Connecticut western news., 1897-10-14
MAN VERSUS. WOMAN.

MAN VERSUS. WOMAN. MT. Gordon Watts had reached that time of life when man becomes kind of walking sportsman s almanac. There was very little in the way of "record times'' and "record distances that MT. Watts did not know. His soul was con- stunned with sport
 To be sure, he spent certain portion of each day in solicitors office, but this was sheer good nature, for it is inn possible to imagine any subject that in- terested him less than law, and it was only in deference to the wishes of his family that he sat on an office stool His real life began when he donned box ing gloves, sat across his machine or was strokiny his club four. MT. Watts was at the height of his masculine prejudice. When the man versus woman subject came up for dis cussion, he had one argument. Can which is held by woman-except, of course, talking?" he would say. Having put this subtle question, he would replace his pipe in his mouth with the satisfied air of man who has disposed of troublesome matter and declines to be bothered with any further argument While the record for every thing was held by "man" MT. Watts failed to see how there could be a doubt as to which was the superior sex. Consequently it was cause of great annoyance to him when one Saturday afternoon lady sprang into the smok- ing apartment in which he reclined on his way to Teddington.
 "This is smoking" said Mr. Watts severely.
 "I'm very sorry" said the girl, who had evidently been running for the train, for she was somewhat out of breath "It can't be helped I had no time to pick and choose.
 The train was an express from Barnes to Teddington, and any ordinary man would have been rather pleased at tete-a-tete with nice looking girl who showed no signs of being prudish1y re- served. Not so MT. Watts. It was an intrusion, an invasion, of his privileges as man. The proper place for wom- an is anywhere you like except in a smoking carriage.
 Do you wish me to put out my piper" he inquired in tone of sarcasm
 'Not at all, ," she said. "In fact, I think will smoke cigarette myself D
 She produced dainty cigarette case, and, having lighted up, became absorb ed in the fashion plate of a ladies' pa- per. MT. Watts returned to his study of Victor Wild's pedigree with bitter scowl on his face
 She was really 8 charming little creature in her white blouse and tan colored belt and gloves. If he had seiz- ed his opportunity and tried to strike up an impromptu irritation it would have been excusable, but he was above that kind of nonsense.
 "Here we are at last,' she said as the train drew up at Teddington. II hope l have not annoyed you very much by sitting in the same carriage. Now, as everybody knows, the exact force of a remark depends entirely on the tone of voice. There was something
  kind of light, semimalicious satire. 'Not at all, ' he said gruf1y. "De- lighted to have your company. It is quite the usual thing for ladies to use smoking carriages.
 It was rather rude, but he was irri- tated No man. likes to be laughed at by woman, especially when he de- serves it.
 MT. Watts strode away with gloomy dignity to the boathouse, where his l skiff was harbored, and, having over hauled it with the ar of an authority, padded leisurely up stream. Half an hour later he found himself alongside the girl he had met in the train. He gave her turnout critical look and was forced to admit it was de- | cidedly neat. She honored him with 0 1 friendly little nod of recognition, to which he responded by lifting his cap very slightly indeed.
 Having taken in all the points of her craft and noticed that she sculled rather prettily, he stretched his back with the idea of passing her.
 1 It was here that trifling surprise | | that the look he bestowed on her and her boat was one of fancied superiority and that she resented it, for as he quick ened his pace she quickened hers and kept alongside.
 Beautiful weather for the time of the year, isn't it?'' she said with that nggravating smile on her lips. | Lovely" he said shortly and set to work seriously to get some pace on the boat, refecting that the sooner he got clear of this "confounded girl" the bet ter.
 Would you like to racer" she said cheerily.
 "Just as you like," he growled | It was early in the season and the river was almost deserted MT. Watts set his teeth and did his best. After 8 few minutes he glanced to the right The lady's boat was no longer on lev el. She led hy about half a length. Pres ently she was clear of him.
 Have you had enough?" she called out.
 "Nop' he roared
 Five minutes later he was by her side At first he thought he had worn her down. but glance at her face told him he was wrong. She was almost aS cool and fresh as when they started. 1T think you will have to consider yourself beaten" she said provokingly. ''To keep that up any longer when you are evidently not in condition would be absurd. '
 Don't trouble about me, he said