Weak Woman.

Otago Witness, Issue 1894, 9 March 1888, Page 25

Weak Woman.

If ever there was a misnomer, it is that of "the weaker sex" as applied to woman. Where was Samson when Delilah got hold of him ? It is said of one of the bravest and most formidable of pugilists, that would have faced any man that ever lived, that he would fly before his wife's voice like a truant schoolboy fearful of a hiding. A good story is told how that redoubtable champion Tom Spring was once bested by one of "the weaker sex." One afternoon, when Tom was landlord of the Castle Tavern, an Ama-zonian-looking lady, dressed in a black velvet pelisse, entered the house, and called for dinner. A female was rather an unusual sight at that well-known sporting crib. Nevertheless, Bishop, the waiter, was extremely polite, showed her into a private room, and made her acquainted with the contents of the larder. She ordered lamb chops, and plenty of them. Half an hour afterwards Bishop went to his master. " Well, I'm blowcd, guvnor," remarked the faithful servitor, lifting up his hands, "if ever I seed anybody eat as that blowen does ; two pounds of lamb chops at the werry least, a quart o' cider, a pot o' stout, and I've just took her in a second stiff glass of brandy hot ! " Done,

The lady, having put away the eatables and drinkables, rose to depart. Bishop presented the bill. " What the devil d'ye mean ? " demanded the Amazon, and she whirled a formidable arm in such close proximity to the waiter's nose that he shrank back. "I'll pay next time I'm passing." Feeling himself quite incapable of coping with this she-dragon, Bishop called lustily for his mastei, and told him the lady refused to settle the bill. •' I expect you to pay, ma'am," said Tom, sturdily. "Then you'll be d d well disappointed," was the reply, the " lady " not being in the least intimidated by the frown of the ex-champion. Tom cast a look down towards her feet, in the hope of spying a masculine boot, thinking it might be a man in disguise, but found no satisfaction there. "Do you know Billy Waterhouse, the great coach proprietor, or Jack White, the coachman?" demanded the virago. Tom had to confess his ignorance of both those gentlemen. "Then you're a know-nothing ass, and not worth talking to. They're coming to tea with me to-night, and I'll tell them to come and pay you. Now, out of the way, young man," and with a swing of her arm she sent Bishop flying, leaving Tom scratching his head, and half amused, half riled at the way in which he had been done by " weak woman."