The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-09-19
He DECLARED THAT HE KNEW
ALL ABOUT MICROBES
But Mrs. Knowles Thinks He Had
Some of Them in His Head,

But Mrs. Knowles Thinks lie Had
Some of Them in His Head.
A tall, gaunt man, with hungry ex-
preston and a leather case, walked
into the headquarters of the Profess
sional Woman league, New York city
the other day and asked for Mrs
Knowles. He was dressed entirely in
black, and closely resembled the late
afternoon shadow of a medical stu
dent. The president of the league was
alone in her office, and had the visitor
ushered to her without delay.
Il believe it is you who has charge
of the forthcoming woman's exhibition
in Madison Square Garden" said the
caller, after he had closed the door be-
hind him.
Mrs. Knowles nodded politely
"And all applications for the rental
Of floor space must be made to you?"
yes" answered Mrs. Knowles.
The young fellow sat down.
'Well," he observed, I'D like to rent
about two inches Of space in the arena
for an exhibition of trained microbes
What" exclaimed the lady, push
ing her chair back as far as the west
wall of the room would permit.
Il expected you would be Mortified at
first" the visitor went on, in matter
of-fact tone. Most people have a
prejudice against microbes-a very I'M
reasonable prejudice. Now, l assure
derfully docile and intelligent. The
star of my show, the prettiest little ty-
phoid-fever bacillus you ever saw,
learned to balance himself on his hands
in less than two weeks"
Mrs. Knowles looked about her In
CONSERVATION. The door was closed,
and her vis-a-vis had taken a position
between her and the bell.
"Of course" he continued, earnestly,
mot every bacillus is that clever. The
brother of this genius spent a year in
lew-fever germ, shipped to me from
Central America, that can fold both
legs behind it's neck and whistle Home
Sweet Home through it's teeth"
He evidently was quite serious Mrs.
Knowles remembered that it was con-
sidered wise to humor them.
Wonderful" she said, with appar-
ent admiration.
isn't it?" was the response. But
the best is yet, to come. Let me intro
duce you to my cholera microbes They
are partners, and do a song-and- dance
while the influenza microbes are maxi
ing up" He laid his case on the desk
and opened the lid. Mrs. Knowles sup
pressed a scream upon seeing that the
receptacle was absolutely empty.
Erred" he remarked-I call the ell
der of the two Fred-Fred, let me pre-
sent Mrs. Knowles"
Mrs. Knowles bowed.
"Cholera bacilli have one great point
Of superiority" the man explained;
"they never become conceited. They're
very faithful, too. Notice that little
fellow licking my hand. Affectionate
germ!"
'Im sorry" said Mrs. Knowles, feel
ing that she must get rid of her Wis
itor or faint; 'but I'm afraid we can't
have these at the exhibition. Clever
as they unquestionably are"
90! but you haven't seen the best
Of them yeti" interrupted the i'm
pressarie, Il have just signed a small
pox microbe that can sit on both of its
heads at once. Did you know that
smallpox germs had two heads?"
ut isn't that" Mrs. Knowles averred,
ignoring the query. but observe
that all your bacilli are males. NOW,
as this is to be woman's exhibition
"By George!" exclaimed the visitor,
"By George, I never thought OF that!
Of course, it's impossible! Here I've
been taking UP your time for nothing
I beg your pardon. I'll go right over
and show these to Oscar Hammer
STEM"
He closed his leather case. bowed
low, and left the room. Mrs. Knowles
preserved her self-possession until she
had touched the bell. At this moment
she hasn't quite decided whether she
only a practical joker. = Brooklyn