Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-04-19
A ~LiFESAvER rALkS.
Some Experiences Win Persons
Rescued From DrownIno.

Washington Star: 1.-THE rowning of
the entire crew, with the exception of one
man; OF a Cape Cod l~ife-saving station
during a gale a short time ago, together
with the loss Of the crew OF the wrecked
vessel, the rescuing lifeboat capsizing I'm
the high surf. is the severest casualty the
life-saving service has sustained this
year. said a guard from Atlantic City,
at present in the city on his honeymoon,
at a downtown hotel, and II calls to
mind how curiously, selfish and almost
insanely people will act when we rescue
them from what would have been certain
death by drowning In the undertow of the
surf at Atlantic City but for our efforts.
This curious, but nevertheless existing
streak of ingratitude I'm the human make
up crops strangely to the surface during
these times. i have had my face slapped
by women who were nearly drowned, and
would rave been but for my efforts, but
who had strength enough left TO smack
me. because l did not grasp them while
they were sinking with perhaps the gem
tleness shown in a ball room, and who
afterward berated me with as much
vigor and volubility as the salt water and
W In their mouths permitted. 9th
ers. upon regaining their Consciousness
or when placed upright on their feet on
the beach, have gathered up their drip
ping skirts and ran for their bath houses
as II pursued by an avenging sea mon
ster, without a single word. Others have
been led away daZed, others hysterical,
but very rarely has one had the presence
OF mind and the gratitude TO say even,
Il thank you. sir. for saving my life.
Men are more considerable They seem
to recover their normal senses more
quickly and grasp the situation more
firmly than women. Some will shake our
hands. expressing their thanks, others
will return and invite us to have a drink
or a cigar. while some will offer US
money. Others give no voice at all TO
their feelings. The occasion OF the crate
full gentleman handing the guard a 81, 900
BILL or a watch, l have yet to see. In
fact, the rich are less proportionately
generous than the poor, They seem TO
take their rescue as a matter Of course.
II Is seldom that people appear to remem-
Der how close they were to death. though
they never forget a slight. or a trihing
personal affront.
People readily pay from IS to $1,000 for
the restoration of a lost dog, but will
scarcely bestow "a thank you upon the
man who may save their own lives from
drowning; not that we want or expect
money, or even thanks, as II Is our bust
ness, and we are paid salaries. Once ]
dragged a woman from the surf. She
came back and handed me 80 cents, saying
she was a working girl living In Phila-
delphia, and that that was all she had
over her return ticket. | declined II, OF
course, but when she began to cry ! ac-
cepted II to quiet her, She afterward
sent me IS. Poor woman: she was a gilt
tering exception to the average Of both
sexes, for ! nave pulled hundreds literally
out Of watery graves. and | ought 10
know. ] have never spent that new S.
hill the poor Philadelphia working girI
sent me, and l won't until | am hungrier
than | am now. | value II more than the
Medals | nave been awarded