The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-11-13
A FOOLISH AMUSEMENT.

OF all the senseless amusements that
a gullible public is called upon to pat
ronize, we can call to mind none with so
little attractiveness as what is termed a
"quarter-mile walk" Even the body
wreeking six-days go-as-you-please con-
test is preferable to it. We will
take look into the halls where two Of
these exhibitions are being given in
Portland. Upon entering, the visitor
crosses the track composed Of soil and
sawdust packed DOWN into the center
Of the room, aud fluids himself in a
mixed crowd of spectators-men and
women Of all degrees Of respectability,
from bankers, brokers and merchants
down to gamblers, short-card thieves
and bar-room loungers; from rich, re-
fined, elegantly-dressed ladies down to
the painted Outcast. Presently, at the
tap Of bell, curtain is drawn aside
from a room bordering on the track, and
there appears a form clad in a regu-
lation pedestrian costume, made to give
free play to all the muscles OF the body.
The costume consists of a walking dress
reaching to the knees, and on the head
is worn jaunty cap. Bright stockings
and low, broad shoes, with scarcely any
heel, complete the outfit. The girl
strides around the track uutil she has
completed a given number of 'laps,"
and then disappears. That is all there
is Of it. In a few minutes another girl
appears, and goes through the same
performance. When the walk has pro-
gressed for several days until the girls
show signs of weariness, the spectacle
grows tiresOme. The visitor pities the
poor victims. Asleep though they be,
every fifteen minutes, night and day,
the bell taps, and they must take the
track and "eover" their "Iaps," though
il be far in the morning, and no specta-
tors are present. Frequently the rounds
are made while the girls are asleep, the
trainers putting them on the track and
accompanying them.
The Spirit Of the Times, which gen.
orally endorses everything Of a sporting
nature, opposes the six-day and quarter
hour contests. There is no great degree
Of skill required the primary requisite
is enough muscular power to wear out
those who are physically weaker.
There is none of the sharp decisiveness
of short contests, and consequently the
element Of sport or pleasure is lacking.
When the Spirit opposes these contests,
they must be foolish indeed But Of
course they will flourish as long as
money can be made by keeping them
before the public. Miss Sherman re-
ceived nearly 81 300 as her share Of the
gate money In the recent six-day walk
in San Francisco. This represents sew
eral years salary for homework or
other domestic services, and Miss Sher-
man will certainly continue to plod
around the sawdust track while il is so
remunerative. Sadie Donley, but six-
teen years of age, was made glad by
over $500 for her six days work in the
same match. The third aud fourth
places took proportionste sums. While
womens' opportunities for earning fair
wages are so meager as now, plenty Of
girls will go the tiresome rounds Of the
track for the good pay that accrues.
It Is amusing to see men, who are
afraid women will be contaminated"
il they deposit a ballot, applaud the
girls as they stride around the tracks.
The gentlemen are interested in the
matches, and therefore are sure that the
fair young pedestriennes are not out OF
their "spheres." How much more
damaging it would be to the modesty OF
| the girls to go to the polls attired in
neat walking suits and deposit ballot,
/ than to make the circle Of the track in
a short dress under the gaze OF the very
men they would meet at the voting
/ places