The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-03-09
BILL AND BROTHER.
They Don't Look Alike. but People Get
EN- Mixed.

resemblance with the best brother
a man was ever blessed with.
Bill is one Of these big, tall, large,
expansive men who fairly breathe
strength and prosperity. l am merely
q man Of medium size and condition,
and thereby hangs the curse.
Under ordinary circumstances
would pass as a fairly good specimen
sf average manhood. but with Bill In
the same town | am literally pushed
INTO lower grade. And the worst of
Il Is l can't blame Blll-can do moth
hg. In fact, to dlspel the curse which
will not be injustice to my own
brother.
1t is a wonder that have preserved
my health under the strain Of I'M
wholesome suggestion with which
am daily surrounded.
visited barber shop with no other
purpose in view than getting a hair
cut l always shave myself and have
therefore never acquired a wide ac-
quaintance among the tonsorial fra
ternity. Bill, on the contrary, never
does any Of his own little personal
chores.
The man smiled expectantly-Bill is
liberal with tips-as advanced to-
ward his chair and started to say
something familiar, then saw his mis-
take and drew back with startled
exclamation. BEG pardon" he sub
stituted Il thought you was Jones,
the lawyer. Some kin Of his, amt
you? Great resemblance some way
and yet as different as any two men
ever seen. When you come up just
now I'd "a sworn Il was Bill Jones
sick"
And that's just the position occupy.
I am "Blll Jones sick" and heartily
sick Of being Bill Jones.
For many years l have avoided ap-
pearing in public with my brother
save when absolutely necessary. When
I do go out with Bill our mutual
friends insist on giving me the most
guperfuous advice to Fletcherize,
drink plenty Of hot water, drink 1t
instead Of eating breakfast, take more
exercise In the open air, and they even
intimate that less liquor might be
good thing. And have a digestion
that makes Bill himself envious.
Recently Bill was sent to a hospital
10 have his appendix removed for the
second time. This statement in itself
Is sufficient to show the injustice of
my position. / have never seen the
inside Of a slckroom save as a visitor
and comforter Of the sick. His opera
don was the talk of his friends, for
Bill is one Of the most popular young
men in the city.
Leaving the hospital one morning
after having visited my brother, I was
accosted by certain young lady whom
i admire greatly. In fact, | may say
adore her. So does Bill 1t is an af-
fair which good taste forbids my dis
cusslng here, and beyond the state
ment that my brother and have been
rivals for her hand and that numerous
undesirable complications in our broth
erly relations have arisen thereby
will say nothing.
l saw her approach from some dis
lance, noticing, | must confess with a
heart which beat rather stronger than
the occasion demanded, the graceful
way she walked. the saucy poise OF
her head. carrying without apparent
effort a hat which would have seemed
three sizes too large on any other wo-
man, and the generally desirable fg-
ure she presented In her hand she
held bunch of Yiolets-violets.-his
favorite flower. had to repress an
involuntary pang OF jealousy. Doubt
less she was bound for Che hospital
TO visit my poor brother. She was
such a kind hearted thing. | decided
10 rctrace my way with her so that
might be at her side to help dispel the
general atmosphere of gloom in the
sickroom.
She did not observe my approach
until we were within step Of eact
other, the large, dropping architectur,
OF her hat preventing broad and ex
pansive view. When she did see ms
she jumped back with startled LITTLE
cry. Involuntary extended my arms
In a gesture OF protection which termi
mated in one OF dismay when she ex
claimed: "Oh, Bill! You careless boy
My dear! How can you take sucl
chancesy And the doctor said you alb
solutely must not leave the hospita
for two weeksl You look
But didn't wait to hear how
looked. My mind was made up.
hurried down the street without wait
ing for explanations or apologies
From her they would have been NOR
than even could bear.
I suppose I'll have to go back befor
long.-Stanley Il. Hofiiund In Harper
Waahlv