Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-04-22
AN ABseNT-MINDsp PROFESSOR
Two Amusing Stories OF Mommsen,
Germany. Great Historian.

Two Amusing Stories of Momm.en,
Germany. Great Historian.
Some good stories are being told Of
the late Theodor Momm~en, the ia
nous German historian One OF the
marked characteristics OF the great
scholar was his intense absorption in
whatever at any time happened TO In
terest him and this resulted In an alb
sent-mindedness that led him into all
sorts Of difficulties. Perhaps the most
noteworthy Of these concerns Momm-
sens first and only speech in the Reich
stag.
When he went to his seat be was es-
corted from the University Of Berlin,
In which he then held the chair Of his
tory, to the Parliament Building 10y a
great essemblage Of students Tn. stu
denis thronged the galleries, prepared
to give their beloved professor a greas
demonst1a ton when he had finished his
maiden speech.
After Mommsen had taken his seat
he was observed to tumble in his pock-
els and draw out paper that all sup
posed was the speech In question. M
sooner had he done this than Bismarck,
the Iron Chancellor, arose to address
the house. Not the slightest attention
did Mommsen pay to Bismarck He sat
absorbed in his paper. which he held
close up to his nose, for he was unusn-
ally short sighted.
All of a sudden, while Bismarck was
still talking, up jumped Nommsen and,
to the amazement of all, cried In
loud voice:
"Stopl stopl Stop! What does that
student mean by talking all this time!
He must stop it, say! II he doesn't
shall call the attendant"
The explanation of the grand old
mans outbreak was soon apparent to
all. The paper he was examining was
one concerning his duties as professor
and he thought he was still at the uni
versity. There was a great outburst OF
laughter, In which Bismarck Joined
most heartily. But Momnsen could
never be induced to enter the Parlia-
ment Building again.
In 1890 MOmmsen was arrested and
locked up for hours by the Berlin police
He got into this difficulty through an
invitation he received to attend re-
ception given by the present Emperor
William. On the night of the recep-
ton the street that leads to the castle
was closed to all save the guests of the
Emperor, all of whom, with the ex-
ception of Mommsen, arrived In car
riages.
The famous historian, whose man
ner of living exemplifed his democratic
principles, rode into Berlin from Char
lottenburg on car. Upon alighting
from the car, Mommsen pressed his
way through the throng. In a few
minutes he came to the police line and
without hesitation started to pass on.
He was promptly seized by a police
man and pushed back. 1t was too much
for the old mans temper Taking the
book that he carried he beat a tattoo
with it on the policeman's head.
you ignorant Russianp exclaimed
tho historian, using the term OF ex-
IRENE contempt among Prussians;
you ignorant Russian, what do you
mean by selling old Mommsenl I'm
old MOmmsen, l tell you-Mommsen,
Mommsen, Mommsenw
The policeman, lodging the further
play Of the book, looked at the old
mans battered soft hat and seedy
overcoat and decided he was q crank
Two hours later the Emperor received
word that his missing guest was In the
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