The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1897-10-14
MAN VERSUS WOMAN.


time of life when man becomes kind
of walking sportsman S almanac. There
was very little in the way of ''record
tines and record distances that Mr..
Watts did not know. His soul was con-
sumed 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 Difference 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 stroking his club four.
Mr.. 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
anybody tell me of one single record
which is held by a 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 a 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 imam" Mr.. Watts
failed to see how there could be 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. lit can't be helped. 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 a
tete-a-tete with nice looking girl who
showed no signs of being prudishly re-
served Not so Mr.. Watts. 1t was an
intrusion, an invasion, of his privileg es
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.
mot at all, " she said. Sin fact, l
think will smoke a cigarette myself. I"
She produced dainty cigarette case
and, having lighted up, became absorb
ed in the fashion plate of ladies' pa
per. Mr.. Watts returned to his study of
Victor Wild'ss pedigree with bitter
scowl on his face.
She was really a 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. 81
hope l have not annoyed you very much
10y sitting in the same carriage"
Now, as everybody knows, the exact
force of remark depends entirely on
the tone of voice. There was something
very provoking in the way she spoke
a kind of light, semimalicious satire.
ANoU az OH, uO SClu IL DC-
lighted to have your company. 1t 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
l by a woman, especially when he de-
serves it.
Mr.. Watts strobe away with gloomy
dignity to the boathouse, where his
rskiff was harbored, and, having over
hauled it with the air 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 a
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.
1t was here that trifing surprise
was in store for Mr.. Watts. 1t may be
that the looks 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
.aggravating smile on her lips
Lovely" he said shortly and set to
work seriously to get some pace on the
aboat, rejecting that the sooner he got
eclear Of this COMPOUNDED 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 Mr.. Watts
set his teeth and did his best After q
few minutes he glanced to the right.
: The lady's boat was no longer on lev
ell She led by about half a length. Pres
emily she was clear of him.
"HaYs you hAa enoughr' she called
out.
ssNolv he r0aTed.
Five minutes later he was by her
side At first he thought he had worn
.aaei .,eYu. Ut . s.-ncs at her face ted
III