Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1894-09-20
HAD TO HAVE A BATH

In the morning Of sultry July day
Professor Botxine of the University of
California was sitting on his front steps
at Berkeley.
He was delightedly watching the ef-
forts of his pet toad to capture very
large angleworm, and his enjoyment
was enhanced by the fact that his beau
tiful German wife, who usually declin-
ed to interest herself in anything which
she even suspected of connection with
science, was seated beside him, giving
eager little pressrres to his hand and
uttering pleased exclamation in her
pretty foreign accent whenever the toad
made an extra effort
The worm gave a little wriggle as it
began to come out of the ground, when,
quick as a fash, the toad made leap
and seized the end of the worm in its
mouth.
Then began the tug Of war. But the
toad was not to be discouraged. 1t jerk
ed and jerked until it fairly stood on
its hind legs. Still it could not dis
lodge the worm.
At this interesting point train whis-
tied.
"Why, Selma. said the professor,
there is the train already I had quite
forgotten that must go to the city to-
day. Where is my hat?''
'sDo wait an instant, dear. Just Sc.
what that toad is doingp' she answer
ed. holding him back.
He glanced down and saw the toad
twisting its legs about until the worm
was wrapped twice around it. Then the
toad gave a hop, and out came the
worm This had been too fascinating a
spectacle to the unwary professor. He
dashed into the house and back again,
kissed his wife, and, with a regretful
glance at her ripping hair and soft blue
eyes, started off.
Suddenly he rushed back.
"Why, DEAR" he cried, II forgot t,
tell you that Mr.. Smith, the Canadian
who wrote the paper on bacteria, will
be here this afternoon to stop a day OF
two. He may come before am back.
She clasped her hands in mock de-
spair.
"Oh. don't be alarmedl Just let him
have good soaking in bathtub.
Then he will come out perfectly human
and happy. He's an Englishman. yot
know"
She grew sober as she thought how
ruthlessly science and scientists seemed
to dog her unwilling footsteps. Her hus
band certainly loved her, but he had
way Of becoming utterly absorbed in
his studies and then bursting into her
reflections with remarks which sounded
perfectly ghoulish.
Now here was this Canadian coming
And how was she to be properly in
terested in his old bacteria and not dis
grace her husband by betraying her
ignorance on the subject? she asked her
self.
Manifestly he must take bath, and
every thing possible must be done t.
make the bathroom attractive, SO that he
would stay there as long as possible. Sh,
went up stairs, and her own dimpled
hands got down new cake of perfumed
soap.
She eyed it critically. Perhaps his Sc
we're scientific mind would be disguised
with such effeminate luxury
She would place beside it cake Of
white CASTLE. Then, whatever his tastes,
he must be pleased
She put the alcohol and a cologne
bottle within easy reach, got out smooth
and rough towels and bath blanket,
saw that the shower bath worked, and,
with sigh Of relief, went down stairs
to impress the cook that during the en-
tire afternoon there must be plenty OF
hot water in the boiler.
Suddenly happy thought struck her.
She went into her husbands study ant
brought out every book on bacteriology
that she could find. These she ranged
on shelf at the foot of the bathtub.
Standing out little beyond the others,
as If but just showed in, was Mr..
Smiths own pamphlet on bacteria.
Mrs. Botkine pinned on the wall some
colored illustrations of various forms
of bacteria and then surveyed the effect
with the calm satisfaction of a general
who foresees the success of his maneu
vers
She had done all she could. With this
virtuous feeling she was able to &c
about her occupations for the day and
in the afternoon even banished the
thought of her expected guest enough tc
take quiet nap.
She was awakened by knock at her
door, and the maid handed her card
bearing the seemingly innocent inscrip
tion, "Mr. Worthington Smith. y
She fingered outside the drawing
room as long as she dared, and then,
putting her trust in the bathroom, walk
ed in and greeted her visitor with 9
smile Of timid welcome.
He did not look at all alarming. She
was surprised to see that he was young,
darkIy handsome and dressed with more
regard to fashion than the scientific
mind generally deigns to bestow.
After the first polite commonplace
Mr.. Smith smilingly observed, ''Pro
fessor Botkine's recent researches have
been Of such interest to scientific men
that they must lay him open to great
deal of persecution from inquiring ad
mirers, but t.
s'Oh, not at all, +" she answered rath-
er incoherently, ''or rather I should say
he likes to be persecuted-that is with
some confusionl he will be delighted
to find you here when he returns. He
was so sorry that he had to 90 to town
for Q few hours. In the meantime /
hope that you will let me look after
you
''Thank you very much. Perhaps you
would be so kind as to explain to me
few things / should like to know about
Professor Botkine's theories on bacte-
riaf"
He was surprised to see deep flush
and . look Of distress come over her
face
Here he was, plunging into science
the very first thing and turning shy be-
sides. Oh, she must send him off to
that bath 1t seemed rather awkward,
but she nerved herself to the effort.
mo, Mr. Smith. she said gayly, II
am sure that could not tell you any
thing on the subject, and cannot think
Of leaving you here alone. You must
let me make you comfortable. / know
that after your journey you would like
q bath .,