The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-03
SAVE HIM"
loriginai.l

would bc apt to choose a commonplace
occupation. They were working In O
cotton mill on small wages, when
Kenerson noticed the wages paid 70
divers and proposed TO Fowler. with
whom he had become very intimate
tSat they should learn how TO dive.
They left the mill and, entering the
service OF wrecking company, soon
became the most daring among the
company's divers.
Meanwhile Kenerson married, and
II was said that the marriage was a
sad blow to Fowler. But this was
made up merely from observation, for
neither Fowler nor Mrs. Nancy Ken.
erson ever said q word TO any one
as TO how either regarded the other,
and, as for Nancy. she chose Tom Ken.
erson. However this may be, the two
men becnme stronger friends each
year until they were more like broth.
erB than friends. Ned Fowler was Of.
ten a guest at the Renersons' and al
ways conducted himself toward his
! friends wife honorably.
Ten years after the two men entered
the diving profession Fowler was still
In the service Of the wrecking com.
pany. while Kenerson engaged him.
self for odd Jobs requiring a man Of
great nerve and experience. for which
he received large pay.
Ono day Fowler received tele-
gram:
Tom IL caught under big weight at the
Red Jacket wreck Come and save him.
NANCY.
These few words brought up 0 dis
trcsslng picture 10 the diver. He saw
above water men with anxious faces
steadily pumping mir. others eagerly
watching for any sign from the life
line, while perhaps fifty to a hundred
feet below lay his friend, held down
under a mass Of wreckage, hourly get
ting weaker. the signals hourly becom.
Ing fainter.
II was q three hours journey by the
shortest and quickest route, but when
Ned Fowler reached the railroad sta
ton he found locomotive with steam
up ready to take him TO the scene Of the
disaster. and. flying at the rate OF a
mile minute. Il was but two hours
from the time he received the telegram
till he was on the float over the sunkeD !
Red Jacket Nancy was there, wonder.
fully cool outwardly. but Ned saw hy
the imploring glance she gave him how !
she suffered.
Nancy" he whispered, "tell me that,
whether or no save him. you'll believe
did my best"
Save him" was all she would say
In reply.
The helmet was put on. and Fowler.
getting on the ladder soon sank out OF
sight. II was half an hour before he
came back and reported that he bad
found his friend In the hold OF the
steamer pinned under an iron frame
which had slid down upon him while
he was at work. He had taken Toms
hand and by pressure they both knew
well assured him that his old crony
was with him. The difficulty was to
remove the debris. Fowler had at
tempted to do 80, but had failed to stir
the mass, He had come up to get a
rope to attach to It, hoping that those
above might lift II.
Meanwhile the signals on the Me line
we're becoming fainter. Before assum.
ng the helmet n second time Ned whls.
Dered to Nancy. who was now a pic
.urc Of despair:
Nancy. do you believe ! am doing
ny best2"
Save him." was again her sole reply,
The last look those present caught Of
he divers face was that OF one who
lad determined to 60 to his death. He
lad little hope that he would save his
'riend. and he knew that he could not I
ace his friends wife II he came up A
live leaving him dead below He a
ank beneath the surface, cable coil =
N his right arm, which uncolled as he :
Within twenty minutes ,
Ifter he had disappeared be gave the d,
ignal to pull on the rope. A dozen
nen took hold; there was creaklng;
hen the beavers went down on their
'acks In heap-the rope had broken!
Again the diver came up His hel-
act was removed for consultation. I
'owler said that his friend could not Il
Q taken out alive unless II were done c
( once "Get me an anchor chain. a
Q said. ia
There was none on the floats, but In n
q instant boat pulled of to vessel +
rlng near and brought the chain. A.,
was lowered and Ned called for his :,
elmet th l.
"Nancy," be whispered, will you be
ltlshed that have done my best with '
his effortr There will not be time for y
nother." s
"Save him." was still her only reply o.
"If | don't" be replied, ''goodby." n
After awhile-a long whie-the sig Il
nj was given. and this time the chala r.
eld, the debris was removed, and an. n
her signal came to pull up Kenersou, W
Ie came TO the surface his helmet NJ
as removed; he was dead. =,
But no signal came from Fowler. His :,
'pe was pulled up, but nothing came