The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-10

Mountaineering, said Mr. BERTHE Val
lance, in the tone of one stating an in
disputable fact, lis no occupation for
women"
There was a slight rustic among the
guests assembled in the salon of the most
popular hotel in Schwarzenberg. a little
known village of the higher Swiss Alps
which dominated as it is by two splendid
and highly dangerous peaks and many of
somewhat inferior height and less dan
ger, is mostly known to and frequented
by ardent enthusiasts OF mountaineering
and the rustic OF excitement was due
to the fact that Miss Grimm, the ardent
and well-known advocate of wornen's
rights and president Of countless wom-
ems societies, was present.
Everyone felt that Nj Vallance's
speech was nothing short of a direct chal-
lengc to Miss Grimm, ana no one was
surprised when she took it up.
everything IS suitable occupation
1or q woman as long AS she does IL thor
ouShly and well, and harms neither her
self nor anyone else she said taking of
her spectacies and looking fixcdly into
Mr.. Nallance's handsome IA p In Il few
words. TINS was her gospel, and not such
Dad one, either, ana she was known 70
I'VE up TO II, too, which Is the great test
But the superiority. physical and men
lsI, OF me masculine Sex was as much
BERTHE NallanCc's hobby as was the ,0llaI-
fly of the feminine that Of Miss Grimm.
ana he sat up in his chair and warmed
70 the discussion. Both Miss Grimm and
he had been staying IN the hotel over a
week and many a spar had they enjoyed
over their after-Ciaucr coffee and cigar
ette-it made his blood boil. but for sim
pie cOurtesys sake he had 10 offer her
one OF his favorite Egyptian blend now
and then. And she. with her advantage
OF years. and reading, and experience
thought him an ignorant and bumpti1us
young fellow, and he thought her blot
on creation.
The young man was silent "A moment.
thinking out a reply that would clinch the
matter and leave him in possession Of
the Held He gave ii out deliberately to
an attentive audience
woman, he sid, possesses neither
the physical strength. the power of en-
uurance, the calnness Of judgment, the
Goodness Of head. the koenness of eye. the
hHHlhtss OF movement. nor any Of the
other innumerable qualifications necessa-
~ TO the expert mountaineer.
Have you ever heard Of Olga Braun? ?"
asked Miss Grimm. by way of retort
he Queen of the Alps. as they call
her. Valance said, with lazy contempt
''Of course ] have"
She assembled Kunchin-jinga. Miss
Grimm went on, and when sh. was over
taken by "a snCw-storm remained alone
at an altitude Of 1900 feet all night. while
her guides went for help"
INDIA IS a very long way on" Valance
suggested, IN his former tone The Him
alaNas are very convenient. and p1Iides'
tales are not very trust gorthy YOU know
indian guides are mortal-and purchase
BILE.
That is not a worthy rctort." said Miss
Grimm. ratner stifiiy.
He FELT somehow that Il was not but he
could not very well deny fatty the feat of
mountaaneer whose name was a house
hold word, and he felt at that moment
that the intrepid woman's splendid
achievement had been planned and car
rieG out with the sole object of his bu-
initiation
what do you think Of the subject
madamZ Valance, to hide his NORTH
cation, turned to young woman who sal
in the window, reading one of the hooks
from the limited hotel library. She had
taken no part IN the conversation: she
had only arrived that morning and her
manner matched her quiet rather ueu-
trail. appearance
Finding herself directly addressed by
the young man she laid down her book
and answered. with pleasant smile and
another question:
Have you ever seen a woman who IS a
mountaineer?"
Yes he said, with angry warmth
'Ier-er-garments were torn and
stained, and her face and hands like
those Of a sweep What can men think
of such women, who forget that their first
care should be TO look charming, to real
fze mans idea Of the beautiful, the rest
ful--the ideal?'
Perhaps she had just come back from
some perious climb; maybe she had faced
Death many times and conquered him.
Perhaps she loved the mountains more