Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-04-17
ALlFEsAvER TAI.
Some Experiences With Persons
Rescued From DrcwnIno.

Washington Star: THE drowning of
the entire crew, with the exception of one
man, of Cape Cod life-saving station
during a gale Il short time ago together
with the loss of the crew of the wrecked
vessel, the rescuing lifeboal c4psiz.ng IN
tho high surf, is the scVerest casualty the
life-saving service has sustained this.
year said a guard from Atlantic City
at present in the city on his Honeymoon
at Il downtown hotel. 'and it calls to
mind how curicusly. selfish and almost
insanely people Will act when we rescue
them from what would have boon certain
death by drowning in Tie undertow of the
surf at Atlantic City but for our efforts.
This curious but nevertheless existing
streak of ngratitudc In the human make
up crops strangely to the surface during
these times. ] have had my face slapped
by women who We're nearly drowned, and
would have been bu, for my efforts hut
who had strength enough left TO smack
me. because | did not grasp them while
they We're sinking with perhaps the gem
tleness shown in Il ball room, and Who
afterward berated me with as much
vigor and volatility as the salt water and
seaweed in their mouths permitted, ON
ers, upon resaining 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
ster without single word. Others have
been led away da2esl, others hysterical
but very rarely has one had the presence
of mind and the gratitude 10 say even
I thank you. sir for saving my life
Men are more consderate. They seem
to recover their normal senses niore
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 Il drink
or Il cigar. while some will offer lis
money. Others give no voice at all TO
their feelings. The occasion of the CRATE
full gentleman handing the guard $1,000
hll.' or q watch, / have Vet TO see. In
fact, the rich are less proportionately
generous than the poor They seem to
uke their rescue as a matter of course
1t is seldom that people appear to remem-
her how close they We're to death. though
they never forget a slight, or a trtling
personal affront.
People readily pay from SIS 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 it Is our bust
ness, and we are paid salaries. Once
dragged a woman from the surf. She
came back and handed me so cents, saying
she was working girl living in Phla-
delphia, and that that was all she had
over her return ticket. | declined it, OF
course, but when she began tn cry ac-
oepted II TO quiet her She afterward
sent me s.. Poor woman, she was gilt
terng exception to the average Of both
SEXES, for have pulled hundreds literally
out of watcry graves, aud ought To
know. have never spent that new 50
dill the poor Philadelphia working girl
sent me, and ! won't until | ann hunsrier
than am now. value it more than the
uedals | have been awarded