The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-11-06
MIR. Edison. Absent-Mindednes..


Many famous men have been noted for
Iheir absence OF mind, says the New YORK
Tribune. One Of the well-knoWn men OF
the day, none has a more worldwide
reputation than Thomas A. Edison, the
great inventor, and probably none is more
absent minded Mr.. Edison has, however,
a good wife. who takes the greatest care
OF him. But for her Watchful eyes. there
Is no telling what would happen 10 him.
MI. Edison is so absent minded when en-
crossed IN his work. that he apparently
Edison would probably work on until he
dropped from sheer exhaustion. When he
/ mas some particularly hard problem 10
work out IL is difficult 10 get him TO
leave his laboratory al East Orange His
meals are brought in TO him, and he in
sists on sleeping on ''slIakedown' in his
private office. Mr.. Edison has become 50
interested in his life work. that even
when away from horne-on pleasure bent
as II were-he still has. his mind upon ii;
The wizard" occasionally visits this
city with his wife and two little children.
While here the EdisOns make their home
at the Hotel Normandie, and are very
popular with everybody connected with
the house. Mr. Edison is frequently seen
in the hotel office. He viii pick out a
comfortable seat, and, newspaper IN hand,
Will sit down TO read. lie reads Slowly
and carefully, and undoubtedly mentally
digests everything which he peruses
Pretty soon, however, the newspaper VIII
lie upon his lap and Mr.. Edison Will be
engrOssed in thought. His bright eyes,
set deep in his head, will take on far
away expression, widely different, how
ever, from that Of the habiJual dreamer
who spends his time building air castles,
and more that of the student who has got
some hard subject to master IN a given
space OF time.
While reading the newspaper Mr.. Edi-
son has possibly gained new idea
something that will enable him success
fully 10 work out an invention upon Wnlcn
he has been labOring for many months.
If not disturbed, he Will sit deeply buried
in thought for hours. About meal time,
hftrr NIFa rrrfI a
for her husband. She viii enter the hotel
office, and with smile upon her race
viii walk over to the chair in which the
wizard is seated and say: 'Thomas,
it is time for luncheon, and the children
are drcadfully hungry"
rs it, my dear?" the wizard" will re-
ply, 4 had forgotten all about il.
When dining with his family Mr.. Edi-
son is a delightful companion. He will
joke with his Two pretty children and en-
JOY himself hugely. At times like this
he eats and drinks like any other sensible
and healthy man. But what noticeable
difference there is when Mr.. Edison en-
ters the dining room alone. He is an early
riser and generally breakfasts by him
self. The head waiter is upon the look
out for him. and as soon as he is seated
he receives the bill of fare. The wizard
orders his breakfast, and no time is lost
in placing il before him. The great diff
ficulty is 10 get him to eat 1t. He has the
newspapers brought TO him, and If he gets
Interested in them, gOOdby to breakfast.
lie viii not eat thing, but just sit and
read and read.
The Edisons were staying at the Nor
mancie short time ago, and early on the
first morning after their arrival, Mr.. Edi-
son entered the dining room alone. lie
greeted the waiter cordially and was
quickly served with his breakfast. He
began TO read the newspapers, however,
and as the room became filled up with
other guests, the head waiter lost sight
of him. Some time after he saw Mr. Edi-
son rise from the table and start to walk
out of the dining room quick glance
ard, just as he was passing out through
the door. why, Mr.. Edison," said he,
you nave not eaten your breakfast yet ,
The wizard" thought moment and
then answered; well, we'll, l guess you
are right; | don't think l have" and with
that he returned to his seat and ate his
usual morning repast.