Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-09
Mr.. JOaSOh'S MEMORY

Mrs. Jobson, where is that pair of heavy
gloves that bought late last winter, or
early in the spring, wore a few times. and
then asked You to put away for -me?'
asked Mr.. Jobson when he was ready to
start for the ofice the other morning.
Mrs. Jobson looked nonplussed.
Let me see,' she said. ''Where in the
world did I'ppt them? In the cedar chest
in the attic, id your old trunk full of odds
and ends or,
"Oh, that's you all over, Mrs. Jobson,"
growled Mr.. Jobson- You're the most con-
sistently forgetful woman on the top of the
ground today, It's a wonder to me that
you remember to get up in the morning or
to go to bed at night. Pair of brand-new
gloves that l only wore about four times.
and you don't remember whether you gave
them to the ashman SOS he could keep his
hands from getting soiled, or packed them
away in that junk-box Of yours full of half
made tides, doylies, never-fnished piano
covers, and SO on. Mrs. Jobson. it wouldn't
hurt you any If. during the coming winter
you hunted up one of these memory-im-
proving sharps and took a couple of hun
dred lessons from him. It 'ud-' --'.r --f
DO you ever forget anything, my dear?'
inquired Mrs Jobson. d. ..ae r..T .--~-
'Me?' repeated Mr.. Jobson after her,
standing on his toes me forget anything?
Never! Mrs. Jobson! Never! don't profess
to possess all the virtues; madam, like
Sc me persons that 1 could mention, but
there's one little matter in which l am
never at fault. and that's the matter of re-
membering things. 1 never forget any
thing. l was never known to forget any
thing: challenge you to mention a single
occasion in the whole course of our married
life where I've ever forgotten anything.
And don't think I'm anything remarkable
because happen to be able to remember
minutes or SO. 1 just keep my head about
me, that's ALL
And you never forget anythfng?" in
CURED Mrs. Jobson, with certain archness
that Mr.. Jobson couldn't understand.
might ask what you're up to now, Mrs
Jobson?" he inquired. Forget anything?
Haven't I Just finished telling you that
make specialty-that I've made lifelong
specialty-of never forgetting anything?
Dates, names, scenes, incidents. conversa-
tions. faces-I can remember EN- hundred
years. l remember where put things-re-
member everything. Why did you ask me
that question. might 1 inquirer"
'Oh, nothing" replied Mrs. Jobson, with
a smile lowering at the corners Of her
mouth, and Mr.. Jobson looked at his watch
and found that he didn't have time for any
more discourse on the strength of his phe-
nomenal memory.
AS soon as he had gone Mrs. Jobson went
to her writing desk and addressed postal
card to MIR. Jobson at his office. It read
simply:
Have you forgotten anything today?"
followed by Mrs. Jobsons signature. She
sent the card to be posted at the corner,
and about half an hour later she put on her
things and went over to the drug store and
rang up Mr.. Jobson on the telephone
When he came to the phone Mrs Jobson
simply inquired:
'sMy dear, have you forgotten anything
today?" and, before he had time to reply.
rang off.
About o'clock In the afternoon Mrs.
Jobson sent a small boy down to her hus-
bands office with note. The note read:
Are you absolutely certain, my dear,
that you haven't forgotten anything to-
6ay?"
missing gloves, and found them just where
she supposed them to be, after which she
dressed to receive, her guests. There We're
about twenty Of these guests, old and tried
friends, most of them, when Mr.. Jobson
came charging i'm ABOUT half-past 4. The
table was set with unusual splendor, and
all of the company seemed to be wearing
suppressed smiles. Mrs Jobson had been
telling them Of Mr. Jobson's remarkable
memory. Mr.. Jobson greeted his wife's
guests with a puzzled air, and then turned
to Mrs. Jobson,
MY dear he began, "wha-wha-I am
about US in such cheerful gathering, but
I didn't know when 1 started out this
morning that you had a dinner and recep-
ton booked for today"
Tut, tut, my dear said Mrs. Jobson,
you suggested it yourself. You must
have forgotten"
Suggested it myself 2-Hnst have forgot
ten?" said Mr.. Jobson, some solemnity
creeping into his features. Forgotten
forgotten-that reminds me of those queer
messages I received from you today. Who's
forgot anything? Who ever forgets any
thing? I'd be delighted to have you tell
me what all this mystery's about, Mrs.
Jobson.'
mo mystery at ALL" said Mrs. Jobson,
drawing him out into the hall and looking
him square in the eye. More than a month
ago you suggested that on the fifteenth
anniversary Of our marriage, which hap
pens to be today-now wait until 1 get
through!-you suggested that we have
afterward. Remember? Well, when you
went away this morning after having told
me with such astonishing conviction that
you never-no, neveri-forgot anything,
thought I'd give you every opportunity
to remember by sending you those mes
sages today. But you didn't remember,
did you. now honest?
why, Of course I remembered It," said
Mr.. Jobson. First thing I thought about
soon as woke up this morning Would
have mentioned 1t then, but you were sound
asleep. Been thinking about 1t all day, too,
and I knew you'd think you had a little
surprise awaiting me, and didn't want
to spoil 1t. But when you make an issue
on the memory Question of 1t, Mrs. job
son, I've got to own up to it that I've re-
membered this anniversary all the time
and this pleasant affair you've fixed up
Isn't q surprise to me at all. Sorry, but
1t isn't. I'd like to let you think it's
surprise, but it isn't. I never forget any,
thing. Never was known to-