The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-07-22
AN ABSENT MINDED DOCTOR
[From the New York Times.1

IL
One Of New York's best known physi-
clans has also the reputation of being
one of the most absent-minded of men.
He was engaged the other evening
stufhng a trunk and dress-suit case
with clothing and manuscripts perpara-
tory to starting Immediately for a
western city where he was to lecture
before convention of pathologists on
that branch of therapeutics which had
broughth i'm 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 rail-
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 a 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, 1--WE forgotten
to bring any money with me. It's one
on me. Come back to the Office a. min
ute and Wen have a drop of that Scotch
you all know so we'll" The invitation
was readily accepted by his fellows, who
were hilarious at the joke on the man
who was to devote one of his series of
lectures to the loss of memory, it's
causes, and remedy" Seated in his
study, he said:
Boys. we are bit early for the train
and while we're waiting I'll tell you OF
an embarrassing experience which hap
pened me as a result of my treacherous
memory on my last tour through the
west.
Two of US started from New York,
DR. Blank, a tall fellow like myself,
but great deal more thoughtful of lit
tie things that make life's pathway
bit smoother at times. He had arrang-
ed everything, not forgetting even ex-
ira collar buttons. We had nearly
reached Buffalo when I remembered
that all my clothing as well as my
manuscript were at home in a trunk
waiting for the expressman I 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 was to begin the
course of lectures.
I telegraphed to New York to send
on my clothing, but we were already
nearly fifteen hours ahead of the next
express, and hal figured to arrive in
town just in time to snatch a mouthful
of food and get 70 the lecture room.
MY manuscripts had arrived all
right, but there I was in a travelling
costume of linen, covered with dust,
and not fit to be presented to an au-
dience who We're anticipating much,
even in the way of dress, from a New
York specialist My linen was thor
Oughly SOiIed on the trip, and I didn't
or cuffs Dr.. Blank had brought sew
era1 suits Of clothes with him, as we'll
as a good supply of linen, SO we over
came this obstacle and thought little
more about it But linen and outside
wearing apparel weren't the only
things I found I needed when I began
to take advantage of Blanks gener-
Gus offer to clothe myself from skin to
head covering. I only wore my own
shoes because Blanks were one size
smaller and a. trif1e narrower than
mine. But other than furnishing me
with footwear, I was clothed through
out In Blanks wardrobe It was not
evening dress, but a suit of the frock
cut, which answered very well. and
considered it at least semi-a appropriate
for tho occasion.
1.-THE lecture hall was but a short way
from the hotel, and told Blank to go
ahead and 7 would follow Immediately.
as we were now some minutes late.
Blank obeyed and announced I would
soon be there. as 7 was then dressing.
After dressing I discovered I was low
in funds. very low. and. of course,
desiring to keep I'D the reputation of
the profession in the metropolis. I
didn't care to go among strangers
without enough money to sustain this