheerfully. II wanted to see
you, and thought you'd rather come
here than receive me at Government
House.
Lcmuel, in his most dignified manner;
al have to attend dinner at the
club tonight in honor of the return
of our Judicial Commissioner.
ooh. Sir Lemuel will be there in
time for that" chuckled the captain.
but first, Lem, for the sake of old
times, l want you to drink glass o.
wine with me. You know we took
a drink together pretty often the first
year of our existence" Then he
broke into a loud sailor laugh that ar
ritated the Commissioner.
'While / don't approve of drinking
to the extent YOU have carried it, SAID
Sir Lemuel. with judicial severity,
"still | can't refuse a glass proffered
by my brother"
.sYour twin brother broke in Lar
Nv: cot whom you've always been SO
fond, you know"
81 really must be going, so please
tell me why you've sent for me- But
when he had drunk the glass of wine,
he gave up all idea of going any
where but to sleep~-for 1t was
drugged.
Then Captain Larry stripped his
brother, peeled the august body or the
Commissioner as one would strip
willow, and draned him in his own
sailor outfit. you're groggy-iook-
ing captain" he said, as he tried to
you're a disgrace to the service.
You'll have your papers taken away,
first thing you know"
When he had arrayed himself in
the purple and fine linen Of the COM
missioner, he emptied the contents OF
the bottle of wine through the win
dow Then he went below and spoke
to the proprietor 1.-The captain up
stairs who had an important COM
munication to make to me, has be-
come suddenly most completely an
toxicated Never saw a man get
drunk so quickly in my life. Can you
have him sent off to his ship, so that
he won't get in disgrace? It's my ex-
press wish that this should be done.
as he has been of service to me-
"All right. sir" exclaimed the hotel
keeper, touching his forehead with
his forefinger in salute. Il will get
Captain DAWN. who is great friend
of his, to take him off right away"
Most considerable man. the Chief
Commissioner" remarked the boni-
face, as the carriage rolled away
The carriage swung in under
shed-like portico at the front of
Il; CT. I,,,,,r