Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1906-04-26
How a Statesman
Was Started
loriginai.l


We're opening Howard Lane, young
New Yorker left his room on Central
Park West and entering the park
strolletl along the Mall smoking
cigarette. Presently he looked mp AZ
man passing him and saw that he was
the very counterpart of himself. Each
stopped AND stared at the other.
You're myself. only better looking"
said Lane.
Permit me to return the compli-
mcnt."
You must be near blood relation
Of mine What is your nameT'
"Spencer-Ray mond Spencer. And
yours"
Howard Lane. Come; let us sit
down on one of the benches and conf
pare notes. don't remember any
Spencer connections
Nor any Lanes"
The two passed an hour together,
each now and again looking up at the
other in wonder. almost fancyng lie
had mirror before him. But, While
they We're Identical in face and figure.
!, they soon noticed that they were very
unlike in disposition. Lane was phlo-
sophical, analytical, critical. cynical
i. indeed, everything that ends in al
but he was-a man Of intellectual vigor.
Spencer was an optimist and very
shallow He was on his way from
San Francisco to Europe.
Il have an idea," said Lane.
How does it feel?'
"You are a stranger to me. bat you
are a gentleman. I'm going to take
you into my confidence. I'm in love-
4 Poor fellow. Is it more bother than
, having an dea?'
Il have been unsuccessful with the
lady She likes me. but says I'm too
dead and alive for lie companion.
"Why not turn her over to me-
That's inst what I'm thinking or.
I'd like to Try your effect Oh her.
A bargain was made. a.id when the
}, two left the park they went to Lanes
, rooms, where Spencer was put in TEN
porary possession of the owners ward
robe That evening Mr. Spencer ap-
reared at the residence of Miss Mar
garet Thorne and sent up Mr. Lanes
card Miss Thorne came down with Il
settled purpose. That purpose was to
give her lover his final quietus.
Il have been thinking over the mat
ter between us" she said, "and have
come to the conclusion that am
wrong in permitting you to hope. A
man who has reasoned himself into
the belief that life is but an empty
dream could not be happy with |
will never be yours
The man grasped the back of a chair
for support and brushed back his hair
dramatically.
"Too late. he exclaimed in the tone
of one for whom the bottom had drop
ped out of his life.
Have you cold?" asked Miss
Thorne, surprised. especially at tue
tone of his voice. which was deeper
than usual She was still more sur
prised when her lover rushed toward
her and, Selling her hand, poured
forth an impassiohed appeal.
Until our last meeting" he said, II
did not realize that you We're right and
l WAC NiOHSs Inv 10 hot "ii NhiPes
drealc, and you have made me see II.
Life ii real. life is earnest had re-
solved to throw off the depressing phi
losophy by which have been bewitch-
ed | had set q goal-under your in
determined to do or die. We
need our gentlemen in political affairs.
had resolved to enter upon career
which, beginning with the state legis-
lature might end in the White House.
But. alas, without you am powerlesS,
nerveless. | shall go abroad and sink
away into a degenerate globe trotter."
Miss Thorne looked at her lover in
establishment.
What has come over youT she
asked
''Your influence. 1t has had it's effect
at last And why not? 1t is the prod
uct of love. Spurred on by your APP
prevail | could conquer universe.
Do not cast me off / know am I'M
worthy of you: that | am not fit to
touch my lips to the fair hand I hold.
But spurred on by your love-"
He broke down. bowed his head and
moaned
"Mr. Lane Howard | cannot I'M
derstand this sudden change Do you
mean all you sayt'
Il swear it,
Looking up, he saw puzzled. ulde-
cided look on her face. Rising, he
clasped her in his arms. and, while she
turned away her face, she did not
struggle to be released in three min
utes-ten since he entered-she had
promised 10 be his wife.
The next morning the two counter
parts sat in Lanes room. Spencer was
| smoking; Lane was reading note
from Miss Thorne. 1t was to say that
a previous engagement prevented her
seeing him till the next evening II
cannot realize my happiness" she add
cd, lin the love of a man of your ahil-
ity inspired by that love for me- |
predict grNt career for you"
Spencer had enacted 70 his counter
/ part the scene fetwecu himself ana
Miss Thorne and Lane asked him to
enact il again and again Then Spen-