Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1887 — THE TWIN BROTHERS. [ARTICLE]

THE TWIN BROTHERS.

BY FRANK J. MARTIN.

On a bright autumnal afternoon in the year 1849, three well-to-do farmers were sitting on the veranda of the ancient and unique Grand Hotel, in the village of Lowndale, Vt. The discovery of gold in California was the all-absorbing topic of the time. The excitement became so general that it even reached sleepy Lowndale. Our three friends were talking the matter over, and had just fallen into a dreamy state through the influence of the hot sun and their recent energetic argument as to the best overland route to the gold-fields. They had given themselves up to the most fanciful midsummer day dreams for upward of an hour before they were disturbed by the approach of a horseman. He came from the north, rode his sorrel mare with grace, and was well known in the vil-» lage. The three farmers raised their heads mechanically, and looked up the road toward the advancing horseman. “John Signer!” they exclaimed, with as little energy as possible, and then fell back into their old positions, after routing sundry dogs and cats that congregated about their feet for the sole purpose of being as lazy and indifferent to the things of the world as their masters. John Signer was the horseman, and was too well known in Lowndale to excite even the passing interest of any of the villagers. Ho resided with his twin brother Albert, about two miles north of the village. He was noted as a daring rider and a dead shot. He was just the friend to have when in need, and the worst enemy you would wish to meet in a tight place. Albert, his brother, was as much like him in disposition, features, and manners as could be possible for a twin brother to be. They looked alike, walked alike, and were in love with the same girl—Edna Middway. While dressing and looking alike was conduoive to harmony, loving the same girl was a different thing altogether. Neither one had ever spoken to the other about the affair, yet each one was perfectly aware of the movements and desires of the other. Edna Middway, the object of their love, was a charming little country maiden of eighteen summers. She liked John real well, and thought a great deal of Albert. To her they were alike; both talked charmingly; both were handsome men, and both were wealthy. What more could a young lady wnnt? The truth of the matter, as it stood then, was she was in love with both, but not deeply enough to be able to distinguish one love from another. Edna had received a college education, and, besides owning considerable land, she was the only heir of a rich old aunt with whom she resided. Both Edna and her aunt were well aware of the feeling that existed between the brothers, and both were in a quandary as to what to do in the pending crisis. Edna, not being able to make up her mind, let matters drift along in the same old way, and at the same time kept the flame of love burning in the breasts of the brothers. On this particular bright day in October, 1849, Edna was seated in the orchard under the branches of a huge pear tree. In her lap was a work-basket, the contents of which she was busily engaged in mending, while at her feet sat Albert, reading glowing accounts of California life from a Boston paper. Edna did not pay very strict attention to Albert or his reading, until he got up, stretched himself, and said: “Edna, I would like to go out there and try my luck, but ” “But what?” asked Edna innocently enough. “But”— here Albert heard the clatter of horses’ feet, but after assuring himself that no one was looking he bent over her until his face almost touched hers and continued: “But I would prefer to remain here, love you and be loved in return. ” “Oh, Albert! How foolish you are! What would John say to this?” “John! John! What do 1 care for John?” Whispered Albert, at the same time growing deathly pale. “Yes, Edna, I love you. Will you be mine? Answer, Edna!” Albert looked pleadingly into her large hazel eyes. Edna remained Bilent and thoughtful for a few moments, but when she was about to reply they were both startled by a long, loud whistle—a whistle they both knew to be John’s. They both jumped to their feet, and there, sure enough, was John leaning up against a fence not ten yards distant. John looked at both in silence for a few seconds, then turned, mounted his horse, and rode away. No sooner had he turned out of the lane than Albert made a hasty departure, tilling Edna that he would return the next day to hear her answer. What occurred or what words passed between the brothers that night was a mystery for a long time. On the following morning, however, John Signer turned up among the missing. The village was thoroughly agitated over the affair. Albert could in no way account for the strange disappearance of his biother. No one had seen him on the previous evening, and apparently there Was no cause for his strange conduct. But, after all, in three months’ time the affair was forgotten. There was one person who did not forget John so easily, and that was Edna. Three years rolled away and found Albert still in Lowndale, and still courting Edna; but in spite of all his passionate appeals she s'ill refused to becomo his wife. She had at last learned which one of the brothers she loved, and it was John. True, John was away, where she could not tell,

yet she consoled herself with the idea that he would* return some day. Albert prospered so well that it became necessary for him to erect new and more substantial bams and storehouses on his : farm. Accordingly he hired a dozen men, j and set about demolishing the old ones. | When the workmen came to tear up the flooring of a certain barn, they were horri- | fled to find the complete skeleton of a man : lying under it Once more the village was wrought into j fever heat over the strange case. Suppositions framed themselves into convictions, and the outcome of the whole affair was that Albert was arrested, placed in jail, and charged with the murder of his brother John. At the preliminary examination he was bound over to the higher court under the charge of murder in the first degree. Albert stoutly protested his innocence, but the fact that he could give no satisfactory account of what had happened on the fatal night weighed heavily against him. During his confinement in jail he was visited daily by Edna, who ministered to his wants and cheered him up to pass through the ordeal like a man. The day of the trial came, and the villagers turned out en manse to witness the proceedings. The case had become a celebrated one throughout the country. Witnesses were introduced to show that the brothers quarreled frequently. The three sleepy farmers who were sitting on the veranda that afternoon in October, 1849, testified that John had used some little “cuss words” when he returned that afternoon from the south and stopped to water his horse. With tears in her eyes Edna told of all that happened on that particular afternoon, and even went so far as to tell all Albert had told her about “love.” Albert’s defense was entire innocence. He retailed how John had entered the house that night about eight o’clock, and bad asked him if he had asked Edna to be his wife. He testified that he told John that he had, whereupon John took his hand, pressed it tightly, and left the house without saying another word. That was all that Albert could say. To all presont this was a very improbable story. The prosecuting attorney in his argument introduced the skeleton and demonstrated the fact that it was none other than than that of John Signer. Albert’s attorney made a short but forcible plea; the Judge made his usual charge to the jury; and tne twelve men, “tried and true,” retired to an ante-room. Wise heads said that the jury would not be out very long, so the crowd remained in the court-room. Albert was transferred back to the jail. The jury was out just three hours. During this time a stranger entered the room Rnd edged his way up to where Albert’s attorney sat. He wore a fine overcoat and a large slouch hat, while his white beard and long, wavy hair, white as snow, contrasted with the dark clothing he wore. He whispered a few words to the attorney, and then seated himself beside Edna, hanging his head so low that even she could not see his face. At last the word was whispered from mouth to mouth that the jury had agreed. Edna grew pale and nervous; the attorneys moved to and fro; the crowd stretched its neck a little farther; the Judge resumed his seat; Albert was brought back into court; the jury filed in; the crowd grew excited; the stranger with gray hair and beard remained motionless. Everything was in readiness for the jury to render its verdict when the stranger whispered a few words to the attorney. That gentleman sprang to his feet, looked at the stranger, and then addressed the Judge, asking that the proceedings be delayed and that a gentleman present be allowed to say one word. Everyone strained his or her eyeß to see who the gentleman was. The stranger arose, bowed to the Judge, looked at the jury in a defiant way, and then toward Albert. As he turned he gave his beard a little jerk and it fell as if by magic. Their eyes met. “John!” “Albert!” they both exclaimed and rushed into each other’s arms. The Judge grew interested, the jury held another consultation, while the villagers went wild with delight; for sure enough it was John himself, only he had imprbved a great deal. After the excitement had abated somewhat, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. Then the Judge, jury, attorneys, and friends demanded an explanation from John. Mounting a chair, and with a voice full of emotion, he said: “Friends, you are all aware of the supposed difficulty between my brother and I. Well, I thought that this was no place for me, so I left that night and went direct to California. There I remained until three weeks ago, making 'heaps of money,’ as they say. Three days ago I heard, for tbe first time, that my brother was charged with my murder. I was in New York at the time, but got here as quickly as I could. As to the skeleton found under the bam, it was mine. It was given me by an old friend, and, not knowing what to do with it, I buried it under the bam.” The crowd gave three lusty cheers, and the twin brothers left the room arm in arm. A few evenings later John was sitting in the cozy little parlor, in Edna’s house, while that fair creature sat close by. Alter relating many questionable stories about California, he grew serious. “Tell me,” said he, “what came between you and Albert, and why you did not marry him?” “John, don't you know why?” “No, I do not.” “Can’t you guess a little?” “Well, it was not on my account, was it?” “How do you know?” “May I hope it was?” “Yes; I guess you can, if you want to.” “Well, Edna, I'll not run away this time, like a sheep, and get my twin brother into trouble.”

The Plantagenet line of English kings began with Henry 11. and ended with Richard 11., occupying the throne of England for nearly two and a half centuries —that is, from 1154 to 1399. The abolition of slavery in the British colonies was consummated in 1833. Thus were emancipated 800,000 slaves, and £20,000,000 was appropriated for the compensation of their masters. “Ah, parson, I wish I could carry my gold with me,” said a dying man to his pastor. “It might melt,” was the consoling answer.