Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-23
IN TWO PARTS-PART I.

IT is popularity believed that twins grow up in
mutual love and loyalty-and, when properly
reared, this is not only probable, but almost i'm
perative,-but these two grew up in mutual hatred
and antagonisn; even though in face, FORM brain,
mind and soul they were as alike as the proverbial
peas in pod. They received the same limited
education in the schools and classes, and up
to the period of this story never apart; not be-
cause either so chose, but because of the common
influences of their environment, which decreed the
same paths and channels of thought and initiative.
They orphans, and had their home with an
illiterate stepfather whose early mistake of punish
ing one child for the fault of the other raised the
first barrier between them. The guilty boy
amused at the mistake; but the victim, smarting
with pain and of injustice could not APP
preciate the humor of the situation, and waited for
a reversal of conditions, which, not happening inn
mediately, he brought about by deliberate Of
Tense and an accusation of the other.
Then followed reprisal met with reprisa and in
time each boy hated the other with hatred that
dominated all other emotions, and, inspired by
previous grievance, would hesitate at no dishonor
able and unboyish trick whereby he might create
trouble for him. 1t genuine community of
soul; for it manifested itself in other and more
pleasing ways, and without mutual prompting.
If one felt like playing hooky, the other felt the
impulse, and they would come together but only
to separate with snars. If one liked another boy,
the twin shared the liking; and, conversely, each
disliked the enemy of the other, though never to
the point of defending him. They fought each
other often; but never was victory given to either
Each battle was draw, and supremacy could not
be established; for neither would surrender until
the other was ready to.
So conditioned, physically, mentally, and morally
the cumulative effect of the vcarous suffering of eac
brought them to the murder mind when, at nineteen
they fell in love with the maiden. The episod
need only be mentioned. They made love in the sam
and the maiden repused each with the catho
lie impartality. Neither might have won her alone
but both thought So and in the furious battle with fists
stones, and clubs that followed they received nure
which, with the stepfathery horsewhipping that cam
to them, laid them up for week Had they been en-
dowed with of humor, or had they been sepa
rated long enough acquire one they might have bee
spared the soul consuming malignancy that now pos
sessed them; was, each from bed while hard
able walk, and resolved to get away from the Other
ran away from home, slowing away in the ship,
three-skysail yarder bound to Sydney.
These things | learned from the maiden referred to
whose father commanded the big ship. and from late
inquiry in their native village. From now on, however
they less under my immediate attention
for | was second mate of that ship.
Mr.. BUTTERELL, the first mate, hauled Bill OF,
A'A of the paint locker about the same time that
found Tom in the lazarette, and we brought the tw
together under the break of the poop for the Captain
inspection and decision. 1t plain from their face
as they eyed each other that neither had expected
find the other board; but after garng each othe
for moment they assumed moody indifference
which left them only for an instant when low voic
the poop above said, "Why, Papa! The Lando
boys!7
l was surprised myself though agreeably so,-fo
did not know that Mabel to make the voyage wit
and looking up to where she stood with her father
/ received nod and smile.
little here, in parentheses, about myself. l wa
twentyour, and had sailed four voyages with Captai
Merwin, the last two second mate mainly to kee
in touch with this girl who, child of fourteen ha
been my shipmate the first. And because of this