The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-04-15
My Literary Double.
[originall


I am short story writer. After a
long illness 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 story signed by my
self. At least the name was mine
Then l remembered that there might
be others OF my name, and set about
Derusing 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
my success. When a reader takes
fancy to my work. he can get it 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.
I wondered as read on IL one Of my
stories that had come back to me
when sent out Mt the beginning Of my
career and finally shelved had not fall.
en- into some ones hands who had dis.
honestly sold it. But finished It with.
out recognizing scene in it from be-
ginning to end. 1t is needless to say
that was puzzled than puzzled.
l was seized with an uncanny feeling
that 1 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 1t 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. I knew the moment / looked
ut 1t that l had written 1t. / felt
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, but
1 knew that was well and of sound
mind. / had never been nj in my life
except the once have mentioned, and
then, far from using typewriter,
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 IL the money had been
drawn. 1t had not.
Here was n further mystery. If 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, hut it was not TO be found.
was destined soon to receive an
other shock. One evening in calling for
certain magazine my wife made eS-
cuses for not producing 1t, and knew
at once that my double had been pub
fishing another story. insisted on hay
Ing the magazine brought forth and
found my suspicious to be correct 1t
contained story under my name,
story I had never before read.
Cpon inquiry 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 check had not been drawn
l 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, u;'on inquiry at the postofiiee
had learned that there were no 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 iudorse check no
tilted 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 letter for me arrested.
Then asked the editor of the maya
zine M question 10 mail me its check.
! The letter was received at the post
Office and held instead of being sent to
me by postman. 1t was not called
for. A 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 1t.
/ was greatly relieved. NV double
was an individual and an honest one
He or l. 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
and draw the money for the checks?
One day secured a note written in
woman's hand. The writer offered
to explain the mystery of my double il
would guarantee not to prosecute her
for any Illegal act ] sent reply i'm
mediately agreeing to her terms, and
the