CHAPTER XVII A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY

 On the day that Abner Balberry started for New York to look for Nat, our hero was called into Mr. Garwell's private office.

 

"Nat, how would you like to take a run down to Trenton with me?" asked the gentleman, pleasantly.

 

"I'd like it first-rate, Mr. Garwell," was the prompt answer.

 

"Very well, we'll go in half an hour. I wish to look up certain records concerning some property."

 

"When will we be back, Mr. Garwell?"

 

"Oh, some time this evening," answered the gentleman.

 

It may be mentioned here that John Garwell was a real estate broker¹. He handled only high-class properties, and chiefly those used for business purposes. He had started years before in a modest way, but was now fairly well-to-do, and his business was steadily² increasing. He had taken a great fancy to Nat, and was wondering if he could not use the lad as a private secretary.

 

"I'd do it in a minute if the boy knew shorthand and typewriting," he told himself. "Perhaps I can get him to learn those branches."

 

At the appointed time our hero was ready for the trip to Trenton. His employer had stuffed a valise full of legal papers, and Nat took possession of the bag.

 

"Be careful of that valise," cautioned Mr. Garwell. "The contents are very valuable."

 

"I'll look out for it," was the answer.

 

They walked to the ferry, and there took a boat to Jersey³ City, and then boarded a train bound for the capital city of New Jersey. Mr. Garwell had obtained seats in a parlor⁴ car, and the elegant furnishings impressed Nat deeply.

 

"These cars are like palaces," he said.

 

"They are certainly comfortable," was his employer's response.

 

On the trip to Trenton Mr. Garwell asked Nat much about himself, and at last the boy told his tale from beginning to end.

 

"I don't suppose you care to go back to the farm," said Mr. Garwell, with a quiet smile.

 

"No, sir, I want to stay in New York. I believe there is more of a future here for me than on the farm."

 

"Possibly that is true. You had positively⁵ nothing to do with that fire at your uncle's barn?"

 

"No, sir—I didn't even have a light around the place."

 

"But you saw somebody near by."

 

"Yes, sir. I thought it was my uncle."

 

"It must have been a tramp."

 

"Just what I think, Mr. Garwell."

 

"And you think your uncle is coming to New York to look for you?"

 

"He'll come, if the carfare doesn't scare him off. He is a very close man."

 

"Hum!" The real estate broker mused⁶ for a moment. "Well, if he comes, supposing you let me know? Maybe I can persuade him to allow you to remain in the city."

 

At this Nat's face brightened.

 

"Oh, Mr. Garwell, will you do that? I suppose, as my guardian⁷, he has a legal right to order me back to the farm."

 

"We'll have to see about that. But he hasn't found you yet."

 

"That is true."

 

"You ought to let him know that you are well, and have a position. You need not give him your address."

 

"I'll write the letter to-morrow."

 

"Was your father a farmer?"

 

"Yes, sir, although when he was a young fellow like myself he lived in Brooklyn. His father and his grandfather were both born in New York."

 

"I see. Then you have city blood in your veins⁸. That may account for your liking⁹ New York so much."

 

In a short time after the conversation came to an end, Trenton was reached, and calling a cab, Mr. Garwell had himself and Nat driven to one of the public buildings.

 

Here both spent some time in looking over legal records, and one of the records Nat had to copy off in pencil for his employer. After this, came a visit to a lawyer's office, and Nat was sent on a short errand.

 

When the business in Trenton was over, both found they had two hours to wait before they could get a train for home.

 

"Let us go and get a lunch," said Mr. Garwell, and led the way to a fine restaurant in that vicinity.

 

The real estate broker was on the point of entering the eating place when a child of five ran up to him, exclaiming:

 

"Papa, I want you to buy me some candy, please."

 

Now, as it happened, Mr. Garwell was a bachelor, so he was taken much by surprise, and so was our hero.

 

"Did you speak to me, my dear?" he asked, kindly¹⁰.

 

"Why, yes, papa," answered the little one, readily.

 

"But I am not your father, child," and the real estate broker began to flush up.

 

"Oh, yes, you are!" came from the child.

 

"No. What is your name?"

 

At this the child laughed heartily¹¹.

 

"What a funny papa you are, to ask me my name. But won't you buy me the candy? Please, do," went on the little one, pleadingly.

 

"What a funny mistake," said Mr. Garwell to Nat.

 

"Don't you know the little girl?"

 

"Not in the least."

 

"Get the candy!" cried the child, petulantly¹².

 

"All right, I'll get you some candy, only don't call me papa," answered the real estate broker. And he slipped into a candy shop, and purchased some chocolates. He had just passed the confectionery over, when a middle-aged¹³ lady hurried up.

 

"Oh, mamma, see the candy papa bought me!" cried the little girl, gleefully.

 

"You shouldn't have bought her so much candy, Horace," said the lady to Mr. Garwell, severely¹⁴. "Chocolates make Lulu sick."

 

Being thus addressed, John Garwell turned redder than ever.

 

"Excuse me, madam," he stammered¹⁵. "I—er—this is a mistake. My name is not Horace."

 

"Not Horace. The idea!"

 

"My name is John—John Garwell, and I am from New York."

 

At this answer the lady looked perplexed¹⁶, and then indignant.

 

"Horace, quit your fooling!" she said, coldly.

 

"I am not fooling, madam."

 

"Oh, such a man! Perhaps you'll say next that I am not your wife!" continued the lady, with a black look.

 

"You certainly are not my wife, for I am a bachelor, madam," and now Mr. Garwell began to grow more embarrassed than ever, while Nat was completely mystified.

 

"Not my husband? Oh, you wretch¹⁷, to say such a thing!" The lady turned to the child. "Lulu, who is this?"

 

"Why, that's papa," answered the little girl, promptly¹⁸.

 

"Now, Horace, do you hear that?"

 

"I—I heard what she said," answered the real estate broker, feebly. "But—but——"

 

"If you are not her father, why did you buy her candy?"

 

"Just to keep her from calling me papa."

 

"Indeed! Did you want to bribe¹⁹ her? Oh, Horace, this is infamous²⁰! I—I—have you lost your mind?"

 

"No, but I think you and this child have."

 

At this the lady stared, and gave a gasp²¹. She fainted, and would have fallen to the pavement had not Nat caught and supported her. Instantly a crowd began to collect.

 

"What's the trouble here?" asked one.

 

"The gentleman's wife has fainted," answered another.

 

"Excuse me, but she is not my wife," said John Garwell. "I don't know her."

 

"Certainly, she is your wife," cried a bystander. "I've seen you together lots of times, Mr. Mann."

 

"Wait," put in Nat. "Did you call this gentleman Mr. Mann?"

 

"Yes, and that's his name."

 

"You are mistaken. This gentleman is Mr. John Garwell."

 

"Go on with you, I know Mr. Mann too well to believe such a yarn²²."

 

"I don't care what you say, this gentleman is Mr. John Garwell, and he is from New York City."

 

"Then he has been playing a part here in Trenton, where he is known as Horace Q. Mann," said the bystander.

 

By this time the lady was coming to her senses. She clutched at the real estate broker.

 

"Take me home!" she murmured. "Oh, this is too much!"

 

"Better take her home," said several.

 

"I don't even know where she lives," answered John Garwell, blankly.

 

"She lives at 19 Hallock Street," said a boy in the crowd. "I'll show you the place, mister."

 

"Why not take her and the little girl home?" suggested Nat. "Perhaps you can clear up this mystery there?"

 

"All right, I will," answered his employer. "Nat, call a coach. I'm going to see this affair through. It's the oddest thing I ever had happen to me."

 

The coach was called, and the lady and the girl got in, and John Garwell and Nat followed.

 

"I knew you were coming home to-day from that trip to Washington," said the lady, with a tearful look in her face, "but I never dreamed you would act this way, Horace."

 

"Madam, will you answer me one question. Have you a husband who went to Washington?"

 

"Oh, Horace!"

 

Seeing he could make no headway, Mr. Garwell became silent. Inside of ten minutes they reached 19 Hallock Street, and the coach came to a halt. A servant let them into the mansion²³. As she did this she stared at the real estate broker and gave a low cry of surprise.

 

"Why, I—er—I thought Mr. Mann was in the library!" she stammered. "I didn't know he went out to meet you, Mrs. Mann."

 

"Let us go to the library," said John Garwell.

 

The lady of the house was willing, and hurried hither, followed by her daughter, the real estate broker, and Nat. As they entered, a gentleman who had been seated in an arm-chair, reading a book, arose to meet them.

 

"Well, Clara, I'm back," he said, cheerily.

 

"Oh!" screamed the lady, and fainted again, and not without good reason, for before her stood a gentleman who was almost the exact facsimile of Mr. Garwell in face, form, and general appearance.

 

"Why, which one of you is my papa?" cried little Lulu.

 

"I'm your papa!" answered the gentleman of the house. "Why—er—who—who is this?" he stammered, looking at John Garwell.

 

"Let us attend to your wife first," was the answer, and soon the lady of the house was restored to her senses. Then began a series of explanations.

 

"It was dreadful of me to make such a mistake," said Mrs. Mann, hysterically²⁴. "But—but——"

 

"I don't wonder at it—now," answered John Garwell. "Your husband could pass for my twin brother."

 

"I can hardly tell one from the other, myself," said Nat.

 

"Never mind; he bought me some candy," put in little Lulu, and this made all laugh.

 

"I am going to ask you to do something," said John Garwell, to Horace Mann. "I think you owe it to me to walk down town, so that your fellow citizens can see that there are really two of us."

 

"Yes, Horace," pleaded his wife. "I made a lot of trouble for Mr. Garwell."

 

Horace Mann agreed readily, and soon he and the real estate broker and Nat left the residence. On the main streets of Trenton many stopped to stare after them. Among the number was the man who had spoken to Mr. Garwell, and insisted that the real estate broker was Mr. Mann.

 

"I apologize," said the man, promptly. "But I reckon you'll admit the resemblance is simply wonderful."

 

"I do admit it," was the answer. "Still, that doesn't make me anybody but myself."

 

Horace Mann insisted upon taking John Garwell and Nat to dinner, and treated them to the best the restaurant afforded.

 

"After this I'm going to wear a badge, so my wife will know me," said the Trenton man. "And I'll never dare to come to New York, for fear of being taken for you."

1 broker   

n.中间人，经纪人；v.作为中间人来安排

参考例句：

• He baited the broker by promises of higher commissions.他答应给更高的佣金来引诱那位经纪人。
• I'm a real estate broker.我是不动产经纪人。

2 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。

3 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

4 parlor   

n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅

参考例句：

• She was lying on a small settee in the parlor.她躺在客厅的一张小长椅上。
• Is there a pizza parlor in the neighborhood?附近有没有比萨店？

5 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

6 mused   

v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事）

参考例句：

• \"I wonder if I shall ever see them again, \"he mused. “我不知道是否还可以再见到他们，”他沉思自问。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• \"Where are we going from here?\" mused one of Rutherford's guests. 卢瑟福的一位客人忍不住说道：‘我们这是在干什么？” 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史

7 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

8 veins   

n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理

参考例句：

• The blood flows from the capillaries back into the veins. 血从毛细血管流回静脉。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I felt a pleasant glow in all my veins from the wine. 喝过酒后我浑身的血都热烘烘的，感到很舒服。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 liking   

n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢

参考例句：

• The word palate also means taste or liking.Palate这个词也有“口味”或“嗜好”的意思。
• I must admit I have no liking for exaggeration.我必须承认我不喜欢夸大其词。

10 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

11 heartily   

adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很

参考例句：

• He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿，就出去找他的马。
• The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手，热情地和我握手。

12 petulantly   

参考例句：

• \"No; nor will she miss now,\" cries The Vengeance, petulantly. “不会的，现在也不会错过，”复仇女神气冲冲地说。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

13 middle-aged   

adj.中年的

参考例句：

• I noticed two middle-aged passengers.我注意到两个中年乘客。
• The new skin balm was welcome by middle-aged women.这种新护肤香膏受到了中年妇女的欢迎。

14 severely   

adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地

参考例句：

• He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
• He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。

15 stammered   

v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He stammered most when he was nervous. 他一紧张往往口吃。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Barsad leaned back in his chair, and stammered, \"What do you mean?\" 巴萨往椅背上一靠，结结巴巴地说，“你是什么意思？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

16 perplexed   

adj.不知所措的

参考例句：

• The farmer felt the cow,went away,returned,sorely perplexed,always afraid of being cheated.那农民摸摸那头牛，走了又回来，犹豫不决，总怕上当受骗。
• The child was perplexed by the intricate plot of the story.这孩子被那头绪纷繁的故事弄得迷惑不解。

17 wretch   

n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人

参考例句：

• You are really an ungrateful wretch to complain instead of thanking him.你不但不谢他，还埋怨他，真不知好歹。
• The dead husband is not the dishonoured wretch they fancied him.死去的丈夫不是他们所想象的不光彩的坏蛋。

18 promptly   

adv.及时地，敏捷地

参考例句：

• He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
• She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。

19 bribe   

n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通

参考例句：

• He tried to bribe the policeman not to arrest him.他企图贿赂警察不逮捕他。
• He resolutely refused their bribe.他坚决不接受他们的贿赂。

20 infamous   

adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的

参考例句：

• He was infamous for his anti-feminist attitudes.他因反对女性主义而声名狼藉。
• I was shocked by her infamous behaviour.她的无耻行径令我震惊。

21 gasp   

n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说

参考例句：

• She gave a gasp of surprise.她吃惊得大口喘气。
• The enemy are at their last gasp.敌人在做垂死的挣扎。

22 yarn   

n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事

参考例句：

• I stopped to have a yarn with him.我停下来跟他聊天。
• The basic structural unit of yarn is the fiber.纤维是纱的基本结构单元。

23 mansion   

n.大厦，大楼；宅第

参考例句：

• The old mansion was built in 1850.这座古宅建于1850年。
• The mansion has extensive grounds.这大厦四周的庭园广阔。

24 hysterically   

ad. 歇斯底里地

参考例句：

• The children giggled hysterically. 孩子们歇斯底里地傻笑。
• She sobbed hysterically, and her thin body was shaken. 她歇斯底里地抽泣着，她瘦弱的身体哭得直颤抖。