Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-11-07
HAD TO HAVE A BATH

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 ill anything which she even suspected of connection with science, was seated beside him, giving eager little pressures to his hand and uttering d pleased exclamation i'll her pretty foreign accent whenever the toad made an extra effort.
 The worm gave little wriggle as it began to come out of the ground, when, quick as a flash, the toad made leap and seized the end of the worm ill its. mouth.
 Then began the tug of war. But the toad was not to be discouraged. It jerk cd and jorkcd 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! 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 eu, holding nm Dack-
 He glanced down and saw the toad twisting its legs about until the worm was wrapped twice around it. Then the toad gave q hop, and out came the worm. This had been too fascinating q spectacle to the unwary professor. He dashed into the house and back again, kissed his wife, and, with a regretful glance at her rippling hair and soft blue eyes, started of.
 Suddenly he rushed back.
 "Whv, dear, he cried, II forgot to tell you that Mir Smith, the Canadian who wrote the paper on bacteria, will be here this afternoon to stop day or two. He may come before am back. ''
 She claspcd her hands in mock de spair.
 "Oh. don't be alarmed! Just let him have a good soaking in a bathtub. Then he will come out perfectly human and happy. He's an Englishman, you know.
 She grew sober as she thought how ruthlCSSly science and scientists seemed to dog Ter unwilling footsteps. Her hus- band certainly loved her, but he had q 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 comingt And how was she to be properly in tertsted ill his old bacteria and not dis grace her husband hy bctraying her ignorance on the subject? she asked her self.
 ManifrStly he must take bath, and l,1. ,I 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 a new cake of perfumed soap.
 She eyed 1t critically. Perhaps his se- we're scientific mind would be disgusted with such cffeminate luxury.
 She would place beside it cake of white castillo. Then, whatever his tastes, he must be plcascc.
 She put the alcohol and a cologne bottle within easy reach, got out smooth and rough towels and a bath blanket, saw that the shower bath worked, and, with a sigh of relief, went down stairs to impress the cook that during the en- tire afternoon there must be plenty of hot water i'll the boiler. Suddenly happy thought struck her. She went into her husbands study and brought out every book on bacteriology that she could find. These she ranged on a shelf at the foot of the bathtub. Standing out q little beyond the others, as if but just showed ill, was MT. Smiths own pamphlet on bacteria.
 Mrs. BUtkinc pinned on the wall some l colOrCd illustrations of various forms of bacteria and then surveyed the effect with the calm satisfaction of a general who fOreSteS the success of his maneu- | verS-
 She had done all ske could. With this virtuous feeling she was able to 20 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 a knock at her door, and tho maid handed her card bearing the seemingly innocent inscrip- ton, Mir. WOrthington Smith "
 She lingCred 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, darkIy handsome and dressed with more regard to fashion than the scientific mind generally deigns to bestow.
 After the first polite commonplaces MT. Smith smilingly observed. Pro lessor Botkine's recent researches have been of such interest to scientific men that they must lay him open to a great deal of persecution from inquiring ad- mir,'rs, but
 ''Oh. not at ail, she answered rath- or iu ,oherently, ''Or rather l 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 go to town for a 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 I should like to know about Professor Botkine's theories on bacte ria?''
 He was surprised to see deep fusl and a look of distress come over hei face.
 Here he was. plunging into scienc' the very first thing and turning shy be sides. Oh, she must send him of t that bathI It seemed rather awkward but she nerved herself to the effort
 ''No, Mir. Smith, !" she said gayly, ''. am sure that I could not tell you any thing on the subject, and cannot thinl of leaving you here alone. You mus let me make you comfortable. know that after your journey you would hk' bath.''