Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-24
MAN FORCETS He
HAS AGED WIFE
RETURNS HOME WITHOUT HIS
VENERABLE SPOUSE
Did Not Miss Her for Two Days and
Returns to Kansas City to Find
Her Bordering on Nervous
Prostratlon
Special to The Herald.

Special to The Herald.
KANSAS CITY. Mo-, Aug. 23.-After
forty-five years of married life M. P.
Farrell of Odessa, Mo-, places his name
on the register of the Court of Human
Interest as 1.-The Man Who Forgot His
Wife"
Though to the one who passes by
this tale on the other side of the street
1t appears as huge bundle of humor,
yet through it's heart runs a fine, red
strand OF pathos. The grays and whites
of age are in the picture.
For many years M. p. Farrell and
his wife have lived at Odessa, Mo.
They are both close to 80 years of age.
Time has not laid as heavy a hand
upon the man, but the womans face
is streaked with lines, her hair is white,
her shoulders stopped and her walk a
betrayal of the burden of the years.
They decided to come to Kansas City
Wednesday for little outing, and
took a room at the White house at 744
Oak street. They hadn't been in town
very long before Mr. Farrell began to
prepare himself for his visit by imbib-
ing big quantities Of pain killer. Before
night he had acquired a number nine
jag. The size increased by Thursday
morning. 1t made him forget that
walking on asphalt pavements gives
country people spavins and charley
horses.
Pain Killer BIots Memory
1t made him forget all of the newt
able things on the calendar of human
events, the things that worry and
haunt men to early graves. 1t made
him forget that fire burns. that water
vets, that oil makes greaSe-spots and
booze trouble. But worst of all-woe
to iiim-he forgot his wife.
About 10 o'clock Thursday morning
he wandered into the White house
and deposited $40 bill with the clerk
as pay for board and lodging. He had
made up his mind that he had finished
his visit in Kansas City, and quietly
he trekked his way to the union de-
pot-wifeless and alone. His memory
had slipped a cog, and for all he re-
membered he was but a joyous
bachelor.
He took the train for Odessa and
landed at his home.
About forty-eight hours of broken
sleep put him in normal condition again
and he started about his natural busi-
ness.
did you and Mrs. Farrell enjoy
your visit at Kansas City?" asked one
of his neighbors yesterday morning, as
the old gentleman started for his house.
Tries to Remember
"Yes-yes. he muttered, and began
to scratch his head where 1t didn't itch,
vainly trying to remember that he had
forgotten something.
oh, I'll just run in and see your
wife a minute" said the neighbor wo-
man. And. suiting her word with ac-
ton, she brushed by the dazed Mr.
Farrell and went into the house.
In a minute she was back. Where
is she?" she asked.
Where? What?" he replied "I
didn't" and he scratched his head
some more and started to walk aimless-
ly down the street.
Gossip travels In a hurry and II
wasn't long until the story was over
the neighborhood that Mrs. Farrell
wasnt'-just wasn't
The town marshal was at once called
upon. He hunted up Farrell and by
series OF brutally laundering and dl-
rect questions succeeded in bringing
him to himself.
"By the holy jumpin'-." started
Farrell; she"
Var, var, no swearln'," he inter-
rupted.
why. she's in Kansas City" con-
tlnued Farrell; "I-I-forgot herl"