Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1897-10-02
MAN VS.. WOMAN.

MI. 0OIuOu w dIIS udu ACdCACu tAos
line of life when a man becomes a
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 consumed with sport.
To be sure he spent certain portion
of each day in as0licitor's Office, but
this was sheer good nature, for it is
impossible to imagine any subject 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 dom
ned boxing gloves, sat across his ma
chine or was stroking his club four.
Mr.. Watts was at the height of mas
culine 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 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 man who
has disposed of troublesome matter
and declines to be bothered with any
further argument. While the record
for everything was held by man." MIR.
Watts failed to see how there could he
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
smoking apartment in which he reclin-
ed 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 ordi-
nary man would have been rather
pleased at a tete-a-tete with nice
looking girl who showed no signs Of
being prudishly reserved Not so MI.
Watts. 1t was an intrusion, an inva-
sion of his privileges as a man. The
proper place for woman is anywhere
you like except in smoking carriage.
DO you wish me to put out my
pipe?" he inquired, in a tone of sar-
casm.
Not at ALL" she said. "In fact, l
think will smoke cigarette myself. "
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's pedigree with bit
ter scowl on his face.
She was really charming little crea-
ture in her white blouse and tan-col-
ored belt and gloves. If he had seized
his opportunity and tried to strike up
an impromptu Irritation it would have
been excusable. But he was above that
kind of nonsence.
Here we are at last" she said as the
train drew up at Teddington. Il hope
l have not annoyed you very much by
sitting in the same carriage"
Now, as everybody knows, the exact
force of remark depends entirely on
thing very provoking in the way she
satire.
mot at ALL" he said gruff1y. de
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 al
by woman, especially when he de-
serves it.
Mr.. Watts strobe away with gloomy
dignity to the boathouse, where his
skiff 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 thu
train. He gave her turnout" a criti
cal look, and was forced to admit i
was decidedly neat. She honored hin
with friendly little nod of recogni
ton, to which he responded by liftin,
his cap very slightly indeed.
Having taken in all the points of he
craft and noticed that she sculled rath
er prettily, he stretched his back will
the idea Of passing her.
1t was here that a trif1ing surpris
was in store for Mr.. Watts. 1t ma
be that the look he bestowed on he
and her boat was one of fancied su
periority and that she resented it, TO
as he quickened his pace she Quickene
hers and kept alongside.
Beautiful weather for the time @
| lAC COL Acu I IL SAC odlu, Will IuC
aggravating smile on her lips.
: Lovely" he said shortly, and set t
J work seriously to get some pace on tn
boat, rejecting that the sooner he &c
, clear of this COMPOUNDED girl" the bel
: ter.
Would you like to racer" she salt
cheerily.
{ Just as you like" he growled.
l 1t was early in the season, and tn
river was almost deserted. Mr.. Watt
t set his teeth and did his best. After
/ few minutes he glanced to the RICH
The lady's boat was no longer on
o level. She led by about half lengtl
+ Presently she was clear of him.
a Have you had enough?" she calle
q out.
mol" he roared.
n Five minutes later he was by h,
8 side. At first he thought he had VOL
d her down, but glance at her face to
e him he was wrong. She was almo
as cool and fresh as when they starte
II think you will have to consid
yourself BEATEN" she said provokingl
: ITO keep that up any longer when "
are evidently not In condition wou
Q be absurd"
u Don't trouble about me-" he sal
X angrily. 81 know l haven't got 20
e pace, but at least I'll keep going
j. long"