Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-13
A MILE IN CITY AND COUNTRY.
Can he walked More Rapidly In the,
Former.

IL have observed a curious thing about
distances said a thoughtful citizen to a
New Orleans Times-Democrat reporter,
and I have heard man persons common
on the same thing. but l have never seen
any satisfactory explanation Of It. In fact,
l suppose nearly every person who has had
an opportunity to contrast conditions as
they exist in cities with the more open
conditions in rural sections has observed
the same thing. At any rate. most men
are inclined to regard the city mile as
somewhat shorter than the country mile.
OF course, there are many things which
will suggest themselves In explanation
OF this matter II we think about IL serl-
ously and yet they are not at all satisfac-
tory when we weigh the problem analytic
ally. Suppose we walk the distance. Along
the line Of the city mile we find many
things which will crowd into the mind,
pictures along the way, pretty trade dis
plays In show windows, handsome build
ings. men and women b%ustling hlther and
thither and a thousand and one other
things which produce a series Of psyche
logical effects which deaden to some ex-
tent the idea OF distance and consequently
the city mile is seemingly shortened. On
the other hand, the country mile to the
NSAebo HNAoOh "hb mas - hO Ndblt AOI
the artistic and who can see no beauty in
the ruggedness OF fence corners and In the
traeements Of the hedges, is simply a long
and barren stretch. But thus far I am
threshing over old straw.
This Is the common view Of the matter
and no doubt these psychological processes
play an important part in determining the
Impressions received with reference to dis
tances under the different conditions as
sumed. But here is the particular thing ]
would like to call attention to: The city
mile will be made in much less time than
the country mile. AS a rule a man will
walk q mile in the city in two-thirds of the
time 1t will take him to walk a mile in
the country. Ordinarily 1t would seem that
the shoe would be on the other foot. There
Is so much more to arrest his attention, I'd
stop him and consume his time. In the
country the way is clear and there is moth
ing for a man to do but hustle for his des-
tination.
"Of course, the walking Is better in the
city because Of good sidewalks and the lift
Of feet is not so heavy. But the main rea-
son for the shorter time required, in my
opinion, is found in the stimulus which
the city pedestrian receives from the ex-
element around him. Everybody is coins
at breakneck speed. Everybody il hustling.
There is noise and hustle and in spite OF
the fact that his attention is arrested and
In spite Of being bumped and jostled about
by men ana women going in opposite direc-
lions, In spite of delays at crossings caused
by passing cars and vehicles of every kind
the pedestrian is worked up to a quicker
movement. Excitement is the thing that
deadens the idea of distance and makes
1t seem SO much shorter in the city thar
In the country and excitement is the thine
which causes a man to walk a mile in the
city In just two-thirds of the time re.
CURED to walk the same distance in the
Country. and the difference between a dir,
road and a paved street for walking pur-
poses has but little to do with it."