Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1901-09-13
The
AbSentminded
Doctor.

atory 10 starting Immediately for a
western city where he was to lecture
before n convention OF Psychologists on
that branch Of therapeutics which had
brought him fame. A number OF his
professional friends who were TO ac-
company him were In waiting. The lug
gage was well on Its way to the all
way station. the doctor and his friends
following, when his friends were sur
prised to see the doctor start suddenly
as though he had suffered n cardiac
shock and clasp his breast ON the left
side. They threw their arms about him
TO support him and prevent him from
falling. but the doctor waved them Off
and smiled.
Boys" he exclaimed, 'T've forgot to
bring any money with me. It's one on
me. Come back to the Office n minute,
and We'll have a drop of that Scotch
you all know so well" The invitation
was readily accepted by his fellows,
who were hilarious at the joke on the
man who was to devote one Of his Sc
ries OF lectures 10 "the loss OF memory,
its causes and remedy" Seated I'm his
study, he said:
Boys, we are n bit early for the
train. and while we're whiting I'll tell
you of m embarrassing experience
which happened me as n result Of my
treacherous memory on my last tour
through the west.
Two OF us started from New York,
DR.. Blank, n tall fellow, like myself,
but a great deal more thoughtful Of lit
tie things that make llfe's pathway n
bit smoother at times. He had arrapg-
ed everything, not forgetting even ex-
ira collar buttons. We had nearly
reached Buffalo when 1 remembered
that oil my clothing as well as my
manuscripts were at home in a trunk
waiting for the expressman had for
gotten to send for. a few days before
starting / managed to think to express
duplicate copies of my addresses ahead
to the city where l was to begin the
course Of lectures.
81 telegraphed to New York to send
on my clothing, but we were already
nearly 10 hours ahead of the next ex-
press and had figured to arrive in town
Just 10 time to snatch a mouthful Of
food and get to the lecture room.
ny muAunNIlpAS Huu uIIlNtu III
right. but there / was in a travelling
costume of linen. covered with dust
and not ct TO be presented to an au-
dlence who were anticipating much,
even iu the way Of dress, from a New
York specialist. My linen was thor
Oughly soiled on the trip, and l didn't
have time to buy new shirts, collars or
cuffs. DR.. Blank had brought several
suits Of clothes with him as well as II
good supply Of linen, so we overcame
this obstacle and thought little more
about 1t. But linen and outside wear
ing apparel weren't the only things l
found / needed when ! began to take
advantage Of Blanks generous offer 10
clothe myself from skin to head cover
ing. ! only wore my own shoes be-
cause Blanks were one size smaller
and n trifc narrower than mine. But
other than furnishing me with foot
wear l was clothed throughout In
Blanks wardrobe. 1t was not evening
dresa. but n suit of the frock cut, which
answered very well, and / considered
1t at least semlappropriate for the &C.
caslop.
'"rhe lecture hall was but a short
way from the hotel, and / told Blank 10.
no ahead and would follow imme-
diately, as we were now some minutes
late. Blank obeyed and announced that
! would soO be there. as / was then
dressing. After dressing l discovered !
was low In funds. very low, and OF
course, desiring to keep up the reputa-
tion OF the profession In the metropolis,
didn't care to go among strangers
without enough money to sustain this
reputation In case OF an emergency.
IT searched through the pockets Of
the clothing ] had discarded and, writ
ing a check Tor 500, rushed to the desk
OF the hotel TO have Il cashed. l passed
II 10 the clerk with that request. l sup
pose he mistook my haste for excite
nent and looked at M susplciOusly as
he read the signature on the check. l
requested that he would not delay me
and showed him my name on the regis
ter, where Blank bad registered for me-.
] quickly discemed the expression Of
suspicion In the clerks face. and II
made me angry. Again / demanded
that be grant my request az once.
"'How are we 10 know you are the
persOn whose signature Is 90 this
check be asked.
y told him l didn't know how he
vas 10 know II, but that ] was a guest
IN the hotel.
"Hsve you auything about you that
win identity your be inquired.
- have letters addressed TO me-
said 4, forgetting I had on Blapkis
clothes, and ! thrust my hand in The
inside pocket and threw blm a whole
bundle Without looking nj them.
- saw the clerk read the name on
the envelopes, look NJ me again end re-
fiFe 10 auQther Toolo. Immediately On
sthrT aentlemap. Tho I .nfterWard
Ramed was the proprietor OF fhe botoi.
esBie oul carving the bundle OF letters
= bis hnnd. W
- beg PARTON. be SAD. but there