Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1905 — Why They Were Surprised. [ARTICLE]

Why They Were Surprised.

Sir William Vernon Harcourt is very abseutminded. Going to a dinner on a Monday night, he noticed a look of surprise on the faces of his host and hostess. but thought no more about it. and spent a pleasant evening. On Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday he attended dinners at other houses with the same result, and on Friday, while keeping the list of his engagements for the week, which were marked down in his book, he found that the butler, who was to announce him. was an old acquaintance—had formerly been in his service. The man. however, started back and gazed at him open mouthed. “What’s the matter. John?’ asked the statesman. “Didn't you expect me to dinner?” “Yes, Sir William.” explained the butler, “but it wasn’t tonight. It was for Friday of next week. ” Investigation of the engagement book explained the mystery. Each page noted a week’s engagements. Sir William, in his haste, had turned over two pages and had thns been keeping engagements which only fell due a week later.