Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-02-02
THE PROFESSORS STORY
How Professor Battu, the
nent Botanist, Lost a
Won on Buttons

- Battu to his Wlfe, as tieS
M ma stood together in the open
window Of his study, where
they could see and Overhear their
neigbbors children on the lawn below.
Two little girls were comparing their
collections Of buttons. Grace said she
had a beautiful new love-button, ana
Louisa showed Grace which was her
touch button, and then they measured
them together to see which was the
longer.
well, Mr.. Battu anyway it's dinner
time and you must have heard the
bell" teased his wife, atfectlonately,
tugging at his ear.
"Oh. yes, | heard the bell, but I'm
observing these children"
Now, I've got hundred and sixty,
here breaks in the voice of Grace.
And | have seven more than that,
added Louisa after a little calculation.
"Nlr. Battu," repeated the wife, with
severe dignity, IF 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 married
to Professor Battu, the dear reader
might perhaps have done the same, Tor
his err;.tic ways were irritating to
rational mind. For instance, when the
professor sat down to carve the waiting
mutton. he plunged the fork home i'll
business-like way. lifted the knife sci
entitically, and then suddenly gazing
into Mrs. Battu's hopeful face forgot
all about the dinner again. and began
to expound a notion he had.
81 will not listen to YOU, cried Mrs.
Bait, who was hungry, until you give
me something to eat"
why, certainly, Amanda" and he
began to slice briSkly.
That's the wrong way of the Grain.'
she remarked, in tone of long suffer
ting.
1T might be called foolish, but |
think | shall do it," he said, sIicing
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, ana
when she could contain herself no
longer she exclaimed:
"NIr. Battu"
He paused in innocent surprise.
Are you saving wood or helping
mutton:'
"rhe latter" be replied hIandiy'
"Will YOU have Bit Now it would
be something like this. In order to
turn this button-slring craze into Il
means of education, would oher Il
reward to any girl who should gather
by herself alone string of 1000. Three
thousand-that's great many but
tons, Amanda, and any person who mas
the industry to collect that many but
tOns-deserves a reward
Next day the Hartford Courant con
famed 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
Iect within the month ending October
4, a string Of 5000 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
Gent 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 Hobrook sent one com
pany So for, and it was as fine as
bronze medal, while Eieens cousin
not to be outdone, Conspired with an
other company to produce miniature
portrait on ivory of Mr.. Battu hlmself
Enclosed in cut steel rim, and for this
UNIQUE button she paid 50. Like devou
Catholics, the hundreds of collecting
girls told their buttons instead of thei
beads, every night; and great was thu
excitement of the months last days.
Meantime the instigator OF the tu
rore forgot all about the matter, ant
day by day went placidiy about hi
botanical researches in bis secluded
study and laboratory. Mrs. Battu hat
gone to New Haven on visit, so hi
peace was indeed UNA errupted.
But the 4th Of OctO 'rr brought new
from the public. At t.3o in the morn
ing a young lady came dartinS up tn
steps and handed in at the door but
ton string marked, Julia Jones, Hart
ford, 5000 buttons" and then ran trem
bling down them and began to swallow
a lump in her throat as she starte
along homeward
Clarissa, the maid, brought the strin
in and laid it upon the table In from
of Professor Battu, who was eatin
breakfast alone.
Julia Jones'" he cried, when Clal
isya had assisted him to recall to hi
mind his offer in the Courant. "Wel