The St. Johns herald., 1896-09-26
A FoRoETFUL TRAMP.
He Has a Deep Sorrow, but He Cannot Remember What It Is All About.

Remember What It Is All About.
 He tossed gold eagle to the evident ly astonished tramp.
 "As liberal aS in the old Bagdad days, see," said the wanderer. Many thanks, sir. Ah, how I used to enjoy reading your adventures! They are among the very few things I can re- remember"
 You're very kind, I'm sure," said SIndbad. Do you have trouble with your memoryT
 'T should say l did," replied the tramp. "Why. can remember hardly anything why I'm tramping. l can't attend to any sort of business on account of that memory of mine-or, rather, on account of its absence. 1 used to be aD expert bookkeeper, but I forgot the significance of figures, and made the most absurd mistakes. This seriously annoyed my employers, and the result was that couldn't hold po- sition more than twenty-four hours. Why, I've even forgotten my name; I call myself James P. Brown; but I'm sure that's nothing like my real name" | "Now this is very gratifying" said Sindbad, in an aside to Tom; "he has l forgotten even his own name, yet he remembers mine and my adventures" Then he asked: When and how did you lose your memory, sir"
 "Why, I've forgotten even that" re- piled Mir. Brown; "but think it was when had bad cold some years ago. Still, I'm not sure but that somebody hypnotized me- Really, I don't know how 1t happened"
 You seem a man of intelligence" said the great explorer.
 "Oh, amp the tramp hastened to as- sure him. T know a great deal, and if only could remember 1t, you'd find me very entertaining companion-provid- ed my sorrow did not make me disin- clined to converse; 1t might"
 'Eh? You're what" queried Sind bad.
 "My sorrow. Oh, forgot to mention to you that have deep sorrow, which Is constantly preying upon me, and will eventually end my career"
 Dear! dearP exclaimed Sindbad, with an expression of genuine concern. 'Why, this is very sad! don't like to be obtrusive, but if you don't mind tell ing what your sorrow is-"
 My dear Mfr. Sindbad," interrupted Mir. Brown, nothing would give me greater pleasure pleasure, you understand-than to confde all to you, but the truth of the matter is I have completely forgotten what my sor- row is. I've had 1t for years, and know it's something very painful, but to save my life can't remember what 1t is, nor have been able to for-I for get how many years"
 "But how is 1t possible" asked Sind. bad, naturally puzzled, "for you to be worrying yourself into the grave over a sorrow which you have forgotten all aboutT
 "Why, don't you seeT cried the tramp, that's just the point; it's the suspense that's killing me. If knew, exactly what 1t is that worries me I shouldn't worry nearly so much. It is the dreadful uncertainty of the thing. Perhaps have killed some one, and am tortured by remorse; or, maybe, I have lost an immense fortune in rash speculation; or-or-but why theorize on the subject? The fact remains that I have rooted sorrow and that I can't remember anything about it. Now, put 1t to you, isn't that enough to drive 6 man half frantic?"
 ''Yours is certainly a peculiar case," replied Sindbad, thoughtfully. q don't think have ever heard of one exactly like It"
 "Oh, Pm sure you never have" said Mir. Brown If I ever have I've com pletely forgotten about it." And he sighed heavily.-St. Nicholas.