The Palatka news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1907-04-26
My Literary Double.
[Orlglnal.l


[original.l
1 am a short story writer. After a
long illness 1 was ordered abroad for
change and while on my return trip
in London bought some American mag
azines. What was my surprise to find
in one of them a story signed by my
self. At least the name was mine.
Then 1 remembered that there might
be others of my name, and / set about
perusing the story to see if the author
was better man with the pen than /.
am not versatile writer, and my
stories are all in the same vein. In
deed, consider that one element Of
fancy to my work, he can get it again
ald again, thus becoming more and
more attached to it. What was my
surprise to see in the story l read my
style, my method, my own personality.
1 wondered as l read on 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 it with
out recognizing scene in it from be-
ginning to end. 1t is needless to say
that l was puzzled-more than puzzled.
l was seized with an uncanny feeling
that / had double somewhere in the
world who was interfering with my
identity.
On reaching America 1 went at once
to the Office of the magazine in which
1 had seen the story and asked the ed
itor from whence it had come. He told
me that it had been received by mail,
in typewriter form, with my name at
tached. The manuscript was produced.
There was my signature. 1t was no
forgery. 1 knew the moment looked
at it that l had written it. felt a
buzzing in my ears and came near
fainting.
was now sure that was a dual be-
ing. My family insisted on my consult
ing specialist in nervous diseases, but
l knew that / was well and Of sound
mind. l had never been i'll in my life
except the once have mentioned, and
then, far from using a typewriter, l
couldn't have used pen. A few days
after my 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 a further mystery. If my
double were writing stories, using our
common brains for the purpose, he at
least bad a separate bank account
inquired for this account at every bank
in the city, but it was not to be found.
l was destined soon to receive an
other shock. One evening in calling for
a certain magazine my wife made ex-
cuses for not producing it, and knew
at once that my double had been pub
fishing another story. l insisted on hav
ing the magazine brought forth and
found my suspicious to be correct. 1t
contained q story under my name, a
story l had never before read,
Upon inquiry l found that it had
been received but few weeks before
my return to America, and a check
had been sent to my address for it.
The cheek had not been drawn.
l at once notified every magazine in
the country that if 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 a
story In my especial vein and duly
signed with a pen by me, the signature |
being genuine. Two of them had sent |
checks. The third had not.
Since upon inquiry at the postoffice
had learned that there were no let |
-ers there for me, concluded that my
louble had received those containing
he checks. But why had he not drawn |
he money? If he could use my brain
md sign my name to his creations he
Gould certainly indorse a check. 1 no.
lfied the postmaster to hold any mail
or me at the Office bearing the official
stamp Of the magazine that had not
ient me its check and to have any one
falling for letter for me arrested.
Then l asked the editor of the maya
line in question to mail me its check.
The letter was received at the post
flee and held instead of being sent to
ne by a postman. 1t was not called
or. A month passed, and one morn
ng l received an envelope inclosing
IL the checks that had been sent out
or these mysterious stories. But no
ote, no word of explanation, came
With it.
l was greatly relieved. My double
yas an individual and an honest one.
lie or l, one or both of US, scorned to
axe money that had not been fairly
armed. But had he or earned it? He
eing honest, should / be dishonest
nd draw the money for the checks?
One day l secured a note written in
woman's hand, The writer offered
explain the mystery of my double if
would guarantee not to prosecute her
n any illegal act, l sent a reply i'm
lediately agreeing to her terms, and
lie next morning the woman called on
e. / at once recognized the nurse
no had attended me during my i'll {
ess. {
She confessed that when under her
ire l had insisted on debating to her
Id that she had conceived the idea of .
ling the stories l dictated. She had
EN- typewriter and gave them to me 8
sign. After my departure she sent q
EN- out, but had no way of drawing '
e checks except by forgery from
hich she shrank. l
No doctor has satisfactorily explain !
INV condition Of mind 1,,,ixr. All. 1