The herald., 1894-08-19
HAD TO HAVE A BATH

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 pressures 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 flash, 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 q train whis-
tied.
why Selma, " said the professor,
"there is the train alreadyl l had quite
forgotten that ] must go to the city to-
day. Where is my hat?"
do wait an instant, dear. Just see
what that toad is doing!" 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 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 q regretful
glance at her ripping hair and soft blue
eyes, started Oil.
Suddenly he rushed back.
"Why, DEAR" he cried, 81 forgot to
tell you that Mr.. Smith, the Canadiaa
who wrote the paper on bacteria, will
be here this afternoon to stop clay or
two. He may come before am back. ;"
She cla.ped her hands in mock de-
spair.
"Oh, de@t be alarned Just let him
have q good soaking in bathtub.
Then he will come out perfectly human
and happy. He's an Englishman, you
know"
She grew sober as she thought how
ruthlessly science and scientists seemed
to dog her unwilling footsteps Her hus-
band certainly loved her II -.tl,aoaiYoa her az
fefiEc0urlse #iSh 'irf65marks which sounded
perfectly ghoulish.
Now here was this Canadian coming!
And how was she to be properly in
terested i'll 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
everything possible must be done to
make the bathroom attractive, so that he
would stay there as long as possible. She
went up stairs, and her own dimpled
hands got down new cake of perfumed
soap.
She eyed it critically. Perhaps his se-
we're scientific mind would be disgusted
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 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 ell
tire afternoon there must be plenty of
hot water i'll the boiler.
Suddenly a happy thought struck her.
She went into her husbands study and
brought out every book on baoteriology
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 Botlline pinned on the wall some |
colored Illustrations of various forms
of bacteria and then surveyed the effect
with the calm satisfaction Of general |
who foresees the success of his maneu-
vers.
She had done all she could. With this
virtuous feeling she was able to 60
about her occupations for the day and
in the afternoon even banished the
thought of her expected guest enough to
take quiet nap
She was awakened by knock at her
door, and the maid handed her card
bearing the seemingly innocent inscrip-
ton, Mr.. Worthington Smith. "
She fingered outside the drawing
room as long as she dared, and then,
putting her trust in the bathroom, walk
ed i'll and greeted her visitor with a
smile Of timid welcome.
He did not look at all alarming She
was surprised to see that he was young,
darkly handsome and dressed with more
regard to fashion than the scientific
mind generally deigns to bestow.
After the first polite commonplaces
Mr.. Smith smilingly observed, "Pro-
lessor Botkine's recent researches have
been of such interest to scientific men
that they must lay him open to great
ieal of persecution from inquiring ad-
nirers, butt
''Oh, not at all, - she answered rath-
u incoherently, "or rather ! should say
le likes to be persecuted-tha is with
ONE contusionh he will be delighted
o find you here when he returns. He
vas SO sorry that he had to go to town
or few hours. In the meantime I
lope that you will lot me look after
-ou.
Thank you very much. Perhaps you
would be so kind as to explain TO mo n