Evening star., 1947-12-05
This and That
By Charles E. Trnce1DeH


Women said Templeton Jones. Sometimes
are fools.'
The above is not an exact quotation. What
Jones said was bit stronger, but the general
idea is the same.
What women?" we asked. "Be specific"
We'll" continued Jones, some women. Es-
pecially that one that swept by the door of the
public vehicle just as I stepped out
1T was this way. The vehicle stopped, and
started down. My right foot was in the air,
thought had clear path, when suddenly this
woman darted right by the door, trying to get
around the front.
ut was either case Of me ramming her
head-on and probably knocking her down. or
somehow managing to side step her"
I'D like to see you sidestepping the ladies" ;"
we rejoined.
"It wasn't funny" returned Jones, grimly.
ut might have been tragic You see, it was
this way:
Instead Of striking the woman because
couldn't stop, simply placed the fingers Of my
left hand on her shoulder, and gently pushed
myself to one side"
"Oh, oh!' we cried. Gently, eh?"
ut worked. I landed on the pavement, and
did not think she had even noticed my touch.
But that" We added, was where you were
mistaken"
And how?" said Jones, falling into the
vernacular.
when I struck the sidewalk, the woman
stopped, turned around and glared at me-
Madam, am sorry, I said.
"She glared at me. I thought I would say
nothing, and started away. My experience Of
so years riding public vehicles leads me to be-
ieve that often discretion is the better part of
valor."
well, what happened next?" we asked Jones'
That worthy smiled ruefully.
"The woman turned around and kept glaring
at me, so had to say something
What did YOU saw"
II simply repeated my first statement, that
was sorry. Then, when she kept on glaring
tried an explanation
"You were in full retreat we grinned.
mo, held my ground. tried to explain to
her that 1t was choice between striking her
head-on and probably knocking her fiat. or
daintily touching her on the shoulder, so
could spring to one side'
We laughed outright, at this picture, but
Templeton Jones could see no humor in it.
II tell you, was scared. Suddenly it came
over me, what a situation would be in, if she
called for the police
That would have been interesting! I can
picture the papers, Distinguished President of
the Anti-Sneezing Society Jugged Today for
Striking Lady. And think how the boys at the
Office would have taken it!"
Templeton Jones groaned.
Listen to EN- we said. "'Well we'll, I al
ways thought old Temp was sly dog and I
say, Temp, old fellow, was she looker?'"
"It is really dangerous, these days, even to
look at one" suddenly said Templeton Jones.
II think will begin to take off my hat in ele-
vators. Just so can ostentatiously hold it high
with both hands"
you mustn't be afraid of them, Temp, old
boy" we said. They are just jittery, reading
about all the things going on
"a man can't be too careful" said Jones
But what want to know we went on, "is,
what did you finally do?"
Jones laughed shyly.
What could do, after had made my little
speech?" ne answered. II just turned around
and walked away as fast as could and didn't
look back"
"She didn't chase your"
Jones grinned.
mo. thank hssvsn-net yss"