Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-10-11
A BACKWOODS HERO.

A BACk WUUDS HERU.
Upon the northern shore of Lake Su-
perior, struggled in between sun tipped
hills, is small village known best for
its numbering and shipping industries.
A long neck Of narrow land forms a
natural breakwater and thus guards and
protects the small town from Neptune's
wrath. The harbor is scarcely more than
two miles wide and four long, but is
celebrated for its uncomfortable cur
rents, jagged hidden rocks and Aprilish
moods.
On this neck of land are scattered
few houses, all inhabited by lovers Of
the sea and natures work and surround
cd by dense groves Of swaying pines.
One day few years ago there came
from one of these houses dark eyed
young woman whose skin was rough
ened from the fierce lake winds and
whose hands showed only too plainly
that hard, coarse work befell her lot.
Her boots were heavy, like those of a
man. Her gown was not only ill fitting,
but sadly behind the times as regards
style and lacking by several inches its
proper length, and ON her head was
drawn down closely over her ears a
mans felt hat. Yet, notwithstanding
these proofs of tho uncouth woman,
there was certain Undesirable some-
thing about her gypsylike face that be-
told the possession of a fine mind and a
strong, unbending character. 1t was
neither the soft brown eyes nor the
smiling mouth, for her features were ex-
tremely plain, and the straight fringe
of hair that tendri]ed out now and then
from under the curved hat brim gave the
round cheeks aghastliness that remind
ed one shiveringly Of witches and COB
Inns and evil spirits. In her arms she
carried pair Of oars, wrapped in a
small sail. Around her feet frolicked
several kittens, and huge black and
white dog bounded along beside her.
She walked slowly toward small
dock that foated unsteadily out into the
bay A fiat bottomed boat, with splin-
terlike mast and no bowsprit, bumped
against the dock now and then with a
soft rubbing and nudging that was as
soothing as q mothers evening lullaby.
eft looks pretty threatening, seems to
me-" the girl murmured to herself
"This here bay is always ready to cut
up it's monkey shines just when folks
wants it to behave itself, If it WASH t
for daddy coming home tonight, and
mother sick, and nothing much to eat i'll
the house, l believe I'd give up going
across for the groceries. Then, motto.
ing a parting Of the thick bushes that
bordered the pathway and catching a
passing glimpse Of faded yellow hat,
she called out, Hello, Jim!'
The next moment she was joined by
stalwart young man, with the whole
some appearance of combination farm
er and sailor.
"Going to sail over to the point.
Meg?" he asked.
eyes You can 60 if you want to, !"
she replied, with mischievous eyes and
twitching lips. II guess 'twon't be the
first time that the little dory has carried
two passengers. "
"Wed better hurry, reckon" re-
Joined Jim. "The old lake is a-raging,
and the bay looks a bit i'll tempered
now. Well have laundering old storm
before next sunrise, and shouldn't be
surprised if it arrived before midnight. !"
Together they hoisted the sail, adjust
ed the rudder and unfastened the lines.
Jim seated himself in the stern, Meg
dropped down OH the seat i'll the center
Of the boat SO as to lower and raise the
centerboard, as Captain Jim ordered,
and off they sailed like a bird let loose
from captivity. Both were good sailors,
and the simple fact that huge wave
deluged them now and then added zest
to the sport.
II say, Meg" began Jim as they
plunged through towers Of foam and
rocked and swayed in the billows.
"don't you think you re mighty hard Oh
a fellow? Three years is long time,
and time does change folks and things
so. Anyhow don't see what you're
driving at. I've known you since you
were knee high to grasshopper, and
don't like the idea of losing you after
all these years of work and waiting.
Your dad and your mother are willing,
you say you don't dislike me. and you
know what think Of you. Come, now,
tell me your reasons for this three years
waiting business. i"
II suppose my reasons are silly, u
Meg answered slowly and with irritating
deliberstion. "But, you see, that yea,
ct Miss Bankers spoiled me. Even if
was nothing but parlor maid, I got
some ideas in my head that stick like sc
many burs. I don't always want te
live this way. I've spent every cent I've
had on the books, and Miss Banker has
helped me lots. I want to be educated
and know how to talk. I long to be able
to be like the town girls, not SO far as
dress goes, but it's the schooling that
want When read about those clever
women who paint and write and teach,
1t makes me think that my world is toe
small and cramped to ever grow any
bigger unless break away soon. I love
the water, and the woods, and the damn
earth itself, but am wild to be up and
doing and working at something that
will not end today just as 1t did yester.
Az, oud will arvoi,, finn rrnSs, To-