Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-12-21
JIMMY AND JANE.

the biped man. Her age was uncertain"
One bright afternoon in September
Jimmy was lounging along the river bank
when the splash of oars in midstream fell
upon his ears. He looked in the direction
of the sound, and then a scowl wrinkled
|. his forehead.
"Humph!' he muttered. THAT old
maid, Jane Green, is tryin to row over to
Ned Browns. She'd better be home
drinkin tea. Most likely she'll manage to
get drowned. What "a fuss she makes,
splashin IN flappin about"
He pulled up his line with an angry
jerk, put a fresh worm on the hook and
then cast out tho line again, with an out
lay of strength quito unnecessary unless
to give vent to his Indignation.
The "splashin an flappin about" in
stead of dying away in the distance as the
boat neared the other side Of the river.
grew louder and more disturbing, and half
in wonder, half anger, Jimmy looked
around again.
"Drat the luck!'' he cried. "If she
amt gone an rowed right smack inter
that eddy, the only one within two miles
at that. If that amt jest like a fool wom-
an, I'd like to know what It's like"
just then his attention was attracted to
his line, and James peril was for a mo-
ment forgotten.
A forcible reminder came in the form of
a loud, piercing scream for help.
There was no question about it, Miss
Jane was in great peril. Her boat, an old
leaky shell, was twirling about, the rapid,
rotary motion causing at frequent inter-
walls foamy waves to splash over it's sides,
and it bade fair to sink in short order.
"Let her drown!' growled the woman
hater savagely. "There'll be one less
Gosh, she will go down as sure
as fate! Bein a sort of human ~critter, 1
s'pose I'll hev to pull her out or the
%neighborsll lynch mo-"
His own boat happened to be near at
hand, and a few rapid strokes brought
him as near the eddy as safety permitted.
"Here!' cried he grumblingly as he
threw out a rope. "Ketch hold of that if
you don't want to drown"
Miss Jane had been so occupied with her
fears and struggles that up to this mo-
ment she was unaware that assistance had
arrived. At the sound of his voice she
turned quickly.
Her hasty movement caused the boa to
60 down, but she chung heroically to the
oars and regarded her would be rescuer
with a look of horror.
"Meroiful powers! Jimmy Bradford,
of all men! Lemme drown!"
Don't be a tarnation fool, Jane Greenl
Fetch hold of that rope, an I'll pull you
out"
"Never!'' cried Jane, squirting out a
stream of water from her mouth and pad
l1iy,0 acnor,to1r, with both Eorle IN boom
afoat.
"Then I'll pull you out, anyhow" ejacu
lated Jimmy. II never knew any livin
woman had such grit. You're too plucky
for fish bait, an I'll save you whether or
no."
Despite James gurgled protests he hur-
riedly hauled in the rope, formed a slip
moose at one end and hurled it over the
half drowned woman's shoulders. Then
he exerted his strength in a vigorous pull,
which Jane resisted with all her waning
powers, and succeeded in lifting her into
the boat.
sob, dear!' she gasped. And to think
that l should owe my life to Jimmy Brad
ford!" And then, too much exhausted to
bear up longer, she closed her eyes and
tainted away.
Jimmy drew the boat up on the sloping
shore and after carrying Miss Jane to a
sheltered spot beneath a wide spreading
willow tree proceeded to restore her to
consciousness. When she opened her eyes,
the first thing that met her gaze was Jill
my's face.
"Waal," said Jane after a moments
thought, Sperhaps 1 was a little too harsh.
/ s'pose there are wuss bein's Oh the face
Of this airth than you be. 1 reckon you'd
ha' better let me drown, though, than to
set all the tongues of scandal Vaughn
against me-"
YOU'RE too plucky a woman to feed
fishes on, an too good lookin too"
James pale face changed in a moment
to q deep carnation, and her tone might
have indicated either real or pretended re-
proach as she replied:
"Shame On you, Jimmy Bradford, to
make fun Of a misfortunate and defense
less woman. I'll go home this minute"
81 didn't say more'n / meant, Jane
Green, nor more'n I'd say another time.
1 never knew before that women had so
much gumption. But if you're bound to
go I'll give you a boost, for you couldn't
get there alone. Here, take my ARM"
Altef CouSiucfttDlc pcIsuholOh oaiio was
at last induced to take his arm, and off
they walked, a most singular looking
couple.
"Now, be careful and see that you don't
take cold after your duckin," said Jimmy
a they reached the invalid's home.
you'd better make you some hot ginger
tea to once. An if you'll agree to it I'll
drop in tomorrow an see how you are"
Jane agreed to it coyly, and Jimmy
turned away with new and strange feel
ings lingering in his breast.
"Blest if she amt a plucky one,' he
said to himself. "I never SEQ q woman
before that had any sense. Sho'a make a
good wife for a Teller that liked women
folks"
But a month later found her the wife Of
a man who did not like women folks, and
that contented individual was no other
than Jimmy Bradford .-Waverley Maya