The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-01-31

fe S toad rtPv to capture Pspgs
angleworm, and his enjoyment was
enhanced by the fact that his beauti-
full German wife, who usually declined
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 exclama-
tion, in her pretty foreign accent,
whenever the toad made an extra
effort.
The fact was that she, while cutting
roses, had been the one to see the be-
ginning of the contest, and felt the
proper pride of n discoverer. The
toad had been sitting still, looking as
if carved by Japanese artist, and
giving no sign that it saw anything.
The worm gave n little wriggle as it
began to come out of the ground, when,
quick as flash, the toad made n leap
and seized the end of the worm in its
mouth.
Then began a tug-of-war. Every
time that the toad gave pull, the
worm drew back. But the toad was
not to be discouraged. 1t jerked and
ierked until it fairly stood ON its hind
legs. Still, it could not dislodge the
worm.
At this interesting point train
whistled.
"Why, Selma !" said the professor,
''there is the train already. l had
quite forgotten that / must go the city
to-day. Where is my hat?"
''Do wait an instant, dear; Just see
what that toad is doing" she ans
wered, holding him back.
He glanced down and saw the toad
twisting its leg about until the worm
was wrapped twice around it, then the
toad gave n 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, 81 forgot to
tell you that that Mr.. Smith, the Ca
madam, who wrote the paper on
bacteria, will be here this afternoon
to stay a day or two. He may come
before am back"
She clasped her hands in mock
despair. ''But what shall do with
him?" she walled; ''you know can
not talk science and pollywogs !"
"Oh, don't be alarmed. He isn't
so very dried up. just let him have a
good soaking in bath-tub. Then he
will come out perfectly human and
happy. He's an Englishman, you
know" and the professor, with q
laughing glance at his little wife's rue
full expression, threw dignity and his
coat-tails to the winds as he madly ran
down the street, '1ooking like n great
black bird of prey" as Mrs. Botkine
laughingly remarked to herself.
But she grew sober as she thought
how ruthlessly science and scientists
seemed to dog her unwilling footsteps.
Her husband certainly loved her, but
hc had way of becoming utterly
absorbed in his studies, and then burst
ing into her reflections with remarks
which sounded positively ghoulish,
He had appeared only yesterday in hel
own private sanctum carrying a "hor.
rid snake" by the tail, and, although
he had not yet reached the pitch Of
Professor Agassiz-who was said tC
have consigned infant serpents, foI
safe-keeping over night, to his wife''
boots-she did not know where his en-
thusiasm might lead.
'1m half afraid to go to sleep" she
had roguishly said to him one night
"1'm afraid that your deepest interest
even in me is only scientific, and be
ieve you are capable of cutting mt
open to see what queer thing there il
in my heart that 1 love such bookisl
old bear with"
''Now here was this Canadian com
ing And how was she to be properly
interested in his old bacteria and no
disgrace her husband by betraying he
ignorance on the subject?" she askeC
herself.
Manifestly, he must take bath, an(
everything possible must be done t,
make that bathroom attractive, so tina
he should stay there as long as posi-
BILE. She went upstairs, and with he
own dimpled hands got down a .ey
cake of perfumed soap. She eyed j
critically. Perhaps his severe scien
tifc mind would be disgusted Will
such effeminate luxury. Perhaps
who knew?-he might discover ever
in it the presence of bacteria Sh'
had heard it said that q man with
theory finds examples of its truth il
everything about him. Never mind
She would place beside it a cake o
white CASTLE and one of tar soap
Then, whatever his tastes, he must b
pleased. She put the aleohol and