The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-10-25
MAN VERSUS WOMAN

| WdGIS d1u not know. Ills 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 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 a 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 "It can't be helped. 1 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 a nice looking girl who
showed no signs of being prudishly re-
served. Not SO Mr.. Watts 1t 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 a tone of sarcasm.
''Not at all, =" she said Gin fact,
think l 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 a 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. II
hope have not annoyed you very much
by 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.
"Not at all, F." he said gruffly. "De-
lighted to have your company It is
quite the usual thing for ladies to use
smoking carriages. .
~ was I0bACl IuOGJ puU U6 was LII
tated. No man likes to be laughed at
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 en- authority,
padded leisurely up stream.
I'll L l. L. L q
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
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 a trifing surprise
was in store for Mr.. Watts 1t may be
that the look he bestowed on her and
her boat was one of fanoied 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
boat, rejecting that the sooner he got
clear of this COMPOUNDED girl the bet
ter
would you like to racer" she said
eheerily.
''Just as you like, he growled.
1t was early in the season and the
river was almost deserted. Mr.. Watts
set his teeth and did his best. After a
few minutes he glanced to the right
The lady's boat was no longer ON lev
Ell. She led by about half length. Pres
emily she was clear of him.
Have you had enough" she called
out
"Nol" he reared
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
81 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
angrily II know | haven't got your
pace, but at least I'll keep going as
long"
Nonsense, she answered. "You
couldn't keep it up another half mile,
For one thing, you haven't had the
right sort Of coaching"
This was rather too much for man
who considered himself judge Of form,
but it was true. He was very fairly
good oarsman, with plenty of strength
and pluck, but she had all the finish Of
varsity crack, learned probably from
brother.
"Well, we won't argue about it, he
said rather sulkily "You have beaten
me, so there's an end of it :"
"You dig the water too deep and
don't get forward enough" she con-
tinued, with the aggravating smile still
on her lips. "But shall land here.
Goodby."
She turned her boat toward the shore
and Mr.. Watts continued his way up
stream, an angry and Inundated man.
A train was waiting in the station as
he approached, and he ran for it, jump
ing into the first carriage that caught
his eye 1t was not until he had shut
the door and the train had left the plat
form that he saw what he had done
He had got into compartment re-
served for ladies, and in the corner of
it sat the girl in the white blouse.
81 beg your pardon, he muttered;
didn't notice it was a ladies' car
riage"