The Ordway new era., 1912-05-24

=
Difficulties

I
alton. dissipation, lure and a dis
appointment.
Years ago 1t dawned upon him that
going through the museum was duty
he owed himself and his city. So.
condescendingly one day while out for
a walk he said to himself that he
might as we'll drop in.
McGinnis had also something OF the
feeling OF the amateur when he found
a sign up saying that the museum was
closed for repairs. He walked away
with his respect for the institution In
creased as ones respect always In
creases for the unattainable. II he
could have walked right in he prob
ably never would have thought any.
thing more about 1t. but his curiosity
was now aroused. Right at hand was
wonderful collection OF instructive
things and he was puzzled to know
why people persisted in talking about
stocks and ocean trips and the cost
OF beefsteak and dairy products in.
stead OF holding up their hands and
exclaiming over the marvels at their
gates.
When his cousin John came to town
McGinnis clapped him on the shoui-
der. And now" he said. well 60 and
see the Field museum!"
Cousin John was glad to go. Both
Of them. however. became SO interest.
ed In the cases OF Pompeian relics and
Roman bronze as one goes in that
1t was closing time before they knew
1t.
Those bathtubs certainly were
great" Cousin John said that night.
ITO think that those old boys really
took baths the same as we do!"
McGinnis' brother-in-law was better
educated, 80 when some months later
McGinnis started out to the museum
with him in tow McGinnis felt he was
going to have treat. Having seen
the first cases before, McCinnis took
great pride In pointing out to his rel
ative the old frying pans and vases
and pitchers incrusted with lava.
"Over here" he said. ARE couple
OF bathtubs. too. that they dug up on
a P0mpeian estate"
Sorry" said the attendant. hours
later. tapping McGinnis on the shouI.
der. but it's closing time
1T does beat ALL" McGinnis said as
they started reluctantly homeward,
"how much time one can waste Just Mt
the very start! Didn't you see some
stuffed elephants or something farther
back? Well have to try again some
day!"
leave unexpectedly and McGinnis
| started out alone. Bipps met him on
the way and said he'd like to go. too.
McGinnis laid straight course in the
direction Of the huge elephants mile
or SO farther back. but Bipps collared
him.
Look at those old Roman things!"
he cried enthusiastically. Fancy
their being actually used thousands OF
years ago!"
There's some elephants back
there" McGinnis protested. I'm told
| the collection OF stuffed wild animals
has no equal in the world"
"Jiminy!" chortled Bipps. Look at
the bronze tables and things! And II
here aren't couple OF bathtubs! Say.
those are bigger'n ours today-a fel.
low could take regular swim"
"And cases OF butterflies from India
and Africa and China" pursued the
anxious Mc0innis. Like enameIs in
their color"
They must have had oodies OF wa
ter In those days." said Bipps. Say.
how'd you like a bath"
And Egyptian tiles and inscriptions
and birds from the moon. guess.
and"
"Those bathtubs certainly get me-"
insisted Bipps dreamily. Look at the
effect OF the atmosphere on them! To
think that maybe Nero took a bath
in"
Sorry" said an attendant while
they were still looking at the bath.
tubs. but it's closing time!"
McGinnis stamped out. followed by
Bipps still talking about the tubs.
There's cuttlefish back there
| somewhere" McG'nnis growled. nc.
cusn2lE .'Tweester saw it. SO l
know it's there. 1t has tail like an
aeroplanc propeller and two rudders
that extend back for yards! Yards.
I'm telling you! And a relief map OF
TIE moon that"
The never could have got those
bathtuts into one of our dinky mod
ern flats" was Bipps' triumphant com.
mcnt.
McGinnis went absolutely alone the
next time. He resolved to cut his
dearest friend II he interfered. He
made straight dash from the en-.
trance past the Roman relics that he
could see nights in his slaep and tore
madly for the treasures beyond.
Just as he sighted the African war
elephants and caught n glimpse OF
whole menagerie OF chimpanzees and
goriilas and snakes and musk oxen
ana about n hundred doors leading
IN In Ia Nndio In.