The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-08-29
HAD TO HAVE A BATH

In the morning Of sultry July day
Professor Botkine of the University Of
California was sitting on his front steps
at Berkeley.
He was delightedly watching the eff.
forts Of his pet toad to capture very
large angieworm, 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 a connection with
science, was seated beside him, giving
eager little pressures to his hand anf
uttering pleased exclamation in hei
pretty foreign accent whenever the toad
made an extra effort.
The worm gave little wriggle as il
began to come out of the ground, when,
quick as flash, the toad made q Leaf
and seized the end Of the worm in it,
mouth.
Then began the tug of war But tn,
toad was not to be discouraged. 1t jerk
ed and jerked until it fairly stood OF
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 quit
forgotten that must go to the city to
day. Whereas my hat?"
"Do wait an instant, dear. Just SC
what that toad is doing" she answer
ed, holding him back.
He glanced down and saw the toa
twisting its legs about until the worn
was wrapped twice around it. Then til
toad gave hop, and out came til
worm. This had been too fascinating
spectacle to the unwary professor. H
dashed into the house and back again
kissed his wife, and, with regretfu
glance at her ripping hair and soft blu
eyes, started off.
! Suddenly he rushed back.
"Why, DEAR he cried, II forgot t
tell you that Mr.. Smith, the Canadiai
who wrote the paper on bacteria, vii
be here this afternoon to stop day @
two He may come before l am back.
! She clasped her hands in mock dc
spair.
I "Oh, don't be alarmed! Just let hir
have a good soaking in bathtul
Then he will come out perfectly huma
and happy. He's an Englishman, yo
/ know"
She grew sober as she thought no,
ruthlessly science and scientists SCENE
to dog her unwilling footsteps. Her hus
band certainly loved her, but he had
way Of becoming utterly absorbed i
his studies and then bursting into he
reflections with remarks which sounde
(! 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 he
ignorance ON the subject? she asked her
self.
:. Manifestly he must take bath, an
/ everything possible must be done I
make the bathroom attractive, so that h
would stay there as long as possible Sh
went up stairs, and her own dimple
hands got down new cake of perfume
soap.
She eyed it critically. Perhaps his st
we're scientific mind would be disguise
with such etfeminate luxury.
She would place beside it cake {
white CASTLE Then, whatever his taste!
! he must be pleased.
: She pur the alcohol and a cologu
' bottle within easy reach, got out smoot
i. and rough towels and a bath blanket
saw that the shower bath worked, anC
with a sigh of relief, went down stall
to impress the cook that during the ell
tire afternoon there must be plenty {
hot water in the boiler.
Suddenly happy thought struck he
She went into her husbands study an
;. brought out every book on ba1teriolop
!. that she could find These she range
I on u shelf at the foot of the bathtul
Standing ont little beyond the other
as il but Just showed in, was NJ
Smiths own pamphlet on bacteria.
Mrs Botkine pinned on the wall son
colorcd illustrations of various form
a of bacteria and then surveyed the effe
a with the calm satisfaction of gener
4 who foresees the success of his name,
= yers
I She had done all she could With tn
d virtuous feeling she was able to {
}, about her occupations for the day al
! In the afternoon even banished Il
{ thought of her expected guest enough
e take quiet nap.
: She was awakened by a knock at h
;. door, and the maid handed her cal
g bearing the seemingly innocent insert
8 ton, Mr. Worthington Smith. ..
h She fingered outside the drawn
e room as long as she dared, and the
, putting her trust i'll the bathroom, wal
L ed in and greeted her visitor with
Il FOSTERS