The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-05
The Women Who Always
Stand in the Way

| Whenever there lis question for a
thing to be done and to be done quick
~, even though the doing answers an
imperative need and urgent haste
enters into every calculation that
points to possible or probable sue
cess. there never seems to he lacking
q woman to stand sauarcly in the way.
and the only way by which Others
burning with the desire for action
must pass.
mo woman who is an obstructlonist
Is unique. In not knowing herself to be
one Her mental force is snuandercd
on trivialties that count for nothing
In bringing about an end in arriving
al q decision, In forming an opinion
or In solving difficult problem. Yet
before progress can be entered on
points that crop up in her brain
totally irrelevant though they may
DO, have to be discussed and borne
with endlessly until the atmosphere
can be cleared
| A woman who gets in the way of
others Intentionally is always a wo-
man without perception or sympathy,
woman in whom ignorance Is blend
ed with intolerance. whose prejudice
blinds here to anything and every
th1ng but her own biased ideas around
which her interests centre. like moths
around the flame of candle
Small Regard for Others.
1 Such a woman has, of course, small
regard for the feelings of others When
she has mounted her hobby she canters
on without Il care for the boredom
she is creating, or the possible harm
she may be doing by breaking the
thread of connection and diverting at
tention from the main point at Issue
An interruption OF such a nature is
frequently the thing of all others shs
desires to bring about so easy is II.
when the habit of putting exaspcrat-
ing difficulties in the way of others
mas been inausurated. to continue il
with malice aforethought
Obstructionists are to be found
everywhere, and in all classes and po-
sitions. When the tendency OF their
comrades is onward they hang back
lf the exercise of good Judgment sug-
gest5 prudence and conservatism they
advocate rashness and foolhardlness:
II liberalty in outlay Is the keynote
they are t!morous as to expense, and.
niggardly as to what they recommend. =
Their attitude pervades all space and
encroaches upon every proposition
which contrasting ingenuity can In
vent for acceptance. Determined on
a policy of opposition, argument or /
persuasion Is so much breath wasted,
and no saving grace Is sufficient to
blend 1t with spirit of cathor1city
and reasonable concession.
Pnssivity Her Forte.
bit of femininity who blocks the
| way does not often carry out her pur
pose by strength of will or cleverness
that Is convincing. But she is a
dreadful person to tilt against, never
theless. An opponent may sometimes
consider that every objection has been
routed and every argument answered.
Perish the idea. For when she pauses
| smiling and, as she thinks triumphant
she is suddenly confronted by an i'm
passive countenance and voice
which assures her: well. what yau
say may be true. but for my part I
think just as ] did and spoke in the
beginning
And the opponent, astonished beyond
measure. finds out that she might as
well box With n feather pillow as Ia
talk sense to any one who travels in
talking in a circle and Invariably joins
her conclusion to her commencement,
welding her first and last word to-
gether
Dead Weight Hard to Lift.
Dead weight Is not thing to be
easily lifted or reckoned with. OBJ
structionsts are intoerable, but they
are mischievous and are by no means
easily put aside or eliminated. 1t re-
qulres all the tact and kindness AMI
charity of those who come in contact
with them to nullify or avoid the re-
suits of what they do and say. as well
as of what they undo and upsay.
Object Lesson in Obstruction.
An instance Illustrating the truth of
the unbending mental quality of wo-
man who was resolved to impress her
idea single-handed upon a body OF y
which she was member. occurred not
long since In convention. A move
ment was decided on that must he
: unanimous to mean what 1t should
and did. When the vote was taken
III standing one woman kept her seat.
alone arose. The meeting paused,
while she was questioned and eS-
!! postulated with. And then it was dis
a covered that this woman was not a
Y delegate and had no right TO the (
i, vote which her great desire in the
q line of opposition had led her ur,-
Willingly to arrogate.
d But she had spoiled the harmony
/, of the occasion. Her one satisfaction
o which she openly proclaimed was that
{ she had vindicated her right of self
I | assertion in the face of an entire body.
d And that Is a privilege which n wu-
: man who blocks the way hugs 10 her
5 hear. and holds to be dearest of all,
THE PASSEis3i.
------- y
n Company Lunche0ns.