In the Autumn of 18575, Francis E. Butler was a well-known marksman who performed with various traveling variety shows. He would also go from town to town challenging the locals to a $100 bet that he could out-shoot anyone in town, a bet he rarely lost.
On Thanksgiving Day, a local hotel-owner put up the $100 and said he knew of a shootist in his town that could beat the famed Butler. When Butler showed up to the match, he found that his opponent was to be a petitie 15-year-old girl. Butler and the girl each hit 24 shots in a row before Butler finally missed. The girl never did.
Now a lot of men, especially in 1875, would have felt embarrassed, angry, or humiliated to have lost to this young lady in what was exclusively a man's sport. Butler, on the other hand, was smitten. He soon married the girl and the two began touring the country performing their sharpshooting act. The girl would take the stage name Annie Oakley, and would soon have top billing.
This is how a real man reacts to a kick-ass woman like Annie. Real men are not afraid of or repelled by strong, talented, successful women. Real men find those qualities appealing. Real men fall head over heels for smart, tough, independent women. Like Frank Butler did. And like I did.
Frank was the man. I love Annie's story, especially how she fought Hearst's libelous stories punch for punch even though it ended up costing her money.
ReplyDeleteThat's right! Men of Quality do not fear, hate or resent Women of Equality! Great story -- thanks for telling it.
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