The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-09-13
BASE INGRATIIUDE.
PERSONS SAVED FROM DROWNING
SELDOM SHOW GRATITUDE.


Them-TIe Popular FaIiacy That Death
by Drowning Is an Easy Takf's- or
It is a serious fact that persons res
cued from drowning are generally I'M
grateful to their rescUers, and seem to
have little appreciation Of the desperate
chances taken to save them. The only
explanation given for this strange in
gratitude is that the person rescued from
drowning has 80 great a horror Of such
death that lie letests everything in con-
nection with il Numerous instances of
ingratitude can be cited 4 man who
was once rescued by Mr.. Story at Prison
Point bridge. in midwinter, endeavored
In every way for d year after the rescue
to secure 1lr. 5tory's place as drawtender
Of the bridge. 4 woman whom the
same brave man saved from death and
cared for during several weeks of sick
ness brought on by her involuntary bath,
proved a miserable migrate. Mr. Story
provided her with a dress belonging to
his wife. heI own having been badly
torn and otherwise damaged when she
fell overheard. She never returned it,
and he has never heard from her since.
NO ROMANCE HIRE
A man was rescued from drowning
after desperate struggle near Tuder's
wharf, Charlestown, several years ago,
and to quiet him it was necessary for the
young man who jumped in after him to
strike him several times and plunge his
head under the water When taken from
the water the man turned upon his
rescuer and demanded satisfaction for
Thorough usage he received and startedi in
to get it. He reckoned without his host,
however, and got what he deserved-a
good pounding.
4 little boy was saved from drowning
at the same place by the same person
shortly afterward When the wharf was
reached he was unconscious. and the life
saver tried to resuscitate lin, which he
succeeded in doing after q half hours
labor The hoy received two slight abra-
sions on his face, a slight bruise on the
forehead and scratch on the neck.
which were caused by the old rough
planks on the wharf. When the boy
was taken to his home his mother, MOTTO
ing the abrasions. asked how he got
them, and being informed, she showered
abuse on the plucly young fellow who
saved her boys life. and to the present
day she has a strong dislike for him.
i young man, drowning in Highland
lake, Norfolk, this state. d few years
ago, was rescued By q companion, taken
ashore and carried to little arbor for
resuscitation. He was revived, and af
terward mingled with the pienickers in
enjoyment. OF course he was congratu-
lated en- his escape from death. and his
rescuer was praised. He was informed
of circumstances connected with the ac-
cident and rescue, and, hearing the life
saver complimensed, enyied him. To-
day this man, brought back, SO to speak,
from the portals.of the unknown here
after. detests the brave fellow who risked
his lie to save Linn.
Cornelius Roach, the brave ferry hand,
has never but once received grateful ac-
acknowledgement for a rescue from those
whom he las saved from watery graves.
Romantic stories sometimes tell of the
hero being rewarded literally by those
whom he las saved, bat they are works
of fiction and not fact. Occasionally
some one who has been snatched from
death rewards his preserver, but these
cases are very rare.
DROWNING = HORRIBLE DEATH.
There is a very popular fallacy that
death by drowning is easy" said well
known expert swimmer a few days ago.
Il have even heard it remarked that it
is an enjoyable death; that sweet music
charms thesenses when death approaches,
and beautiful scenes present themselves
to view. These ideas concerning drown
ing are absurd. Where they originated
cannot say, but it must have been in
the mind Of some foolish person.
Any one who has ever been rescued
from drowning IL an unconscious condi-
ton will agree with me that this sort of
talk is rank nonsense. Once 1 was in the
water 50 long that when rescued it re-
quired forty-hFe minutes work to revive
me, and 1 assure you that my stay I'M
der water was anything but pleasant. In
diving Mt Hittinger's wharf, in the
Charlestown district, several Years ago,
l got caught between two piles, which
were Joined together ike az Inverted Y.
l got leedged in back upward, and was
pretty firmly held there by the strong
ebb current. struggled hard to free
myself, but ny efforts were futile. I
held my breath as long as possible, and
tried in every way to extricate myself. I
cndcayored to swim downward, upward
and Straightforward, but it was a use
less waste Of strength Ny face began
10 grow hot; there was heavy pressure
on my head and body; began to trem-
BE, and was forced to expel the air
from my lungs Then 1 commenced to
smother knew that something must
he done and quickly, too, or should die.
The pressure on my head and body in
creased. was being stranglcd and
crushed to death. Ny head seemed to
crack and split into dozen pieces.
My whole past life rose before me.
thought Of home and everything dear
to me, and Thousand other thoughts
seemed 10 pour into my mind at once.
! cursed 10y luck, and also prayed that
might be freed [ realized that death
was upon me, and wondered what would
come after death. Trightful noises rang
in my cars, which gradually grew to the
volume Of the most terrific thunder
Finally / relapged into insensibility.
When 1 recovered ms. senses 1 was
lying on my back, and there was chok-
ing sensation ia my throat. l opened
my eyes and found myself surrounded