The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-08-29
A BACKWOODS HERO.

A BACKWOODS HERO.
Upon the northern shore Of Lake Su-
perior, struggled in between sun tipped
hills, is a 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 it's uncomfortable cur
rents, jagged hidden rocks and Aprilish
moods.
On this neck of land are scattered a
few houses, all inhabited by lovers of
the sea and natures work and surround
ed 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 i'll fitting,
but sadly behind the times as regards
style and lacking by several inches its
proper length, and OH her head was
drawn down closely over her ears a
mans felt hat. Yet, notwithstanding
these proofs Of the uncouth woman,
there was a certain Undesirable some
thing about her gypsylike face that be-
told the possession of q 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 a ghastliness 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 a small
dock that fioated unsteadily out into the
bay A fat bOttomed boat, with "a splin-
terlike mast and 10 bowsprit, bumped
against the dock now and then with a
soft rubbing and nudging that was as
soothing as mothers evening lullaby.
''It looks pretty threatening, seems to
me-" the girl murmured to herself.
''This here bay is always ready to cut
up its 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 in
the house, | believe I'd give up going
across for the groceries. " Then, MOTTO
ing parting of the thick bushes that
bordered the pathway and catching a
passing glimpse of faded yellow hat,
she called out, Hello, Jimv'
The next moment she was joined by
a stalwart young man, with the whole
some appearance of a combination farm
er and sailor.
"Going to sail over to the point,
Meg?" he asked
eyes. You can go if you want to, -
she replied, with mischievous eyes and
twitching lips. Il guess 'twon't be the
first time that the little dory has carried
two passengers. -
WED better hurry, reckon, - re-
joined Jim. 1.-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 l 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 on the seat in the center
of the boat SO as to lower and raise the
centerboard, as Captain Jim ordered,
and off they sailed like 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
81 say, Meg" began Jim as they
plunged through towers Of foam and
rocked and swayed in the pillows,
"don' you think you re mighty hard on
fellow? Three years is a 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 l
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 l think of you. Come, now,
tell me your reasons for this three years
waiting business.
Meg answered slowly and with irritating
deliberation. But, you see, that year
at Miss Bankers spoiled me. Even if l
was nething but parlor maid, I got
some ideas in my head that stick like SC
many burs. l don't always want to
live this way. I've spent every cent I've
had on the books, and Miss Banker has
helped me lots. l want to be educated
and know how to tall 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,
it makes me think that my world is too
small and cramped to ever grow any
bigger unless I break away soon l love
the water, and the woods, and the damp
earth itself, but am wild to be up and
doing and working at something that
will not end today just as it did yester-
day and will again tomorrow. p
A violent breeze struck the small dory
just then, tipping it perilously and send
ing the girls hair flying in still wilder
fashion. 1t was soon followed by anoth-
er, and the third raised the small sail
until it stood round and erect like fun