New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-09
CAPTURED BY THE WOMEN
THE MANHATTAN ATHLETIC CLUB HOUSE
GIVEN OVER TO THEM
POPULARITY OF THE SWIMMING POOL. THE
SHOOTING GALLERY AND OTHER FEAT
UREs OF THE PLACE-EXPERi-
an

E.scES on ~ NOVICE
The stately building. scene OF many conflicts
both wise and otherwise. and during the larger
part OF its career known the home Of the now
defunct Manhattan Athletic Club has for the last
wear somewhat reserbicd the ostracized chameleon
changing It's color-or policv-with Its succeeding
days. But the foreign matter has IN this case
proved fruitful and has apparently come 70 stay
In the lofty halls where formerly heavy tones the
still heavier tread Of ofi-iincs heavy feet, and tho
laugh and Jest peculiarly the clubman's were
the only sounds familiar the place. there now
echo and re-echo the gay voices and the merry
laughter OF women. The soft swish" OF feminnity
rusfies through hall and corridor. and faint.
subtle perfume fingers wnere once the air was
MADE heavy h mans odorous solace OF his many
woes The king is dead; long live tho king.
The question OF the Manhattan Athletic Club
building passing into the hands OF women has be-
come II not yet a settled fact vast deal nearer
being 50 than would have been believed possible
at the time Of its former occupancy Several
months ago n few women were admitted 10 the
swimming pool. and when this wedge was once
fairly started there delay in pressing the
advantage gained. The shootng-gaery was made
use Of; the bowllng-aey. while not regarte! with
special favor being an innovation, was fire.
quently rcsorted to for few hours but the event
ful moment arrived when last barrier was re-
moved and the doors Of the gymnasium yielded 10
the eager pressure and then. indeed. satisfaction
held rs own in the hearts Of the women applicants.
\ real clubhouse. a stately, perfectly equipped
home Of athletes was subject their USE and Its
advantages might possibly be increased
That was several months ago. The few recruits
have mutplicl their wants have Increased AMI have
been made known, infrequently occurs with
the gent,er SEX and 1t has now become posi-
biity for a woman to partake OF an carly break
fast drive TO the clubhouse, and then spend the
entire day In developing or strengthening the gifts
with which nature has supplied her. in giving her
- fiv,fss az n Ion
subsequent to her exer,lons and at the same time
she may be served with dainty luncheon at her
pleasure.
IN THE SWTMMING-POOL.
\ Tribune reporter presented herself recently az
the clubhouse Office AMI expressed her wish to spend
the day and take part in all the pleasures which
the pace afforded. Although I; then some
what early a number OF The regular members had
already arrived but mostly the miniature club
women" accompanied by their nurses. maids. or In
a few cases the mamma or elder sister. who also
appreciated the opportunities afforded for combined
healthfu! exercise and pleasure. The first vsl,
made 70 the pool. which IL in charge Of
nerenced Instructor. Attention was quickly attracted
70 the specially graceful movements OF a fair young
swimmer 10 whom the various motions seemed as
natural as 10 a veritabe naad OF .he deep Observ
ing the expression Of admirng wonder on the face
NJ The newcomer, the young girl, with two
almost imperceptibe movements. approached. and in
answer TO the inquiry To whether II was easy
az IL appeared. laughingly replied;
"Oh yes IL Is now. but II wasn't at first. have
,us, finished my first course. and as simple
as walking Come and try.
Tho invitation quickly accepted. and the
ladder at the side OF the pool descended while
tho bathers smilngly watched the progress OF the
novice A wide belt first passed about the
body and then the ropes attached were lowered
until the frst plunge really taken The feeling |
of confidence and anticipation which had been so
strong the previous moment and the conviction that
easily and gracefully move about in the smooth |
water came a speedy termination. The struggle |
for breath, and the frantic efforts TO clutch the
ladder the pole something anything. were about |
equal II wasn't a delight by any means, and the |
merry laughter OF the others intensified the sense
of failure The thought of flight was uppcrmos |
when there came the consciousness OF two pairs OF
eyes filed with wonder. and an expression closely |
allied to contempt fixed steadily the shrinking
two tiny bits OF humanity. almost infants were |
IDLY moving about close by. evidently Allied with |
surprise at the thought that a 'grOwn-up' person |
should fail In doing what they considered % simple
That was too much: II do or die" thai very |
minute. and another plunge was tafep. Professor
Wilaon afterward explained that the two children |
belong OF the best-known families on Murray /
Hill, and have been brought 10 the pool each morn
ing for some time until now they are really ex-
perts In the art Of swimming.
After the second venture confidence began TO re-
assert itself. and II only short time before
promotion was made from the stationary roQe 70