Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1894-10-02
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 little wriggle as 1t
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
it's hind legs. Still it could not dis
lodge the worm.
At this interesting points train whis-
tied
"Why, Selma" said the professor,
there is the train already! l had quite
forgotten that must 60 to the city to-
day. Where is my hat?''
''Do wait all 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 a regretful
glance at her ripping hair and soft blue
eyes, started off.
Suddenly he rushed back
"Why, DEAR" he cried, II forgot to
tell you that Mr.. 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. y
She clasped her hands in mock de-
spair.
''Oh, don't be alarmed! just let him
have 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, but he had a
way Of becoming utterly absorbed i'll
his studies and then bursting into her
reflections with remarks which sounded
perfectly ghoulish.
Now here was this Canadian comingl
And how was she to be properly i'll
| 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
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 a new cake Of perfumed
soap.
She eyed it critically. Perhaps his Sc
we're scientific mind would be disgusted
with such efeminate luxury.
She would place besiue 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 beth 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 a happy thought struck her
She went into her husbands study and
brought out every book Oh bacteriology
that she could find. These she ranged
on a 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 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 he,
door, and the maid handed her care
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 in and greeted her visitor with 9
smile Of timid welcome.
He did not look at all alarming. Sht
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 commonplace
Mr.. Smith smilingly observed, "Pro
fessor Botkine's recent researches hav,
been Of such interest to scientific mel
that they must lay him open to a grea
deal Of persecution from inquiring ad
mirers, butt
"Oh, not at all, !" she answered rath
or iucoherently, ''or rather should sa,