The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-15
PHYSICAL CULTURE IN A CAR. .
The Unobtrusive Washerwomnn Gave Points
to Prof. Blanks Women Pupils.

They were seated in one OF the side-door
cars OF the Seventh avenue Brooklyn trolley
line. One woman was above the average
height, quite stout and probably 40. Her COM
panion was young. not over 20. of delicate
build. with narrow shoulders. fiat chest and a
pinched face that lacked the healthy glow
usually seen in most young women one meets.
They were carrying on an animated conversa-
ton on physical culture. and it was apparent
from the drift OF their talk. rs overheard by the
other passengers. that the younger woman was
n new convert to physical culture as a health
builder and was returning from her first lesson.
The stout woman also took pains to inform her
companion. whom she addressed as My poor
dear" that she was no novice at physical
culture. as attested by her broad shoulders,
well rounded chest and sturdy look.
Yes" went on the stout woman; IT was
Just as delicate. weighed no more and looked
as miserable as you do until 1 took up physical
culture. and it has made n new woman OF me.
l don't mean one Of those new women the
men folks poke fun at. but new in health. and
all that
Il hope I get along.'' replied her companion.
glad of the opportunity to get in a word.
You will. my dear. You will. I'm sure OF
it, answered the stout woman. and then she
went on: What do you think of Prof. Blank =?
Isn't he lovely? Such an intelligent man: SO
refined. and he takes such an interest. l was
very fortunate from the first in being a favorite
pupil. hope he takes to you. my dear
The novice nodded her head as il she hoped
so. too. Here the car stopped to take on a
woman carving a baby. The conductor was
hurryinc along the step on the side of the car
to open the door for her. but the stout woman.
with a look at her companion which plainly
said. Now watch me-, stretched out her arm
and gave the door n shove that opened it with
a loud bang. The young woman gave a little
nervous laugh as an acknowledgment OF her
friends prowess. and then SAID:
"Oh. that's Just grand. How | wish 1 was
strong enough TO do that"
The stout woman bcamed on her companion
It's ali in the forearm. my dear. That is
an arm for Inspection, The young woman
then ventirsd to ask il she might rsei'it.
Certainly. my dear, answered tn" stout
woman as il she were granting an especial
privilege. The young woman, worked her
peating as if TO herself. Lovely. lovely " When
she had finished the stout woman withdrew
the young woman broke out:
May ! grasp your arm again 2
int arm was aTa "a aro QUE tb anu lev ny tHS
the baby opposite looked on with u broad grin.
Neither of the two women saw i. for they were
too busy with the results Of physical culture.
At this, point the young. woman suddenly
awokc from her dreams Of development and
thli ll''T lTltllu lldl inc IieAlt OIIltT WIS lltTS.
GoOd-byS wore being said. and the stout wo-
man was again telling her companion what n
fine man Prof.; Blank was when the conductor
yelled out. Concord street,
The Young woman Jumped up hurriedly.
kissed the stout woman and stood waiting. for
the conductor to come and open the door. when
the stout woman reached out and gave the
door a shove. but II never moved. Then she
tried again, this time putting considerable
force to the shove. Still the door failed to
bulge. The third time she essayed she stood
up with n flushed and disappointed looking
face, and. e~yerting all her strength. Prof.
Blanks ]tavorite pupil tugged aud pulled. but
the door wouldn't open.
Al this J~uncture the woman holding the baby
opposite reached out. grasped the handle Of the
door and opened it without an effort. Every
one in the car began to grin and it turned into
n laugh ms the stout woman said:
81 think / shall get or hero. too
As the two alighted from the ear a man in a
front seat remarked to his friend:
Physical culture for development. Ell? That
woman with the baby there doesn't need phys
ical culture. She probably got her develop
ment over a washtub.'