The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-05-15
AN IMPORTANT REMINDERS


always knew that William James
had bad memory, but never real
lied how treacherous It was until we
laid in a supply OF bacon and other
delicacies and went down in the Red
river district to prospect for gold. He
was so absent-minded that at times
he would even forget TO eat his meals,
and once or twice / had to remind
him IL was outre to work go TO work
in his underclothes. ! often feared he
would wander away from camp In
fit OF abstraction and forget to come
back.
One day while suffering from light
attack of my lifelong friend, sciatica'
I remained in the shack and william
went to work alone. He returned
about sundown and after supper we
sat in front OF the fire and swapped
"reminiscences. Just as we were ull-
dressing for bed william was suddenly
reminded of something. by the way,
pard,, he said. feverish with excite
fent. "we have been so interested paw
in about In the dim recesses Of the past
that | plumb forgot to tell you that
I've found the real sugar on our claim.
came across 1t today, and bless my
dear old soul, but was surprised
And with that he yanked a big mug
get out of his jeans and handed 1t TO
me with all the pride Of a boy with
a new hobby horse. 1t was the geR-
uine stuff and my partner had actually
forgotten all about 1t for hours by my
stemwinder. We we're so delighted
at our unexpected streak OF luck that
we laid violent hands on upon each
other, as old cronies will when over
joyed with new happiness. Our pros
poets wero surely alluring and we
could see ourselves soaring along the
broad avenue that leads to the golden
future.
1t was mighty lonely and desolate
on our claim and William and ] oten
went over to old man Bailey's ranch
TO while away a few hours. The
ranchman had q daughter whose ami
able disposition and style OF beauty
inspired in me the most favorable SEN
| timents. About the time we struck
the yellow metal was making a prac-
tice of dropping in alone a couple
| times a week to chat with Miss Bailey.
While William was wandering around
forgetting things often spent a de-
llghtful hour studying an old railroad
guide and in selecting a wedding tour
hoped to take some day with my
wife, nee Miss Bailey. The young
lady didn't know / was in love with
her, but ! planned TO propose at the
first opportunity. One moonlit night
/ decided to let my partner in on my
secret, as l had said nothing to him
regarding my prospective matrimonial
plans. He was sitting on the small of
his back, his feet propped against the
wall, and complacently pulling at an
old briar pipe.
do you know" I said, by way of
introducing the subject nearest my
heart" that Miss Bailey"
At the mention of her name William
| jumped up and almost drove his head
through the roof of our palatial abode.
After indulging in certain vituperative
comments that seemed irrelevant un-
der the circumstances, he said ex-
citedly: Gracious, pard, I'm glad you
spoke"
couldn't make head nor tail Of
what he was trying to lead up to, and
thinking that the handspring of his
mental works had given way l in
quired solicitously: whats the mat
ter SON.?
whats the matter!" he yelled, hop
ping around the room and looking
wildeyed. why, me and Miss Bailey
was married this mornin' and I'm a
baldheaded old pieplant ef l hadn't
forgot all about IT,"
He GRABBED his hat and when looked
out OF the door ten seconds later Will
liam seemed to be about half a mile
up the road leading TO old man Bail
ey's home.-Elmer Rigdon.