Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-11-11

y Hits a snag kerplunk and gets punk,
WHY. she's almost sure to "Darn It'll
Nixon Waterman in L. A. W. Bulletin.
MAN VERSUS WOMAN.
Mr.. 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 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 i'm
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 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 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. 1t 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 It was an
intrusion, an invasion, of his privileges
as a man The proper place for wom-
an is anywhere you like except in a
smoking carriage
"Do you wish me to put out my
pipe?'' he inquired in tone Of sarcasm.
"Not at all" she said. lin fact,
think will smoke cigarette myself. .
| She produced a 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's 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 woult
have been excusable, but he was above
that kind Of nonsense
"Here we are at last, " she said al
the train drew up at Teddington. 81
hope have not annoyed you very much
by sitting in the same carriage.
Now, as everybody knows, the exac'
force of a remark depends entirely OF
the tone Of voice. There was something
very provoking in the way she spoke
, kind of light, semimalicious satire
ssNot at ALL" he said grufhy. DE
lighted to have your company. It i
quite the usual thing for ladies to u.s.
smoking carriages.
It was rather rude, but he was irri
tated. No man likes to be laughed a
by a woman, especially when he de
| serves it.
Mr. Watts strobe away with gloom.
dignity to the boathouse, where hi
skiff was harbored, and, having over
hauled it with the air of an authority
padded leisurely up stream.
Half an hour later he found himsel
: alongside the girl he had met in tn
train. He gave her turnout" critica
look and was forced to admit it was de
! cidedly neat. She honored him with
friendly little nod Of recognition, t
which he responded by lifting his cal
5 very slightly indeed
81 Having taken in all the points Of he
craft and noticed that she sculled rathe
prettily, he stretched his back with tn
idea of passing her.
9 It was here that trif1ing surpris
was in store for Mr.. Watts. It may b
that the look he bestowed on her an,
her boat was one Of fancied superiorit,
and that she resented it, for as he quick
ened his pace she quickened hers ant
kept alongside.
II Beautiful weather for the time o
: the year, isn't it?'' she said with tina
aggravating smile on her lips.
Lovely" he said shortly and set t
work seriously to get some pace on tn
$ boat, rejecting that the sooner he go
] clear of this COMPOUNDED girl" the bet
! ter.
t "Would you like to racer" she sal
. cheerily
"Just as you like, he growled.
It was early in the season and tn
river was almost deserted. Mr.. Watt
, set his teeth and did his best. After
: few minutes he glanced to the right
: The lady's boat was no longer on lev
E Ell. She led by about half a length Pres
entity she was clear of him
'Have you had enough?" she calle'
J sut.
CHOP he roared.
Five minutes later he was by he
side. At first he thought he had worl
her down, but glance at her face toll
him he was wrong She was almost a
cool and fresh as when they started.
st think you will have to conside
+ yourself beaten, I" she said provokingly
!. ITO keep that up any longer when yol