The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-07-18
Jacks Memory Training.

IOOus IISS|III dNIFis hp'lICi
Sister Carrie, Little Willy, Aunt
Susan. Enter JACK, with a slam
and rush. Filings books down on
table and himself into chair.
Jack-I want to tell you, my hon
ored relatives, that this memory
training is superb! That was only
my third lesson. and my memory
bump feeling it +
Aunt Susan [shiyeringl Jack did
you notice the thermometer as you
came in2
Jack-Oh, 1 forgot TO shut the door!
/ beg your pardon. Shuts it. Ny
memory bump fairly knocked my
hat off. it is growing so fast. l shall
have to wear a stOve-pipe hat to ac-
commodate it. Want to tell you
what l learned to-day. l learned
to-
Sister Carrie-Jack, excuse the in
terruption, but | am somewhat ac-
quainted with you, and / should like
to know whether you mailed that
letter l gave you at noon?
Jack clapping his hand to his
pocket - Wh.e.e.ew If l didn't
forget all about it! Was it of any
importance
Sister Carrie-Inlportaace Didn't
l tell YOU L wouldn't have it miss
that mail for any thing.
Jack taking out the letter oh,
you needn't get angry, Carrie. IiI
take it to the Office alter supper
starts to put in his pocket, but Car
RE takes possession of it Well, as
was saying, mother, you can't i'm
agine how much / can remember.
Listen He rises, strikes an attl-
tude and recites : Hamburg. cod
fish, soft-soap, Washington, mill race,
needle, camel, coming, bull, dog,
Milton, Dickens, Dante, cheese, geog-
raphy, fiddle
Father-Jack, you young rattle.
brain, how much more is there of
that stuff?
Jack-There are one hundred and
seyenty-eight words in all, and | can
say them all off, backwards or for
wards. HOW'5 that for a feat of
memory? Geography, fiddle, Calcut-
ia, Shakespeare, turpentine-
Father-It just occurred to me,
jack, that you pass the jewelers. ev.
cry day. and possibly Mr.. Goldsmith
sent word by you about my watch =?
1t is high time ii was done. 1 need
it badly.
Jack-Wh.e-e-ew! Pm sorry, ia
ther, but he gave me note for you
three days ago, and l put it in the
clock, because he's a jeweler. That's
the way. to associate ideas, you
know. l thought, whenever | look
ed at the clock. would think of that
note. But forgot to look at the
clock. Takes the note sheepishiy
out of the clock and hands it to his
father.
Father sarcastically. as he takes
it. Been training your memory in
any other direction. Jack?
Jack Frightening up and not no.
tlcing the sarcasm oh, yes, sir l
can give the Presidents of the United
States forwards and backward. Hear
me! George Washington, John
Adams. Thomass jefferson, James
Madison, James Monroe
Mother-Oh, Jack, while l think
of it, you ordered the sugar. at the
grocery?
Jack-Dear me! That's too bad I!
You see, just before 1 got to the
store Bill jenkins came along onshis
new bicycle-Safety, and a beauty
and l was looking at that. and walk
ed right by. I'll get il tomorrow
without fail.
Mother-Well. we'll have to go
without sugar for tea tonight, sup
pose slyly]. Tell US something
more about your memory training.
Jace-Well. the brightest thing is
about figures. L can remember any
date you please. I'm going to be-
come an encyclopedia, a biped ency-
clopedia. Observe! The cotton gin
was invented in 1893. California was
discovered in 1886. The area of Ala.
bama is 50,722 square miles. The
public debt of the Udited States in
1889 was
- Willy looking up from his blocks
Jack
Jack-Don't interrupt!
Willy - But. Jack! can Sammy
Brown go fishing with me Saturday?
Jack-WelI, there! l declare,
Willy, Pm sorry, but forgot to ask.
Saw his mother. too Willy begins
to whimper.l Come, now. don't cry,
and I'll help you dig fish worms. I'll
see Mrs. Brown tomorrow. willy
dries his tears.