ABSENT MINDED GENIUSES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 270, 27 April 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

ABSENT MINDED GENIUSES.

EDISON DISLIKES DINING ALONE AND SOMETIMES FORGETS HE HAS EATEN HIS DINNER.

It is related of Benjamin Franklin that lie was driving along Pennslyvania Avenue in the days when Washington was a village and the avenue was 110 more than a country road, when a sapling was caught between tne wheel and the body of the wagon. Dr. Franklin sat there for some tune, apparently deep in thought. A friend passing asked him what was the matter. "1 was wondering," said the doctor, "how I could get my wagon away from here without cutting down the tree." The absent-mindedness of Fdison is well known. Among the numerous anecdotes told of tne famous inventor is the following: One day, after he had spent many hours in his laboratory on an experiment, lie sat down to dinner, which was served in an adjoining room. One of his assistants was dining with him, for the great ''wizard" dislikes eating alone. After he had helped himself liberally, Edison, lost in thought, finally dropped off into a dose without having touched anything. While he was sleeping his assistant removed his full plate and substituted an empty one. Presently, Edison awoke, and on seeing his plate empty exclaimed: " I'm hanged if I haven't eaten my dinner and forgotten all about it."

Henry Ward Boecher was so absentminded that if he did not have his own persona! hymn-book in the pulpit lie was lost. One of his deacons saw him looking anxiously about one evening. He asked him what lie was looking for. "My hymn-book," said the preacher. "Never mind," said the deacon, "take mine," "No, I want my own," said Mr. Beecher. "1 have the names of all the deacons written in the cover, and if I don't find it I won't know whom to call on for a prayer." One evening the soup served at a dinner did not suit his taste, and he complained to Mrs. Beecher about it. Tho next evening they were dining out and the same kind of soup was served. Mr. Boecher, absent-mindedly, turned to his wife, and remarked: "My dear, I am sorry to say that the soup is a beastly failure."