Omaha daily bee., 1907-04-20

0G '~O
poise, self-command and exquisite grace
and refinement should enter into women's
athletic performances.
II do not mean that girls or women
should spend their time attitudnizing, but
that they should be thoroughly trained in
ease and grace of movement. Women so
drilled never have to be told what to do
with their hands and feet. Whether they
enter a drawing room, preside at a meeting
or do anything else they may be depended
on to be perfectly natural and at ease.
Women are especially har to teach
games BY temper and training they are
intensely individualistic and do not at
first realize the responsibility of being put
on their honor. 1t is hard for them to
understand that they cannot cheat, or
bluff though, or get credit for what they
do not do. They cannot lay the blame on
others or deny their own deeds.
! eat first when they are defeated they
either sneak off in tears or get mad and
refuse to play again. 1t is hard for them
to stand together, bravely congratulating
their successful rivals. Yes, 1t is lack of
self-control and for some reason women
seem to find it hard, much harder than
men, to acquire.
college training should give it, perhaps.
| 1t doesn't; not always; of that had proof
only yesterday.
II saw a college bred woman, far above
the average in intellect, clench her fist
and stand and scream at the top Of her
lungs. She had been defeated and she
simply made up her mind she would not
accept it. Why, she had to, OF course.
~ho., aI,a xrraa IN NoA
her brain, she Gained down and behaved
herself,
Team Work.
but it is the exceptional woman who is
willing to work together with others for
the good Of the gang. They haven't the
gang instinct For success in competitive
games that spirit Of placing the good of
the gang before self must be acquired is
absolutely essential.
"In a new team of girls about the most
noticeable characteristic is their egotism.
! It is 1 want to play basket I want to
score want to play with the bigger
girls 1t wasn't my fault, she did that
Gradually, very gradually, you begin to
notice the use of we instead of that pre-
dominating T.
I'm every game there come opportunities
when a little trick, some petty act, will
| give an advantage. Boys take advantage
of such opportunities oftener than they
should, but they know they are wrong and
feel the disgrace.
Girls seem to look upon it as the right
| thing and take advantage of It openly.
You may read them the rules OF the game,
give them lecture on honor and while
they will agree with you in the abstract
they will contend that in their special case
It was perfectly right. It is that lack
which often makes boys treat girls with
contempt and drives men to despair with
women.
Games try out these qualities in girls
and in that respect believe they are
most beneficial. A game Is well-nagh per-
feet democracy.
Nothing is OF more value officially for
a girl than to md out that money. clothes.
family, prestige and pull are as nothing;
that they do not help her to play ball OF
become a desirable member OF a team
She stands or falls absolutely by what
she is and what she can do and realizes
that the game makes them all equal
but, as 1 said before. for physical de-
velopment prefer moderate and graceful
exercise without the spirit OF competition
and strain. Woman needs vigorous exer-
else less than man. and she profits BY IL
better than man. and she profits more
than man by mild exercise extended over
hong periods.
Dancing the Proper Caper.
walking means more to women than to
men. Dancing above all forms Of exercise
Is best suited to women.
II have four daughters OF my own. They
have been trained in all the hsalthful out
of-door exercises, but I would rather have
them graceful dangers than the basket ball
champions Of the world.
Eyes, there is a choice OF dances. The
best are those that bring about the move
ment OF the whole body. such as the swed-
ish and Russian folk dances. The Spanish
OF those having their origin In the oriental
/ countries.
"Of course except all emotional dances
Such are TO be avoided as IL IL muscular
not emotional exercise that women and
girls need.
II am now engaged In introducing folk
dancing into the public schools OF New
York, and 90 far they have proved very
popular with both the teachers and the pub
lie Girls who have never shown an in
terest In any other form OF physical train
ing are devoted TO dancing. Many OF my
teachers assure me that they look forward
70 their dancing classes IS the most en-
Joyable part Of the week.
MY own daughters, / am thankful 70
say prefer dancing 20 other exercise. I
look upon them as only fair examples OF
U the average healthy girls who hANs been