The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-27
AN ABsENT-MINDED MAN.
story of BeIntcd Consignment of
Cheese supply.
CFrom the kansas City Star.

(From the Kansas City Star)
Don't forget the 'Camembert' Jack
| dear cried Mrs. Dillon 10 her son as he
left the house one bright December morn
ing. There isn't 4 bit of it in the house
and father is so fond of it,
"All right, mother, I'll either send or
bring il out myself" replied Jack, as he
| waved his hand in farewell.
Have it sent out, Jack, you may forget
| to bring it," said Mrs. Dillon. who knew
her sons shortening. For Jack Dillon
was the most absent minded fellow you
! could well imagine.
II sometimes think he would forget his
! head il it were not fastened 10 his body"
| she had on more than one occasion re-
marked to a friend.
| AS Jack walked down the street to the
corner where he was to take the car he
| repeated the word "Camembert' a num-
| Der of times, and as he swung onto the
| grip a broad smile illuminated his face.
Hello, Jack, what's so funny as to
make you smile SO early in the morning."
| asked friend who sat on the other side
OF the car.
Nothing much. just a little joke on
mother" replied Jack. Then he and his
| friend fell to discussing business matters,
and when Jack reached his office he had
! forgotten all about "Camembert." And
1 he had passed the delicatessen store on
! his way down and had seen the sign, too.
He was soon engrossed in his days
| work, giving orders, answering questions
| and correspondence, for Jack occupied
responsible position with his firm. Once
or twice during the morning he remem
bered his mothers commission, but al
ways put it off with III attend to 1t
later" At the luncheon hour he again
passed the delicatessen store without
thought OF what he had been hidden to
do. As the day waned and his work was
finished there came over him a feeling OF
unrest as if something had been left un-
done.
what is it. anyway" he asked him
self Oh. yes. l have it; it's the 'Camem-
bert cheese. III attend to it now" said
now.
He put on his coat and was about to
leave when tinga-ling-a ling went the
telephone
Wei. what is isl" asked Jack Whats
that? Poker game tonight? Where? At
the .'csel? What time? All right, count
on ne Nov I'll get the 'Camembert' and
have it sent out" thought Jack
He proceeded direct to the Delicatessen.
The store was crowded. Reaching the
cheese counter he asked the clerk: ANY
'Canembert' today?"
Very sorry, sir. Just sold the last box"
replied the clerk
That's TOO bad, too bad said JACK
Are you sure it's all gomez"
Just wait. I'll have another look re-
piled the clerk.
While Jack was waiting the proprietor
Of the Delicatessen, who exercised strict
supervision over his establishment, came
up. The clerk returned at the same time
and said: "AIi out
''Wass iss?" asked the proprietor
Gentleman wants 'Csmembert' and 1
just sold the last box, replied the clerk.
Wy you no sell him de friestich kase?" |
asked the proprietor, pointing TO a small |
round cheese done up in silver foil Desc |
ISIS much beser vie 'Camembert'
Is it?" asked Jack.
''Achi II ISIS de best kase you effer did
eat in all your life yet" replied the pro-
prietor.
Jack looked at the small packages, felt
them. smelled them They were very soft
and the odor, phewi but it was strong But
Jack had TO have some cheese.
Very well, I'll try it" said Jack Send
up half dozen packages"
Och. els ISIS too late, mein frient, aber
eiss iss too late. mein wagons ISIS all gone
Jack cursed his luck and picking up the |
package put it in his pocket and left the
store.
He could have taken it home himself
but he feared If he went home he would
be too late for the poker game and that !
wouldn't do, for poker was his soace So
he concluded to take supper at the hotel
and send the cheese home by messenger.
At the hotel he met some Of the boys who
were TO make up the nights game and as
the talk progressed the package of cheese in
Jacks overcoat pocket was entirely for
gotten. Before going 10 the room where
they were to play Jack hung his coat in
the check room. small stuffy place. and
which was Immediately over the hot room
of the Turkish bath rooms.
While the session was supposed to cease
at o'clock Sunday morning il ended. as
all such games do. at O'Clock in the
morning. Jack could and would have
played all day had the crowd so wiIled
but 1t didn't, and with nothing else to do
or anywhere to go. he decided to go home
cold bath. a shave and Jack felt as IL
he had had good nights rest He pro-
eeeded to the check room. Several hotel
employees were moving trunks and valises
about the room
Must be a dead rat" he heard one of
them say. though l can't see where it
could have gotten in
My coat please No. S.''-said Jack.
The coat was handed out. Jack folded
and put 1t on his arm and left the hotel.
II was beautiful day. The sun was
shining and the air was soft and balmy.
Every passer-by turned and looked at
Jack. The car was comfortably filled =
when Jack entered and took seat This |
lime he had taken the electric instead of
cable car In a few minutes the people |
n the car began fdgeting. Each looked
II the other. What could il be? The con-
luctor. passing through, opened the ven
ilators at the top Of the car. Still no
'eiief Jack. half asleep was unconscious
# any discomfort He heard the woman 4
lifting next to him remark to her escort.
Isn't il frightful? Let's get of at the
lext crossing" One of the passengers
n leaving the car, stepped on Jacks feet
&c awakened to find he had the car to
himself Suddenly he became conscious ,
4 the disagreeable odor. He had only
CIV blocks to go. so he thought he would ,.
walk. II was too nice day TO ride, any
way. AS he passed out the conductor :
hrank from him as If he were the plague
What's the matter?" asked Jack !
''Nothln'.' replied the conductor. with
;rimace.
As Jack entered the house his sister.
anne forward TO embrace him and almost !
aiEted Jack hung his overcoat on the ,
at rack. Soon the house was filled with
very disagreeable odor. Windows and
oors were opened Still no relief +
Mrs Dillon finally located the source Of a
rouble. Passing the hail rack she saw :
ack's overcoat with its bulging pocket. -
Iere the odor was thickest She alb ! =
tracted the package. which had melted =
nd broken. and carried It out and threw n
/ In the alley. Jacks overcoat was hung =
n the line in the stable until the NOR =,
ow when the dyer and cleaner would call "