Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-07-07

own
There have been many amusing and
some embarrassing complications aris-
Ing from the resemblance OF one dis
tinguishod man to another. one Of the
most embarrassing cases OF the kind
was furnished by the testimony given
I'm good faith by witness that no saw
James Gordon Bennett on Fifth avenue,
New York, whereas it was true that Mr..
Bennett was in Europe at the time, and
the witness had mistaken a well-known
double OF Mr.. Bennett for him.
Probably the most remarkable Of mis-
takes due TO perfect facial and physical
resemblance between two men was one IN
which President Garfield was involved,
and greatly TO his amusement. Yet the
Presidents mistake was a most natural
one as the experience OF an adept at
remembering faces proves. This was the
late Fred Lansing. for many years the
proprietor of the old Astor House. in New
York city. a mcn who was never known
10 mistake a name and face hut once.
Passing through the rotunda OF his
hotel. he saw a gentleman sitting on a
stool before the lunch counter and. GO
ing up to him. patted him Familiarity on
day Mr. Postmaster"
The man on the stool looked over his
shoulder you've made mistake" he
said However much I'd like to he the
postmaster OF New York, I am not that
ofncial"
The day following. seeing at the lunch
counter a man who. he felt sure this
time. was the postmaster. Mr. Lansing
went up TO him and slapped him on the
shoulder "Weu. Mr. Postmaster" he
confessed. 81 made a queer blunder yes
terday. / never made one like Il before.
There was a gentleman sitting here whom
I saluted as Mr.. Postmaster and he
turned and declared that 7 had made a
mistake.
you have made the same mistake
again; am the same man." was the
reply
Completely upset Mr.. Lansing crossed
the street to the postofhce and hunted
up the postmaster. Have you ,been &c
lunch YETI" he demanded. mo" was the
reply. And then. more mystihed than
ever. Mr.. Lansing related his expert
ence.
well" said the postmaster, you needn't
feel so Inundated. A dozen times a day
I am greeted as Rastus S. Ransom
General Arthur's law partner and Ran
som tells me that he Is often taken for
me-"
Some years later when the postmaster
of New York had become Postmaster
General in President Garheld's cabinet
he took Mr.. Ransom 10 the white House
As they entered the private secretary
room. that gentlemans jaw dropped. =
moment later Mr. Ransom carrying tn,
Postmaster Generals portfolio, had beef
showed by Thomas l.. James. It's rightfu
owner. through the door leading into tn
Presidents private room. The Presiden
looked up from his desk.
GOOD morning Mr. Postmaster Gen
eral" he said cordially. whereupon, MI
James stepped through the door and
took his stand beside Mr.. Ransom
Almost agape with astonishment Pres
ident Garfield looked helplessly from on
man TO the other. Finally. Mr.. Jane
took a step forward. MI. President" h
said. II am very glad TO have this or
portunity OF introducing TO YOU Mr. Ras
tus S. Ransom. the law partner Of Vice
President Arthur"
For moment or so IL seemed as thong
the President was not clear in his min
that the speaker was really his cabine
: officer and all through the pleasant cha
that followed he marveled at the clos
resemblance between the two men. An
his last words 70 Mr.. Ransom were;
"Mr Ransom, II you were 10 come alon
through that door tomorrow. oArryin
the portfolio OF the Postmaster Genera
should undoubtedly receive you as
cabinet officer and begin consulting wit
you regarding your official duties"
Copyright. 1910 by f. J. Edwards. A
Rights Reservedl
. To-unorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell {
1.-THE Injustice That Put Stephen 4
b Douglas in Congress"