The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-12
The Rescue Mission OF Yellowstone
Lake.

The Rescue Mission Of Yellowstone
AS usually in the case OF a deed so
. shining rs to dazzle the eyes of contem-
poraries, there is some discrepancy in
the accounts OF Vice-President FAIR
BANKs's rescue Of a young woman from
"a watery grave" in Yellowstone Lake,
Yellowstone Park. Wyo. Mr.. FAIR
BANKS heard "a piercing shrek; that
we may take for granted. These shrieks
always pierce, but they are not essen
TALLY different from "a wild scream of
agony" and "one last ~despairing cry
"A low, sobbing wall Of distress" might
seem out of place. Surely a lady with
wet feet when the narrow plank between
her and a watery grave has tipped over
will not be so i'll advised az to give way
to a low wall, accompanied with and
made inarticulate by a sob. Here let
us remember that, in the language of
no mean psychologist, women is rum
creeturs"; also that from long, patient
practice in ground work Mr.. FAIR
BANxs's ears are ~singularly sensitive to
faint vibrations.
Mr.. FAIRBANKS was o the pier. He
was looking over the mountains that
e~ncircle the lake. There was with him
one friend, the hotel keeper, certainly a
fat and prosperous man. Two friends
were with him. He wa alone. He was the
centre Of brilliant company. The pier is
half a mile or a quarter OF a mile long.
IL is several rods long. 1t is long enough
if it is a quarter as long as Buttermilk
CHARLEY. At any rate, he alone or he
and the fat hotel man and the other man
or men heard the piercing shrek, either
directly or by long distance telephone.
He or they started at a mad pace for
the water. Mr.. FAIRBANKS -doffed his
clothes" as he ran. He took off his coat
and hat He shed his garments as he
sprinted." He kept a newspaper in his
hand in his agitation" Nonsensel He
was not agitated. He was as cool as
a cucumber on ice. He didn't stop to
shed his garments. The life saving ser
vice is no dressing and undressing room.
Mr.. FAIRBANKS lightened along that pier.
Observers say that fire flew from his
feet. His white tennis shoes were cal
cined before he reached the end OF the
pier. There, posing all his faculties for
one tremendous effort, he dove madly
into the lake.
How deep was the water? Some au-
thorities say ak feet; some say eight feet;
some say thirty feet. No man of science
will accept an inch less than the last
number. Diving headlong, Mr.. FAIR
BANKS would run aground in less.
Now, putting and late, the hotel keeper
is carried by his wi momentum and
Involuntary into the lake. There he
creates, after an immense temporary sue
ton and whirlpool, a mighty insurgent
wave that sweeps the lady and the hero
safe to shore. -Oh, madam, l trust you
have suffered no inconvenience from
your lacustrine bath, said the hero, drip
ping but glorious. PERsEUs in multi and
come to years Of discretion. Sir, you
are too good. My feet are soaked, and
I'm sure to get rheumatism, but I thank
you all the same
Hand in hand, the rescuer and the
rescued walked back TO the hotel. There
was not a dry eye among the spectators
or adry rag OF the Vice. president. Some
stories say that he carried the lady
in his arms. This, however romantic
and welcome, We must sternly reject.
Save me, ave me, but don't spoil my
clothesl" had been the passionate ad-
junction of ANDRoMEpA. Mr. FAIRBANKS
as a born leader must lead, but he is far
too keen and feet a racer to carry extra
weight.
By a unanimous vote OF the hotel guests
the trustees Of the Carnegie medal fund
were asked to bestow a medal upon Mr..
FAIRBANKS. Is there in all these United
States one soul SO jaundiced, one heart
SO envy bitten, as not TO join in that
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