The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-02-09

Battu TO his wife, as. they
M IA stood together in the open
window Of his study, where
they could see ana overhear theiI
nelghhor's children on the lawn below
Two ilttie girls were comparing theil
collections OF buttons. Grace said she
had beautiful new loye-button, and
Louisa showed Grace which was her
touch-button. and then they measured
them together to see which was the
longer
We'll, Mr.. Baitu, anyway it's dinner
time and you must have heard the
bell" teased his wife, affectionately
tugglng ut bis ear.
"Oh, yes | heard the bell, but I'm
observing these children"
Now, I've got a hundred and sixty
here breaks IN the voice of Grace.
And / have seven more than that,
added Louisa after a little calculation.
Mr.. Battu," repeated the wife, with
severe dignity, III you are not going to
dinner. am and Mrs. Battu permit
ted herself TO emphasize her words by
gently slamming the study door as she
passed. out.
II the dear reader" were marr.ed
to Professor Battu, the dear reader
might perhaps have done the same. for
his err.tic ways were irritating to a
rational mind. For instance, when the
professor sat down 10 carve the waiting
mutton, he plunged the fork home in Il
buslness-like way. lifted the knife sci
entitically. and then suddenly gazing
into Mrs. Battu's hopeful face forgot
all about the dinner again. aud began
to expound a notion he had.
Il win not listen to YOU cried Mrs
Battu, who was hungry, until you give
me something to eatg'
"Why, certainly, Amanda and he
began TO slice brlskly
That's the wrong way or the grain.r
she remarked, in tone Of long suffer
ing.
1T might be called foolish, but
think | shan do it, he said slicing
away deliberately with an absent
minded look.
Mrs. Battu forbore to speak at the
instant, but watched him cut and cut
and cut with his mind far away. and
when she could contain herself no
longer she exclaimed
''AIr. Battur'
He paused in innocent surprise.
"Are You saving wood or helping
muttony7
'"rhe latter he replied blandly
"Will you have bit, Now it would
be something like this. In order to
turn this button-sulng craze into
means Of education, would offer al
reward to any girl who should gather
by herself alone string Of 5000. Three
thousand-that's a great many but
tons, Amanda, and any person who has
the industry to collect that many but
tons-deserves a reward"
Next day the Hartford Courant con
tanned an announcement to the effect
that the distinguished scientist, Mr..
Battu, offered a prize OF $50 to any
young lady Of Hartford who would col
lect within the month ending October
4, a string of 1000 different buttons.
Then the young ladies' Of Hartford
culled over all the button bags OF all
their friends. They raided the dry
goods stores and begged or bought a
sample button from every box. They |
wrote to button factories. far and wide |
and these becoming interested, not only |
sent packages Of samples, but turned |
in and manufactured some elegant but |
tons for the exclusive use OF the Battu !
button-strings. There was one which |
Miss Eileen Holbrook sent one com |
pany S3 for. and i was rs fine as a
bronze medal, while Eileen's cousin,
not to be autdone, conspired with an
other company to producs a miniature
portrait on ivory Of AIr Battu himself,
in n cut steel rim. and for this /
unique button she paid s.. Like deyout
the hundreds Of collecting
girls told their buttons instead of f>thelr
beads, every night; and great was the
excitement OF the months last days.
Meantime the instigator Of the fu-
rore forgot all about the matter. ana
day by day went placidly about bis
botanical researches in lis secluded
study and laboratory. Mrs Battu had
gone to New Haven on a visit so his
peace was indeed uninterrupted
But the 4th Of October brought news
from the public AT 7.30 in the morn
ng young lady came darting up the
steps and handed in at the door but
on string marked, Julia Jones, Hart
,ord, 5000 buttons" ana then ran trem-
bling down them and began 10 swallow
/ lump in her throat us she started
llong homeward.
Clarlssa, the maid, brought the string
n and laid it upon the table in front
II Professor Battu, who was eating
breakfast alone.
Julia JONES' he cried when Clar-
ssa had assisted him to recall to his
mind his oifer in the Courant, "Wen!l