MARVELOUS LIKENESS OF TWINS.
Some Cases of Mistaken Identity, Which
Involved Their Victims and Others
in Complications.
The cases of mistaken identity which occur in real life are only another proof of the old adage that “truth is stranger than fiction.” Even Shakespeare, in his “Comedy of Errors,” stretching the probabilities to the utmost limit with the twin brothers and their twin servants, did not equal the facts in a marriage celebrated not long since in Paris.
Two bridegrooms, so exactly alike as to be indistinguishable from each other except by differences in attire, and two brides of whom exactly the same was true, were attended by two “best men” who were modern dromios.
Alphonse and Gabriel Chanteau, the bridegrooms, were distinguished from each other in their twin babyhood by means of a pink ribbon tied around the arm of Alphonse. Now that they have reached man’s estate Alphonse wears a red waistcoat and Gabriel a white one.
Genevieve and Susanne Renaud, twin sisters who have become Mesdames Chanteau, are living realizations of Girofle-Girofla in the French comic opera of that name. Their differentiation in the eyes of their friends is accomplished by the aid of Genevieve’s red corsage and the white one worn by Susanne.
As to the grooms’ “best men,” Gustave and Maurice Freunzer, also twins, who are cousins of the Messrs. Chanteau, they are as much alike as the proverbial two peas.
Knowing their marvelous resemblance, these twins will undoubtedly keep themselves happily “sorted out”; but the case of a woman in Vienna who was imposed upon to the extent of actually marrying the wrong man has the element of tragedy rather than comedy.