The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-05
A Sketch Of
Twin Brothers
By F. A. Mitchell

we were youngsters. We did not real
lie how happy we were or at least
how happy we should have been.
was one of twins, Tom and Jim
l was Tom. When Jim and | were
between fifteen and sixteen we were
like one person. And yet one seeing
US together would never have consid-
cred us as such. We were always
quarreling or seemed to be quarreling.
With others 1t would have really been
quarreling; with US there was no quar-
rel at all. We were speaking In a
language we both understood perfectly
remember waking up one morning
and seeing Jim at the dresser putting
on shirt that had kept Numbered to
wear on an especial occasion.
What in thunder are you doing?"
yelled.
No answer.
you blankety- blank robber, II you
don't put that shirt back In the drawer
I'll get up and break every bone in
your bodyr'
Jim had the shirt on and was tying
10y Dssb tldNdt Ills
l launched anathemas and threats
without number. but they awaited
nothing. Jim went out with my ap-
propriated toggery. and turned over
for another nap.
When we were about sixteen Jim be
came enamored of a girl exactly our
age. remember that she wore her
hair in number of beautiful eurls
There was something bewitching In
her tossing them aside when they got
in her way. Just as soon as Jim lost
his heart to her my wardrobe became
especially subject to his depredations.
l had weakness for jewelry. had
saved my money and bought gold
locket, which used for fob. The
watch at the other end of the ribbon
was an old one In a silver case. 1t was
Of no use except for an excuse to dis
play the trinket at the other end One
day | missed my locket. l didn't see
how II could have been stolen, because
nothing else In the house had been
missed
was my establishment to see my locket
suspended to her neck. Jim had
stolen 1t? No; he had simply appro.
priated 1t as common property between
brothers. He knew very well that
would see It on his Girl and would
nothing like stealing about that. 1t
is simply claiming ones own.
There must have been the dawn of
manhood in me. for when l was about
to blurt out that the locket belonged
to me | restrained myself. | took u
much more honorable way-so ! con
sidcred Ito repossess myself of my
property. | asked to be permitted to
examine the locket, and when II was
handed to me | declined to return It.
Lucy-that was her name-upbraided
me and called upon Jim, who was pres
ent, to secure the return of her treas
ure. Jim was In fix He took me
aside and offered me scarfpin and a
plated gold chain If would let the
matter stand for awhile as his gift to
Lucy. | told him that If he would add
red cravat Of his that coveted
would condone his offense and leave
the locket in his girls possession
Making a virtue OF necessity, he yield
ed to my fiinty terms. and | returned
the locket to Lucy.
That was many years ago. | have
forgotten what became OF the locket.
but it is my impression that 1t never
came back to me, though Jim changed
his girl very soon after his stopping
my mouth with his pinchbeck jewelry
and well worn necktie
Then came my turn 10 get girl
wish | could feel toward woman to-
day as felt toward that girl. Phoebe
was her name and | considered her
radiantly beautiful. | have since seen
a picture Of her taken at that time,
and | have been surprised to see that
she was red headed, freckled and snub
nosed
| invited my girl to go to ride with
me. Unfortunately / did not keep my
intention from Jim. and the day drove
W TO the house of my ladylove he
drove mp there, too, with chum of his
in rattetrap two wheeled gig
60 away" / said to him.
He laughed at me.
| threatened and begged. He was
not to he moved. | went into the house
and brought out Phoebe. This being
the first time | had ever taken a girl
to ride | suffered with a painful EN-
barrassment, but the presence of Jim
and his friend was positively horrible
Phoebe saw them and realized what
they were up TO. but pretended not to
notice them. When I drove away they
followed me, but after awhile they
turned on a different road.
l inwardly resolved that when / re-
turned would kill Jim. Yes, I would
kill him, II were hanged for murder
| would die in a good cause. But Jim
knew well enough the storm that would