The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-18
WOMAN RECEIVES DISCOURTESY
FROM RAILWAY EMPLOYEES
IF SHE ASKS QUESTION,

I never realize N what small respect
woman's intelligence is held until am
forced by the exigencies of my fate 10
travel Then I discover that any Ques-
ton a woman asks. however sensible It
may be Of itself, and however necessary
fl may be for her TO have the informa-
ton, is regarded as an evidence CT her
imbecility-
A man may make exactly the same IN
quiries and be answered courteously
which, when coming from a woman. are
received with scorn.
Two weeks ago I stood IN line behind
a man al the railway ticket office in
another city. a number of people stood
behind me, but that did not prevent the
man asking necessary questions about
his train aud it's connections.
The agent answered him quietly and
fully.
Then came my turn. I walked up 70
the window. asked for my ticket, put
down the money for it and ventured to
inquire: Is there a sleeping car on
this train?'
The agent paid no a attention, but
stamped the ticket and handed IL 10 me.
While Re was making change I ventured
again.
. rs there a sleeping car on this train?'
WHAT asked the agent in high and
indignant voice; then. without waiting
to hear the question again, he went on,
mo. lazy, there amt; now viii you step
out Of the way2"
I stepped out Of the way, but / should
like 10 have pulled that boor through
his little window and have cuffed him
s0undly.
And there was a sleeping coach on
the train, but I had no ticket for 1t in
consequence Of this misinfornation and
was sniffed at by the cOnd actor Of it
for not having provided myself with a
berth beforehand.
Thinks She's An Idiot.
II a woman goes TO a bureau OF In
formation to make inquiries she usually
meets there a lauguid young man who
is family amused that she should be
such an idiot as not to know al there
is TO know about a railroad
I heard q, woman the other day talk
ing 70 the manager Of such a place.
She was a sensible-lOolIng person Of
middle age and happened to know was
a professional woman who had trav-
eled widely both IN Europe and this
country.
"WW you tell me which OF these two
/ trains makes connection at Blanks
burg with the express there?" she
asked, exhibiting a marked schedule.
The youth addressed took the paper
/ and looked 1t over careIessIy. then smiI-
ed a mildly cOntemptuOus smile. why.
neither" he said and turned to a friend
standing near and commences an ami
mated conversation on fishing
The midile-aged woman tapped her
foot on the floor in an irritated fash
ion. Surely your road must make con-
nectiOn with some train at Blanks
burg" she said when the young man
had torn his attention from his &C
QUaintance and had recognized her ex-
istence again
mo one said it didn't" he remarked,
haughuIy
The Smile Was "FO'ced."
win you, then, if you have the time
TO spare. be good enough TO tell me
which train to take to meet that other
trainY' asked the petitioner with a
Fascinating smile. but If I ever saw a
/ 70 ced'' grimace it was this one.
The young man took the schedule and
/ looked at II; then he looked again. and
l fancied he was bit shame-faced
/ when ne handed it back. THE second
one ne said, lightly; Il did not notice
/ before"
It is said that the onIooker sees most
I OF the game, and so 1t was that I wait
/ ing for train, observed that the NEXT
I person who went up to that window
vas man. ana mat he, too, wanted TO