River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-12-18
A BOAT RACE.
why should Not Women Swim l--A
Reminiscence of Lake George.
[From the N. Y. Times.l

From the N. Y. Times
Is there any reason why women
should not swim Miss Bennett, the
instructess of the free swimming baths,
seems this year to have had no end Of
promising pupils, and at Newport and
Long Branch the number of ladies able
to buffet with the waves was notably on
tho increase. Boston is prominent in
producing ladies who are admirable
swimmers. Many Of these ladies, in
case of an accident, could not only take
the best care of themselves, but they
have gone so far as to instruct them
selves how to save those ignorant of
swim ming. This spring notable case
occurred where young woman from
an interior town in Massachusetts saved
lad of IL from drowning, plunging
into a swift-running river, "accoutred
as she was" and diving twice under
water before accomplishing the rescue.
1t is worth recording that, the fact hay:
ing been reported to the officials Of the
town where the incident happened, it
was proposed to have medal presented
to her. Taking the whole thing in a
mltteroffact way, the young lady re-
fused, not wishing to attract any notO.
riety TO herself; but the ladies Of the
village-her weaker sisters, in physi-
cal sense--in lieu Of a modest toilet,
somewhat damaged by the immersion,
gave the brave girl q handsome dress
and an entire new wardrobe.
We are inclined to think that we
could dispess with trifle Of botany,
or physics, or chemistry, providing our
daughters could better breast the
waves. One pleasant day this summer,
standing among a group OF ladies on
the boat-slip at Lake George, the wind
was blowing freshly, when suddenly
lace shawl was whisked off pretty
girls shoulders, and carried by the
breeze into the lake. Now, had it been
lily much desired by our lady-love,
we might have, twenty-five years ago,
waded into the water first having as
sured ourselves Of its depth, or, by
means of long pole, obtained the COW
eted flower. There was not a boat on
the slip, and feeling provoked at the
accident, and our want of gallantry, We
watched that drowning scarf, now drift
ing fully fifty yards away from US.
ITS really dreadful said the fair
owner of the lace. "therc goes the hor-
rid thing. IL is sadly out Of taste TO
mention what it cost, but that stupid
scarf cost--dear me all my savings Of
six months to purchase at Stewart ;.
Provoking thing! I'm going TO have a
good cry over it. There now, and the
speaker did indulge in few genuine
tears. at was $75." she added, be-
tween her sobs.
"Was that all!' said another lady in
most unsympathetic way, II declare
thought it was cotton lace.
THAT is a remark quite uncalod for,
replied the loser of the shawl, "and is
adding insult to injury. There"
81 only did it, dear, to teach you to
use pin or something to hold the
scarf with, and not to wear expensive
lace Just after breakfast. But it's all
right"
whats all right, Madam!" rather
sharply retorted the aggrieyed one,
considerably nettled.
at is all right, for | am going TO get
your shawl for you, since nobody else
will, and here the speaker looked at
Us. ''0h, you are excused; men of GER
tam age are not expected to be heroic, y
and saying this, befcre We could stop
her, she had gone down the slippery
boat.steps, had waded up to her waist,
and now was out Of her depth, and was
swimming as Justify as a Sandwich
Island girl toward the shawl. Pres.
entity she was up to it. when she caught
it, and with a womau's coquetry, swim.
ming with one hand, with the other had
CONVEX ted the lace into a turban, which
she wound round her head. Here is
praciiealninetcenth century mermaid
for YOU" she cried out. laughing, as
she came in hand over hand. In mo.
mcnt she stood dripping on the slip.
"No, sir, will you be good enough TO 20
to tho hotel and send me my maid {!
and here is your scarf my
dear young lady; II Is not much
hurt; you will spread il out evenly and
Irht il between folds Of botting paper,
with weight on il; and Of course YOU
will kiss me--if you don't mind being
wct-lor having been your Newfound.
land, you know. II was n real froiic !
Catch cold not bic Of it. Learned
the noble art of natation when ] was
years old. II is pretty shawl, and
such rich, flowing pattern, and real
lace; Of course | know that all the
time. for il il had been cotton or imta
ton I give you my word ] shouldn't
have tried 70 rescue il. You See
this was addressed 70 me--''a woman