Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-03
The Daily Story
Aow Saved My Brother-By William Chandler.

Jim and I were twins. The only
physical difference between US was
that was born with a deformed big
toe on my right foot. When we were
boys mother bought two circular pieces
Of silver about the size of dollar and
hung one around the neck Of each Of
us. On Jim's were engraved the words:
This is James Arthur Chittenden,
one Of twin boys. He may very east.
ly be distinguished from Frederick
Booth Chittenden, his twin brother,
by having perfect great toe on both
feet, while his brother has a deformed
great toe on his right foot" The disk
she hung around my neck stated that
l was the brother with the deformed
toe. She entered a copy of these In
scriptions on our record at the church
when we were baptized.
Our home was in the Shenandoah
valley, Virginia. When the war be-
tween the states opened Jim and l
were nineteen years old. We didn't
have to go far to see fighting, for there
was plenty Of it right where We were
General Stonewall Jackson was cavort-
ing up and down the valley, striking
one Federal force on one side Of the
Shenandoah river, then crossing. burn
ing the bridge behind him and cutting
up another force on the opposite side.
The general stopped at our house one
day and asked Jim to bring him
glass of water. Jim went for 1t, and,
mother calling to him, he asked me
to carry the water. I did so, and the
general made remark to me in con-
nection with something he had said to
Jim. l explained that it was not I
he had asked for the water He was
very much surprised. Presently Jim
came out, and the general looked from
one to the other Of US, evidently much
interested in our similarity of appear
ance.
Are you young men thinking Of
fighting for the south" he asked.
We replied that in Difference to our
mothers wishes We had not yet done
so, but expected to enlist very soon.
General Jackson was very ingenious
In his methods Of getting information
Of the enemy. He told Jim and me
that II we would enter his secret serv-
ice force he thought he could use us
to better advantage than if we fought
In the ranks. We asked him to ex-
plain, but he did not do so. However,
we concluded to join him and went
with him to his headquarters.
The first thing the general did was
to order us before a surgeon for phys
ical examination. We were told to
strip. which We did, and 1t was not
long before the surgeon noticed my de
formed toe. He at once told us to put
on our clothes, the examination being
! ended. Then we were ordered to re-
port to the general. He told us that be
wished to send one of us into the I'm
ion lines for information. but that the
Federals were on the lookout for spies,
and capture was almost certain. OF
course capture meant death. Jim and
I both offered to go, so the general
| suggested that we. draw lots sor the
| privilege. We did so. and Jim won.
AS soon as Jim had gone the general
| told me TO get into woman's dress.
did so. and, having no beard. but a
| pair of red cheeks, made a first rate
| girl. The general told me- to follow
jim and bring back any information
he had to send. for he wished Jim TO
accomplish all he could.
l fixed up a basket of butter and
| eggs and went north. selling my prod
uce TO the Federal soldiers, keeping
my eyes and ears open all the while
| lin had been told TO leave any mes
sage for me with a certain woman
| who lived within the Federal lines.
| went TO her and made myself known,
! only TO learn that Jim had been caught
! cdhanded In her house with l0t o.
terminating documents on him
| Now. the general had suggested thu
| II this event | might be able TO saw