The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-07-17
"A RIVER SkIRMISH.

NAhfH ulu tAol hupWs fAAa Soul WAS Col-
suned with sport. To be sure, he spent
acertain portion Of each day in a sollcl-
tors office. but this was sheer good
nature, for It is impossible to Imagine
any subIect that interested 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 boxing gloves. sat
across his machine, or was stroklng his
club four
II WIN be generally found that at this
period OF a mans life he has profound
contempt for the other sex. 1t does not,
as a rule, last long, and as II never does
anybody much harm, Is OF no eonse-
qnence. Mr. Watts was at the height
OF his masculine prejudice. When the
man versus woman subject came up for
discussion he had one argument; Can
anybody-tell me OF one single record
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 dis.
posed OF a troublesome matter, and de-
cline TO be bothered with any further
argument. While the record for every
thing was held by man. Mr.Watts failed
TO see how there could be a doubt as to
which was the superior sex.
Consequently II was a cause of great
annoyance TO him when one Saturday
afternoon lady sprang into the smok-
ing apartment in which he recllned on
hls,way TO Teddington.
TIa una nsnintr fnr n antn ~, the Yt,,ar
and was refreshing his mind In the
meantime with somebody's racing call
endar. As far as Barnes he had had the
carriage TO himself, but Just as the train
was leaving that station the door was
flung open with Jump in here, Miss"
and the intruder came tumbllng into
the carriage.
This Is smoking" said Mr.. Watts
severely,
u am worry sorry" said the girl. who
train. for she was somewhat out OF
breath. at 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
tete-a-tete with nice looking girl who
oA0MNa up bAkAlo VI ptlAlk IT,
served. Not SO Mr. Watts. II was an
intrusion, an invasion OF his privileges
as a man. The proper place for wo-
man is anywhere you like except In
smoking carriage.
do you wish ME to put out my pipe?"
he inquired in tone of sarcasm.
mot at ALL" she said. I'm fact.
think will smoke cigarette myself"
Che r,radunaH a dainty nj rnNta poen
and having lighted one. became alb
paper. Mr. Watts returned to his study
OF Victor wlld's pedigree with bitter
scowl on his face.
She was really charming little crea-
ture in her white blouse and tan colored
aelt and gloves. II he had seized his OPP
portunity and tried TO strike up an i'm.
promtu. Irritation It would have been
exousable. But he was above that kind
Of nonsense.
''Here we are ut last" she said as the
train drew up at TeddIngton. 81 hope
have mot 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
very provoking in the way she spoken
kind OF light, semi satire.ra rc
mt at ALL he said grufly.9 "De-
lighted to have your company II Is
quite the usual thing for ladies' TO use
smoking carriages"
II was rather rude. but he was lrri-
tated. No man likes to be laughed at by
a woman, especially when he deserves
It.
Mr.. Watts strobe away with gloomy
dignity to the boathouse where his sklif
was harbored, and, having overhauled
Il with the air OF an authority, padded
fefsurefy up stream.
Half an hour later he found himself
alongside OF the girl he had met In the
train.
He gave her turnout" a critical look,
and was forced to admit twas decided
Iyneat. She honored him with friend
Iy little nod OF recognition, to which he
replied by lifting his cap very slightly
indeed.
Having taken in all the points OF her
craft and noticed that she sculled rather
prettlly, he stretched his back with the
idea OF passing her.
It was here that n trining surprise was
In store for Mr.. Watts. II may be that
the look he bestowed on her and her
boat was one OF fancied superiority and
that she resented It. for us he quickened
his pace she quickened hers and kept
alongside.
Beautiful weather for the time Of the
year, isn't III" she said with that ag-
gravating smile on her lips
Lovely" he said shortly, and set to
work seriously 10 get some pace on the
boat. rejecting that the sooner he got
clear OF this COMPOUNDED girl" the bet
ter.
"would you like to racer" she said.
cheerily.
Just as you like" he scowled.
II was early In the autumn and tho
river was almost deserted. Mr.. Watts
set his teeth and did his best. After n
few minutes he glanced TO the right.
The lady's boat was no longer on a
level She led by about half a length.
Presently she was clear OF him
Il iR impossible 10 eXaggeraie his NOR
tlficatlon. This glrl-she was only lit
Tie slip OF thing. scarcely up to HIS
shoulder. and not much moro than half
his weight--was leading the way. liter
ally without an effort, whereas no was
straining every nerve.
II was ludlcrous.
Have you had enough?" she called
out,
moi" he reared
Five minutes later he was by her side.
AT first he thought he had worn her
down, but single glance at her face
told him he was wrong. She was almost
as cool and fresh ms when they started.
~ think you will have 90 consider
yourself beaten" she said proyoklnply
ITO koop ihnt up any lonEor WHOM You