Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-25
Gboife Mlistfla1rp.
kDWA D WILSON;
By t. S. ARTHUR.
OR, WHO WAS THE COWARD.

- The young man TO Wnom tnis was ao-
dressed stood facing another person about
his own sge. on whose flushed countenance
was an expression o. angry defiance. The
name of this person was Logan. A third
party, also a young man, had asked the
question in tone of surprise anc regret
Beforethere was time for response. Logan
szid sharply, and in a tone of singing con-
tempt:
You are poor, mean coward, Edward
Wilsoni repeat the words; and if there
is a particle of manhood about YOU"
Logan paused for an instant, but quickly
added .you will resent the insult"
Why did he pause, His words had arous-
ed feeling in the bresst of Wilson that
betrayed itself in his eyes. The word
"coward" in that instant of time would have
more fttingly applied to James Logan. But,
as quick as the fash leaves the cloud, 50
quickly faded the indignant light from the
eyes of Edward Wilson. What a fierce
struggle agitated him for the moment!
ave have been fast friends, James," said
Wilson, calmly. "But, even if that were
not so, will not strike yeu.''
aYou're AFRAID"
81 will not deny it. l have always been
afraid to do wrong"
..Bah! Can't and hypOcrisy:" said the
other, contemptuously.
aYou kno me better than that, James
Logan; and / am sorry that in your resent
ment OF an imagined wrong you should SO
far forget what is just to my character as to
charge spon me such mean views. Irejecl
the implied allegation as false"
There was an honest indignation in the
manner of Wilson that he did not attempt
to suppress.
aDo you call me liarr' exclaimed Lo
gan, in uncomfortable passion, drawing
back his hand, and making motion as j
he were about to strike the other in tht
face.
The eye of Wilson quailel not, nor wa
the smallest quiver of muscle perceptible
From some cause the purpose of Logan wa
not executed. Instead of giving blow b
: assailed his antagonist with words of deepe
insult. seeking thus to provoke an insult
But Wiissn was not thus TO be driven frur
the citadel in which he had entrenched him
self
aIfI am coward he said, II woul
rather be a-coward than lay hand in VIC
lence on him have called my friend !"
At this moment light girlish laughte
and the ringing of merry voices reached tn
ears OF our excited young men, and the
relations of antagonism al once changed
in tho dIrprtlOn frOI
which the voices came; while the other tw
remained where they had been standing
iiaWby didn't you knock him DOWN. sa
the companion of Wilson.
The latter, whose face was now very 81
Der and very pale, shook his head slowly
He made no other response.
81 believe you are coward" exclalm'
the other. impatientlv; and turning OH
went 10 the direction taken by Logan.
The moment Wilson was alone he seat
himself on the ground, concealed from u
party whose voices had interrupted the
by large rock, and covering his face wi
his hands, con tinued motionless for sever
moments. How much he suffered in tn
little space of time We will not attempt
describe The struggles with his indigna
impulses had been very severe. He W
no coward 10 heart. What was right al
and humane he was ever ready to do. eve
at the risk of both physical and mental 81
fering. Clearly conscious was he OF th
Yet the consciousness did not and could n
protect his feelings from the unjnst a
singing charge of cowardice SO angri
brought against him. lnspIie OF his eetl
reason. be ieit humiiiatedi and mere we
moments when he half regretted the Z
, earanse thtrt saved the iasolent Logan fr'
1ishmen'a. They were but few momel
p yeakr iess; in the strength OF mai
icter me was quickly himself again
''na, ar o ,ccs ssion of this misunderstanding
told. Wilson made one of lit
e,.a easa e pal ~ from neighboring villa