The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-03-04
HAD TO HAVE A BATH

In the morning of a snltry 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 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 a 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 il
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 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 l must go to the city to.
day. Where is my HAITI"
''Do wait an 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 tn,
worm This had been too fascinating O
spectacle to the unwary professor. He
dashed into the house and back again,
kissed his wife, and, with regretful
glance at her ripping hair and soft blu.
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 OF
two. He may come before / am back. u
She clasped her hands in mock de-
spair.
ooh, don't be alarmed! Just let hin
baN0 Bbbu epuhlllB III putlIub
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 o
way of becoming utterly absorbed in
his studies and then bursting into hel
reflections with remarks which sounded
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 heI
ignorance OH the subject? she asked her.
self.
Manifestly he must take a bath, and
everything possible must be done t.
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 new cake of perfumec
soap.
She eyed it critically. Perhaps his Sc.
we're scientific mind would DO disguised
with such eifeminate luxury.
She would place beside 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 bath worked, and,
with n sigh of relief, went down stairs
to impress the cook that during the ell.
tire afternoon there must be plenty OF
hot water in 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 shelf ut the foot of the bathtub.
Standing out little beyond the others,
as il but just showed in, was Mr..
Smiths own pamphlet on bacteria.
Mrs. Botlkine pinned on the wall some
colored illustrations of various forms
of bacteria and then surveyed the effeo
with the calm satisfaction of genera
who foresees the success of his maneu
yers.
She had done all size could. With thil
virtuous feeling she was able to Z,
about her occupations for the day ant
in the afternoon even hanishod tn
thought of her expected guest enough t.
take Il quiet nap.
She was awakened by knock at he
door, and the maid handed her cart
bearing the seemingly innocent inscrip
ton, NH Warthington Smith"
She fingered outside the drawing
room as long as she dared, and then
putting her trust III the bathroom, walk
ed in and greeted her visitor with
smile of tinfid welcome
He did not look at all alarming. Sh
was surprised To see that he was young
darby handsome and dressed with nor
regard to fashion than the scicntifi
mind generally deigus 10 bestow.
After the first polite commonplace
Mr.. Smith suilingly observed, Pre-
fessor Butkine's recent researches hay
been Of such interest to scientific me
that they must lay him open to a grea
deal Of persecution from inquiring ad
mirers, butt
"Oh, not Mt all, j." she answered ratl
or imruhpla 81 rrtlrr | should sa
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