The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-04-14
A Sketch Of
Twin Brothers
By F. A. Mitchell

- - S"CNN anu " eO 4
back In memory to our homes where |
We were youngsters. We did not real !,
lie how happy We were or at least
how happy We should have been. l
was one of twins. Tom and Jim. |
l was Tom. When Jim and l were |
between fifteen and sixteen we were |
Ike 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 dolng?" l
yelled.
| No answer
You blankety- blank robber, if you
don't put that shirt back in the drawer
] I'll get up and break every bone in
( your body-'
Jim had the shirt on and was tying
my best crayat around his neck
! launched anathcmas and threats
without number. but they availed
nothing. Jim went out with my ap-
propriated togsery. and turned over
/ for another nap.
/ When we We're about sixteen Jim be
came enamored of a girl exactly our
age. l remember that she wore her
hair in number of beautiful curls.
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.
| had weakness for jewelry. had
saved my money and bought a gold
locket, which | used for fob. The
watch at the other end OF the ribbon
was an old one In 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 It could have been stolen. because
nothing else In the house had been
missed.
The next time saw Jim's girl what
was my astonishment to see my locket
suspended to her neck. Jim had
stolen It? No; he had simply appro-
priated 1t as common property between
brothers. He knew very well that ]
would see 1t OH his girl and would
know that he had taken 1t. There Is
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 a
much more honorable way-sO j con
sidered Ito repossess myself Of my
property. l asked to be permitted to
examine the locket, and when 1t was
handed to me declined to return 1t.
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 a scarfpin and a
plated gold chain II would let the
matter stand for awhile as his gift to
Lucy. told him that II he would add
red cravat Of his that l coveted l
would condone his offense and leave
the locket In his girls possession.
Making a virtue Of necessity, he yield
ed to my finty terms. and ! returned
the locket to Lucy.
That was many years ago. l have
forgotten what became OF the locket,
but 1t 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 a well worn necktie.
Then came my turn TO get a girl
wish could feel toward a woman to-
day as felt toward that girl. Phoebe
was her name, and l considered her
radiantly beautiful. I have since seen
, a picture of her taken ut that time
and | have been surprised to see that
she was red headed. freckled and snub
nesed
, l invited my girl to go to ride with
/ me. Unfortunately did not keep my
intention from Jim, and the day drove
/ up to the house Of my ladylove he
: drove up there, too, with a chum OF his
in a rattletrap two wheeled gig.
, 60 away" l said to him.
He laughed at me.
, l threatened and begged. He wat
not to be moved. l went into the house
and brought out Phoebe. This being
the first time had ever taken a girl
. to ride. suffered with q painful EN-
barrassment, but the presence OF jim
, and his friend was positively horrible.
, Phoebe saw them and realized wha'
: they were up to. but pretended not t.
: notice them. When drove away they
: followed me, but after awhile they
!. turned on a different road.
inwardly resolved that when / re
:, turned I would kill Jim. Yes, would
!, kill him, IL / were hanged for murder