ABSENT-MINDED BEGGARS

Franklin Times, Volume XXII, Issue 58, 20 May 1932, Page 3 (Supplement)

ABSENT-MINDED BEGGARS

VERY COMMON IN EVERY-DAY LIFE.

Forgetfulness or absent-minded-ness—is not common to professors. As a matter of fact, most of the stories told about absent-minded professors are grossly libellous —the one, for instance, about the professor who went out on a wet night to post a letter and came back holding it over his head, instead of the umbrella, whrich he had left in the letter-box.

Most of us are forgetful, as, will be found if you attend a lost-property sale in any city. You will then find that travellers have forgotten, or mislaid, everything from umbrellas to perambulators;, and it need occasion you no surprise to see the auctioneer putting up for sale a few odd children !

Forgetfulness is sometimes most annoying, and often most inconvenient. The other day a well-known man in the suburbs of Auckland, whose wife knows his weakness, was preparing to leave for his office. Before bidding him. farewell she asked him if he had his pipe, fountain pen, a handkerchief, and so forth. As has been his custom for years, he replied " Yes" mechanically half a dozen times. Ten minutes later he came hurrying back. He had arrived at the booking office, and there had discovered that he had forgotten to fetch any money. Off he went again, and this time he settled down on the train when he found to his horror that he had left his spectacles at home. There was nothing for it but to return a second time. He had just reached his gate when he felt his spectacles in his pocket!