The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-08-08
Mistellantuns.
Which was the Cowardf
u viii YOU bear that. Edwardi"


name Of this person was Logan. A thil
party, also young man, had asked Il
question in a tone Of surprise and regret
Before there was time for response, Loga
said sharply, and in voice Of singing col
tempt:
"You are poor, moan coward, Edwvr
Wilson! Irepeat the words; and If thei
is n particle of manhood about you"
Logan paused for an instant, but quick
added, "you will resent the insult"
Why did he pause? His words had aroui
ed feeling in the breast Of Wilson that b
tnyed itself in his eyes. The word COW
ard in that instant Of time, would hav
moro fittingly applied to James Logan
But, as quickly as the fash leaves the cloud
SO quickly faded the indignant light from
the eyes Of Edward Wilson; what q 6erc
struggle agitated him for the moment.
"We have been fast friends, James," sale
Wilson, calmly. "But even if that wer'
not so, will not strike"
You're afraid"
81 will not deny it. have always beer
afraid to do wrong"
"Poh! Cant and hypocrisy" said th'
other contemptuously.
"You know me better than that, Jane,
Logan; and am sorry that, in your re
sentiment of an imagined wrong, you shoult
50 far forget what is just to my character a.
to charge upon me such mean vices. Ire
ject the implied allegations as fasle."
There was an honest indignation in tn,
manner Of Wilson, that he did not attemp
to repress.
"Do you call me liar " exclaimed Lo
gan, in uncomfortable passion, drawing
back his hand, and making motion as i
be were about to strike the other in thu
face.
Tho eyes of Wilson quailed not, nor wa,
the smallest quiver Of muscle perceptible
From some cause the purpose Of Logan wa,
not executed. Instead Of givinga blow, HI
assailcd his antagonist with words of deeper
insult, seeking thus to provoke an assault
But Wilson was not to be driven from the
citadel in which he entrenched himself.
"If l am a coward, well; )" he said "l
would rather be coward than lay hand
on him have called my friend"
AT this moment light, girlish laughter,
and the ringing Of merry voices reached the
ears Of our excited young men, and their
relations Of antagonism at once changed
Logan walked away in the direction from
which tho voices came, while the other two
remained where they had been standing.
"Why1didn't you knock him DOWN."
said the companion Of Wilson.
The latter, whose face was now very So
Der and very pale, shook his head slowly
He made no other response.
al believe you are coward" exclaimed
the other, impatiently and turning of, he
went in the direction taken by Logan.
The moment Wilson was alone, he seated
himself on the ground, concealed from the
party whose voices had interrupted them,
by large rock, and covering his face with
his hands, continued motionless for several
minutes. How much he suffered in that
little space Of time we will not attempt to
describe. The struggle with his indignan,
impulses had been very severe. He was nc
coward at heart; what was right and hu'
name he was ever ready to do, even at the
risk to himself of both physical and mental
suffering. Clearly conscious was he Of this
Yet the consciousness did not and could no,
protect his feelings from the unjust and
stinging charge Of cowardice so angrily
brought against him. In spite Of his better
reason, he felt humiliated; and there wer,
moments when he half regretted the forbcar
ance that saved the insolent Logan from
punishment. They were but moments o
weakness in the strength Of q manly char
acter he was quickly himself again.
Tho occasion Of this misunderstanding i
briefly told. Wilson made one Of littl
pleasure party from neighboring village
that was spending an afternoon in shad
retreat on the banks Of q mill stream
There were three or four young men and
half dozen maidens; and as II ithappens o.
such occasions, some rivalries were excite
among the former. These should only hay
added piquancy to the merry intercourse c
all parties; and would have done so, ha
not the inpatient temperament Of Loga
carried him little beyond good feelings an
o generous department towards others
without due reflection, yet in no sarcasti
spirit, Edward made a remark on some az
of Logan that irritated him exceedingly
An angry spot burned instantly on h
check, and he replied with words Of cuttin
insult, so cutting that all present expecte
nothing less than blow from Wilson ,
his answer to the remark. And I, deal
blow was his first impulse; and it require
moro courage to do this than to have stricl
On the insolent young man to the groun,
, A moment or two Wilson struggled wi,
himself, and then moved slowly away.
His flushed and then palnS face, his qui
: cring lips and unsteady eyes, left on d
; minds Of all who witnessed the scene an il
preston somewhat unfavorable. Partakir
Of tho indignant excitement Of the momen
: many Of those present looked for the insta
: punishment Of Logan for his unjusti6at
insult; when, therefore, they saw Wills
9 turn away without even defiant answs
Q and heard the low snccringly uttered wor
y 4 coward from the lips Of Logan, they &
y that there was craven sprrit about I
Q young man. A coward We instructive