Morris tribune., 1908-06-06
JIMMY AND JANE

noted mater or women and seldom
spoke to one.
4 Jane. or, more properly, Miss Jane
Green, was called an old maid, lived in
tiny house by herself and had 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 mid
stream fell upon his ears He looked
In the direction of the sound, and then
j, scowl wrinkled his forehead
! "Humph!' he muttered. THAT old
maid, Jane Green, is tryin' to row over
to Ned Browns She'd better be home
drinkin' tea. Most likely she'll manage
to get drowned. What a fuss she
makes. splashin' an dappin' about"
he pulled up his line with an angry
jerk, put fresh worm on the hook
and then cast out the line again with
an outlay of strength quite unneces-
sary unless to give vent to his indigna-
ton.
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 disturb
| ing, and half in wonder, half anger,
Jimmy looked around again.
"Drat the luckr' 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 a
fool woman. I'd like to know what tits
like"
! Just then he heard loud, piercing
scream for help.
! "Let her drownw growled the wo-
man hater savagely. '"There'll be one
less woman. Gosh, she will go down
as sure as fate! Bein' sort of human
critter, s'pose I'll hev to pull her out
or the neighbors II lynch me-"
His own boat happened to be near at
hand, and few rapid strokes brought
him as near the eddy as safety per-
! mitted.
"Herew' cried he grumbsingly as he
threw out a rope. "Ketch hold Of
| Ludt IL you uOu L WANT ~ uIOW H.
Miss Jane had been so occupied with
her fears and struggles that up to this
moment she was unaware that assist
ance had arrived At the sound Of his
voice she turned quickly.
Her hasty movement caused the boat
to go down, but she chung heroically
to the oars and regarded her would be
| rescuer with a look Of horror
'Merciful powers! Jimmy Bradford,
of all men! Lemme drown"
Don't be a tarnation fool, Jane
Green! Ketch hold of that rope an
I'll pull you OUT <.....r+.. =.
'Neverw cried Jane, squirting out
stream of water from her mouth and
padding desperately with both hands
to keen afoat.
"Then I'll pull you out anyhow"
calculated 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
hurriedly hauled in the rope. formed a
slip moose at one end and hurled it over
the half drowned woman's shoulders.
Then he exerted his strength in Wig
orous pull, which Jane resisted with all
her waning powers, and succeeded in
lifting her into the boat
"Oh, dear.'' she gasped. land to
think that I should owe my life to
Jimmy Bradford And then, too much
exhausted to bear up longer. she closed
her eyes and tainted away.
Jimmy drew the boat up on the slop-
ing shore and after carrying Miss Jane
to a sheltered spot beneath a wide
spreading willow tree proceeded to
restore her to consciousness. When
she opened her eyes, the first thing
that met her gaze was Jimmy's face.
you're too plucky woman to feed
fishes on. an too good lookin' too said
Jimmy
James pale face changed in a mo-
ment to deep carnation, and her tone
might have indicated either real or
pretended reproach as she replied:
Shame on you, Jimmy Bradford, to
make fun Of a misfortunate and de-
fenseless woman. I'll go home this
minute"
Il didn't say more'n | meant, Jane
Green, nor more'n I'd say another time.
never knew before that women had
SO much gumption. But if you're bound
to go I'll give you Il 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 in
vald's home. You'd better make YOU
some hot ginger tea at 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
feelings lingering in his breast
"Blest If she amt a plucky one" he
said to himself II never see a Wo-