New-York tribune., 1890-04-20
VICTIMS OF ABSENT MINDEDNESS
BRIDEGROOM FOHGErS HIS wIFE-HE WAS A
HAPPY FATHER. But WHETHER IT WAS
BOY or GIRL HE COULD NeT SAY.

\
Never was abscnt-mndcd In my lfc.7 said the
little man, who tuggcd nervonsly at his bristling
mnNtachc. But my father had Of the worst
cases ever heard Of lie man who used the
good old fashioned birch generously. To add TO the
good effect Of the punishment he used send ont
to cut the switch. II II was not a good he sent
us back for another. once he sent me on one OF
these melancholy erTands and my offence had been
playing hockey from school for three days, was in
no hurry to return for my punishment. When came
In the room he was pacing thoughtfuy up and down
the room.
James he said 4 am glad you have come. 1
wanted You for something but It has slipped my mind.
VIII recall it in moment And discreetly backed
ont of the room with my birch behind me- and tossed
II over the fence. That the last heard Of that
switching
"CaNc Of suspended Judgment said some one,
softly
My brother continued the first speaker. was
as bad as my father He lives in New England town
and he went 10 Boston to transact some bust
ness which would occupy two days. At
the end Of four days he had not returned His wife
anxiety relieved that day by a telegram. which
read What did | come to Boston for, Have been
trying to remember for three days
Real estate tclcgraphcd his wife.
"'of course came back the answer
THAT remind, me- said Of the party. d" Of
friend ~ mine. lie was lawyer in a small town.
and frequently after working late at night at his Office
would sleep comfortable lounge which he had In "a
back room. When he married there wed
ding brcahfa. the brides home and the couple
10 start on evening train for wedding trip. Il
had 10 around to his office for few moments hav
ng forgotten some little thing which had To be at
tended to- The hour, went on and Il failed TO re
turn tO his bride When train time and no bride
groom appeared every thrown into a panic.
The bride tainted aud the news spread like widhrc
IN the little town that = had abandoned his bride
and fed the town. The only who seemed not to
tears. refusing to listen to any condemnation Of her
missing husband but declining to offer suggestions.
Finally She could stand the strain longer and posted
her father to H., Office. Ii had gotten deep
into nj, work and Just the point Of going Ia
slerp on hl, lounge lie was so broken mp over his
but hi, wife and extended his two months wedding
tip OYER a year. They made of the happicst
couples the world. but this day his wife has to
ind h- hat him and remind him what lie wants TO
\ similar case. but which could hardly he
called observation-disclosures said another of the little
group. }, that of G, the stock broker ON the
morning on which his first baby born he came on
the ropr with a radiant face. Catching sight of me.
he rushed up and said, with beaming smile and
",Consratulae me. old I'm the happlest father
i'm New lOil. city. There never was sucn a Iahu>oWo
baby born before
II do congratulate Won. Harry. old man.. answered.
as he squeezed hand warmly. BOY or s1rl ~
lie looked AZ m" for "A moment ana theh wave Oh
blank de- pair went over his face
~.Ill be- hanged II know. he said.
G. disappeared from the hoor, but In couple
Of hours felt some nearly jerk my arm from lis
socket. 90, =, . ,.
to find on