The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-10
HIS MIND IS A BLANK,
Young Man Doesn't Remember
Even His Sweetheart.
He Had Seemingly Recovered From
Blow On His Head.

IN Sandusky, o., ana is now aoout ~
years of age. Last August q year ago he
went 20 Elyria to work on Nectric lines.
One day fellow workman let celluloid
insulator drop on his head, inflicting a
sma wound, which was quickly dressed
and iought no more of for IA time.
Two or three days later his head began
20 pain him, and he became worse until
Obliged 10 take train for home, where he
lay in delirium for nearly a month.
When ho recovered, he went back TO Elyria
TO resume work, but in week or two it
was noticed that he acted strangely, and
one Saturday evening he told his landlady
that he was going home to spend Sunday.
He left the house and for months was
not heard of. His open valise and n GER
titled check for sl20 lying on the top OF
his clothing were found in the room mt
Elyria. A systematic search was inaugu.
rated, but for months no trace could be
obtained.
One day a young lineman in Youngs-
town dropped remark to friend of the
Higgins family to the effect that he knew
a young lineman In st. Louis who called
himself Ed Higgins, but who could not
tell anything about himself or his family,
and only knew that he had been at work
in st. Louis several months, but could not
recall how he got there
This was communicated TO the father,
who at once went to st. Louis and laid the
matter before Chief Harrigan In all its
singular details.
His father found him, but he could not
recognize his parent. The two went to
Chief Harrigan together for consultation.
"will you go with him TO Sandusky and
see whether he Is telling you the truth or
notY" asked Chief Harrington after the fa-
ther had exhausted every effort at hand to
recall tho young mans memory.
"Ycs, sir, will, :" said young Higgins.
"He says have gray haired old mother
there who mourns mo for dead. l want TO
see her." And his eyes filed with tears.
"I don't know who / am, and If this man
can put mo RIGHT as to my identity he will
do me the greatest service any human be-
ing could do"
The father and son boarded train for
Sandusky, and on the trip home the father
endeavored 20 recall some incident that
would he recognized or remembered by the
son, but absolutely without success. Upon
his arrival at the train large number of
relatives and acquaintances greeted him
His younger brother rushed up and sa-
lutod him, but no remarked, Excuse me-
but don't know YOU" His old mother
camo up to him as no was taken to the old
homo and exclaimed, "Dont you know
me, my boys" And the tears streamed
down her checks. 81 do not" said he
81 cannot remember of ever having seen
any of you before"
ho " WINS IN m u N hapn mi "A rrtnd
on the 18th of last October to Miss Edith
Marchus Miss Marchus' grief over the
mysterious disappearance Of her affianced
husband was bitter. The time for the we'd
ding was close at hand when he disappear
ed, and she had all preparations made for
the event. The blow fell upon her heavily
Ono of the most delicate offices devolving
upon tho parents Of the young man was to
apprisc Miss Marchus of his return and ar
range meeting between them. He had
already been asked If he remembered Miss
Marchus and had replied that be did not.
1t was hoped however, that when he was
brought face to face with lSk he would re-
call her. A meeting was arranged to take
place mt tho Higgins residence, and Miss
Marchus, trembling and excited, was ush-
cred into the room where he and his moth
or sat. The young lady had taken the
procaution to attCe herself In gown
which tho young man had often remark
ed was becoming Co her, and it was be-
lieved by her that thus dressed he would
recognize her.
Mrs. Higgins arose as Miss Marchus en-
tered and remarked:
"Here Is a lady you will be glad to see
my boy.
Nf;,, Noroh,,. ,,,o q, o,,,, pJoto1u o,-oroo,,,o
She rushed toward him, threw her arms
about him and kissed him. He did not re-
turn her embrace or kisses, but looked at
her in a dazed sort of way, and finally
said:
We'll, l don't know you, but I like
your ways"
The young lady, sobbing Historically,
sank into n chair and Mrs Higgins sooth-
ed and comforted her as best she could.
Miss Marchus in measure regained her
composurc. The matter Of her engage
ment TO tho young man was discussed, but
he could recall nothing of the affair what
ever Letters which ho had written to her
while no was an Elyria were shown him,
and he recognized the handwriting as his,
but had no recollection of hay ing written
the letters. The young people met several
tliCS tnerVltCr, anu, HitnouRu INC young
man wrs unable 90 remember Miss Mar
chus he was very favorably Impressed
with her
The fact that he could not recognize his
people and friends here and could recall
mono Of the scenes and incidents of his life
In this city distressed the young man so
greatly that he announced 20 his parents
the other day that no could not content
himself here and had decided to return To
st. Louis. His father and mother were
sorry; but, despite their protests and
pleadngs, ho took leave Of them and Is
now in Sc. Louis, having resumed work
for tho electric company.
His parents received letter from him
recently, i'm which he says he feels as well
physically and mentally as he ever did,
and that he Is in better spirits among his
friends there than among people here.
who, though he is forced 20 believe they
are nearer to him by ties Of kindred, are
really as strangers TO him save for the
brief acqunintanceship formed during his
recent visit 90 Sandusky.
Largo Coffee Crop In Central America.