Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-11-16
JIMMY AND JANE.

bed. He was noted hater OF women ana
seldom spoke to one.
Jane, or more properly Miss Jane Green,
was called an old maid, lived in tiny
house by herself and had a holy horror Of
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 locked 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 homo
drinkin tea. Most likely she II manage to
get drowned. What fuss she makes,
splashin an flappin about"
He pulled up his line with an angry
jerk, put fresh worm on the hook and
lay of strength quite unnecessary unless
to give vent to his indignation.
The "splashin an fappin 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 luckp' he cried. eff she
amt gone an rowed right smack inter
that eddy, the only one within two miles
at that. If that amt jest like fool wom-
an, I'd like to know what tits like"
Just then his attention was attracted to
his line, and James peril was for mo-
| ment forgotten.
A forcible reminder came in the form OF
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 its sides,
and it babe fair to sink in short order.
"Let her drownl" growled the woman
hater savagely. "Theren be one less
woman. Gosh, she will go down as sure
| as fatel Bein q sort of human critter,
s'pose I'll hev to pull her out or the
neighbors'n lynch me-"
His own boat happened to be near at
hand, and a few rapid strokes brought
him as near the eddy as safety permitted
"Herep' cried he grumblingly as he
threw out 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 boat to
| 60 down, but she chung heroically to the
| oars and regarded her would be rescuer
| with look of horror.
"Merciful powers Jimmy Bradford,
Of all meni Lemme drownp'
"Don't be tarnation fool, Jane Greeni
Ketch hold of that rope, an I'll pull you
| out"
"Neverl' cried Jane, squirting out a
stream of water from her mouth and pad
| ding desperately with both hands to keep
| af1oat.
"Then I'll pull you out, anyhow, +" ejacu-
| lated Jimmy. II never knew any Twin
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 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.
ooh, dearr' she gasped. "And to think
| that should owe my life to Jimmy Brad
| fordl" 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 wide spreading
willow tree proceeded to restore her to
consciousness. When she opened her eyes,
the first thing that met her gaze was jim
my's face.
"Waal," said Jane after a moments
thought, perhaps I was q little too harsh.
/ s'pose there are wuss bein's on the face
of this airth than you be. / reckon you
ha' better let me drown, though, than to
set all the tongues of scandal Vaughn
against me-"
You're too plucky woman to feed
fishes on, an too good lookin too"
James pale face changed in moment
to 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 1 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"
After considerable persuasion Jane was
at last induced to take his arm, and off
they walked, most singular looking
couple.
NOW, be careful and see that you don t
take cold after your duckin," said Jimmy
as 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 plucky one" he
said to himself. II never see a woman
before that had any sense. She'd make a
good wife for Teller that liked women
folks"
But month later found her the wife of
q man who did not like women folks, and
that contented individual was no other
than Jimmy Bradford. Maya
zine
Queer WAYS of the Coyftes.