The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-29
HAD TO HAVE A BATH

In the morning of u sultry July day
Professor BOtkino Of the University @,
California was sitting on his front steps
ut Berkeley.
He was delightedly watching the eff
forts of his pet toad to capture a very
large angleworm, and his enjoyment
was enhanced by the fact that his beau.
tiful German wife, who usually declin
ed to interest herself i'll anything which
she even suspected of II connection with
science, was seated beside him, giving
eager little pressures to his hand and
uttering pleased exclamation i'll hcl
pretty foreign accent whenever tho toao
made al extra effort
The worm gave little wriggle as il
began to como ont of the ground, when,
quick rs II flash, the toad made lear
and seized the end of the worm in it,
mouth.
Then began the tug of war. But the
toad was not to be discouraged. 1t jerk
ed and jerkcd until it fairly stood OF
its hind legs. Still it could not dis
lodge the worm.
at this interesting pointn train wins
tied
why, Selma" said tho professor.
there is the train already! had quite
forgotten that l must go to the city to.
day Where is my hat:"
DO wait an instant, dear. Just Sc
what that toad is doingr' 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 tn,
toad gave Il hop, and out camo tn.
worm. This had been too fascinating {
spectacle TO tho unwary professor. He
dashed into the house and back again.
kissed his wife, and, with rcgretfu
glance ut her rippling hair and soft blu,
eyes, started OIL.
Suddenly he rushed back
"Why, dear, " he cried, 81 forgot tc
tell you that Mr.. Smith, the Canadian
who wrote the paper on bacteria, viii
be here this afternoon to stop day o.
two. He may come before l am back. >
She clasped her hands in mock de
spair.
"Oh. don't be alarmed! Just let hin
have good soaking in bathtub
Then he will come out perfectly human
and happy. He's an Englishman, yor
know.
She grew sober us she thought how
ruthlessly science and scientists seemed
to dog her unwilling footsteps Her hus.
band certainly loved her, but he had s
way of becoming utterly absorbed il
his studies and then bursting into hel
reflections with remarks which sounded
perfectly ghoulish.
Now here was this Canadian coming
And how was She 10 bc properly in
tcrcstcd III his old bacteria and not dis
grace her husband by bcraying hcl
ignorance on the subject? she asked her.
self.
Manifestly he must take u bath, and
everything possible must be done tt
make the bathroom attractive, SO that he
would stay there us long rs possible. She
went up stairs, and her own dimplcG
hands got down new cake of pcrfumcd
soap.
She eyed it critically Perhaps his Sc
we're scientific mind would be disgustcd
with such ctfeminatc luxury.
She would place beside it n cake OF
white CASTLE. Then, whatever his tastes
he must be pleased.
She put the alcohol and cologne
bottle within easy reach, got ont smooth
and rough towels and Il 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 he plenty OF
hot water i'll the boiler.
Suddenly Il happy thought struck her
She went into her husbands study and
brought out every book on bactcriology
that she could find. These she ranged
on Il shelf ut the foot of tho bathtub
Standing out little beyond the others
as if but inst showed in. was Mr.
Smiths own pamphlet on bacteria
Mrs. Botkinc pinned OH the wall some
colorcd illustrations OF various form.
of bacteria and then surveyed the effect
with the calm satisfaction of general
who foresees the success of his mancu.
vcrS.
She had done all she could With thi.
virtuous feeling she was able to &c
about her occupations for the day and
in the afternoon even banishcd the
thought of her expected guest enough l.
take Il quiet nap.
She was awakened by a knock ut hcl
door, and the maid handed her card
bearing the seemingly innocent inscrip.
ton, MIR. Worthington Smith.
She fingered outside the drawing
room as long us she dared, and then,
putting her trust i'll the bathroom, walk
ed i'll and greeted her visitor with (.
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