New-York tribune., 1901-04-28
SOME WAYS OF THE WORLD
THE STORY OF THE PRODIGAI. STILL.
HOLDS GOOD-A SCARCITY OF
PLEASANT FACES.

One Of the most curious and incomprehensibe
traits of our humanity is what is commonly called
observation-disclosures. person who is born absent
minded whether he Is clever stupid. remains SO
10 the end OF his life. which is strewn with annoy
resulting from this very inconyenient quality
by Jove, have forgotten my watcht' exclaimed
man TO his companions a rarty OF young
people were about take the train from
Beach. Il must have left Il under my pillow al
the hotel. Will just have time TO go back and get
it,, he continued. pulling his watch from his
pocket Yes, do it," he exclaimed, making
a rapid calculation. And he SET off a run for
the nearby hotel where they had been stopping. At
first most seemed that the whole thing was
not perfectly natural. but a great laugh went up
when they al SUI ldenly realized that the absent
minded youth had timed himself with the very
watch that he went for. Why. you could fill
book with Harry's absentrnlnded performances"
sad his sister ''FIe is always doing the most
surd things. He forgot me in restaurant in Bos-
ton not long ago, and never remembered that
was in his charge until he was on the lightning
express for New-YoTk. We both coming
back from Harvard together from the annex and
he from the oolleSe-and he had the money and the
tickets. We went together 10 the - for luncheon,
6 sIssr H,1a6 whGh r ne let m & 4 to & get cigar weed
what had really happened, !. e, that after pur-
chasing his cigar he had entirely forgotten that
Leaving word with the waiter, In he should
found that our train had gone, then back again TO
ne TeStagrsnt, h9 |nere as aad & eXHe ET ted no
purse. j spent part Of il in teegraphng
planatory message 10 mamma, and with the rest
returned TO Cambridge. where found telegram
from Harry which he had managed 70 get
from the train. Did You worry l asked him
afterward. Oh not bitr he answered cheerfully.
I knew you would be all right. but | glad the
mater received your telegram before l arrived
hOme.'
Clergymen are often absentmindei. The Rev.
AIr. C. who during his vacation IN the
habit OF writing number of sermons for the win
ter's use, down from the chancel Sunday
after. service 70 speak OF his vestrymen
about some parochial matter. after which ne said,
just before separating. Il had idea while preach
ing my sermon just that il sounded very famil-
far. and l have been rather worried lest I might
have preached il already. | that you did not
have the same impression. Did you ever hear Il
before" only last Sunday" the laughing
answer.
1t seems rather hard the punctilousy careful
people of the world that the sentrninded are al
ways readily forgiven for every misdeneanor how
ever often repeated ii may be. while every lapse
on their part is resented intentional rudeness
Billy can do anything" grumbled the ~ood
eioer brother of the family. speaking OF the prOd-
gal. and he is never held accountable. He may
miss engagements. forget promises. and get into
scrapes more or less serious all the time and no.
body is ever angry with him. Whereas If l neglect
the smallest cOnyentionalitY. l punished with
black looks and have II remembered
against ne. II is Just the now as I'm ancient
Jucea The good. conscientious member of the
lafEily (as represented by myself is always at
dissdVantage. while the fellow who puts every
body out fand that's Billy IS always the favorte'