Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1907-03-21
My Literary Double.
lOriginal.]

IN one OF them a story signed by my
self At least the name was mine.
Then | remembered that there might
be others of my name, and | set about
was a better man with the pen than l.
| am not a versatile writer, and my
stories are all in the same vein. In
deed, | consider that one element Of
my success. When a reader takes
fancy to my work, he can get 1t again
and again, thus becoming more and
more attached to 1t. What was my
surprise to see in the story | read my
style, my method. my own personality.
| wondered as ] read OH If one OF my
stories that had come back TO me
when sent out at the beginning of my
career and finally shelved had not fall
en- into some ones hands who had dis.
honestly sold 1t. But finished ii with
out recognizing scene in II from be-
ginning TO end. 1t Is needless TO say
that was puzzled more than puzzled
I was seized with an uncanny feeling
that | had double somewhere in the
world who was interfering with my
identity.
On reaching America | went at once
to the office Of the magazine in which
| had seen the story and asked the ed
itor from whence 1t had come. He told
me that ii had been received by mail
Ia typewriter form, with my name at
tached. The manuscript was produced
There was my signature 1t was no
forgery. | knew the moment | looked
mt it that | had written it, | felt n
buzzing in my ears and came near
fainting
| was now sure that | was dual be
ing. My family insisted on my consult
ing specialist in nervous diseases, bst
knew that | was well and of sound
mind. | had never been ill in my life
except the once | have mentioned, and
then. far from using a typewriter, !
couldn't have used a pen. \ few days
after ms visit to the editor, who told
me that he had sent me check for the
story, it occurred to me to go to the
bank and learn If the money had been
drawn. 1t had not.
Here was further mystery. II my
double were writing stories, using our
common brains for the purpose, he at
least had separate bank account.
inquired for this account at every bank
in the city. but it was not TO be found.
| was destined soon to receive an.
other shock. One evening in calling for
n certain magazine my wife made eX-
cuscs for not producing it. and | knew
at once that my double had beea pub
fishing another story | insisted gu hav-
ing the magazine brought forth and
found my suspicious to be correct. 1t
contained story under my name, n
story had never before read.
Upon inquiry | found that it had
been received but q few weeks before
my return to America, and check
had been sent to my address for it.
The check had not been drawn.
] at once notified every magazine in
the country that il any stories of mine
were in their possession | would be
obliged If they would let me know of
the fact. Three magazines sent me
replies in the affirmative. Each had
story in my especial vein and duly
signed with pen by me, the signature
being genuine. Two of them had sent
checks. The third had not.
Since upon inquiry mt the p0stoffice
had learned that there were 10 let
tiers there for me, | concluded that my
double had received those containing
the checks. But why had he not drawn
the money? If he could use my brain
and sign my name to his creations he
could certainly mdorse q check no
titled the postmaster to hold any mail
for me at the Office bearing the official
stamp of the magazine that had not
sent me its check and to have any one
calling for n letter for me arrested,
Then | asked the editor OF the maya
zine in question TO mail me its check.
The letter was received mt the post
office ana held instead of being sent to
me by a postman. 1t was not called
for. \ month passed. and one morn
ing | received an envelope inclosing
all the checks that had been sent out
for these mysterious stories. But no
note, no word of explanation, came
with it,
| was greatly relieved. My double
was au individual and an honest one.
lie or !, one or both Of us, scorned to
take money that had not been fairly
earned. But had he or earned It? He
being honest should | be dishonest
aud draw the money for the checks?
one day | secured u note written in
a womau's hand The writer offered
10 explain the mystery OF my double If
| would guarantee not to prosecute her
for any Illegal act | sent reply inn
meaiatcly agreeing to her terms, and
the next morning the woman called on
me. at once recognized Tue nurse
who had attended me during my III.
ness.
she confessed that when under her
care | had insisted on debating To her
AMI that she had conceived the idea Of
selling the stories | dictated. She had
them typewriter and gave them 20 me
to sign. After my departure she sent
them out, but had no way Of drawing
the checks except 10y forgery. from
which she shrank.