The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-21
THE Observation-Disclosures

Jones of Greenville was probably the
most absent-minded man in the state of
Pennsylvania or any other state to be
named There were even times when
he forgot that he was married, and it
was one of these lapses that brought
about his death. If he wasn't bothered
with business, he remembered that he
had wife and two children If bust
ness matters vexed him. he might say
to any woman who entered his store:
Five yards of calico. Ell? Certainly,
madam. do not remember to have
seen your face before. May 1 inquire
your naxne7"
1T is Johnson, and I have known
you for the last seven years.
Exactly. Did I ever ask you to
marpv me?"
Never"
Didn't I ever sit up with you Sun
day niEhts2"
Never. sir
well, I'm a little absent-minded, and
you'll have to excuse me-"
The woman was likely to go home
and tell her husband. and the latter
would rush over to Jones and ex-
claim;
head knocked off if you talk that way
to my wife again"
Your wife? But I don't even know
your wife, the astonished Jones would
renly.
But she was just in here after
Calico
WAS that your wife? Well, WE'LL
And all l said to her was that it was
a pleasant dayl"
AS a sort of test of Jones' absent
mindedness, he was told one morning
that five men had been killed at the
railroad depot. He expressed his SYM
pathies, and ten minutes later he was
/ told the same thing over again This
was continued until he had been told
fifteen different times. Then a man
dropped in and carelessly inquired:
We'll, Jones. any news today?"
Not Bit" was the reply
| Wasn't there an accident somewhere
around town this morning?"
| Haven't heard of any"
What was Griggs telling you half
an hour ago."
,a ~Gr g9 Griggs oh, yes. I remem-
Why, he was saying something about
an earthquake in Japan, 1 believe, but
didn't pay much attention."
A Few weeks after that Jones had to go
/ 70 Flttsourg on business. He had his errand
written down in four different note books
ana there was hope that he would accom-
plish 1t without trouble. At the hotel where
he put up he met a widow who was tray-
cling and had lost her pocketbook by theft
ms ms sympathies went out at once and in
MS mental excitement he forgot his past
particularly the fact that he was a mar
ried man He began to talk tenderly and
Kihdly ana within five hours had offered
himself in marriage. The widow sized him
/ up Tor a good man and accepted him and
tHe marriage ceremony took place in the
motel parlor next morning.
| An hour later Jones was recognized by a
| fellow townsman. and of course he was in
hot water. He had committed bigamy and
the widow felt so wronged and insulted
that she caused his arrest at once. When
ne was arrested all he could say was:
/ Dear, dear me. but I'd clean forgotten
that was ever married. I'm not sure that
ever really was before, but If they say
so shall have to believe it,"
! The judge said that matrimony was too
sacred TO be trified with in that way, and
Jones was sent to jail until he could get
bail. There was a delay of three or four
days, and he caught heavy cold in his
damp cell and died of pneumonia before
the case came to trial. When his wife
| came on to see him she upbraided him, as
was only natural, and he replied
| How was I to remember when I had
so much else to think about2 You ought
to have tied string around my finger or
put II down on one of the books. Yes. l
remember now that We were married
about fifteen years ago. How are the chill
dren. or didn't we ever have any?''
An hour before he died or when told
death was near. he quietly replied:
so I'm going to die. eh5 1t sort O.
seems as If had died before. but mebbe
not. III try and remember about it this
time. however. -(Copyright, 1903, by c. B.
| Lewis)