The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1858-11-12
Which was the Coward!

IL
The young man to whom this was
addressed stood facing another per
son about his own age, on whose
flushed countenance was an express
ion OF angry defiance. The name OF
this person was Logan. A third par
ty, also a young man, had asked the
question in tone Of surprise and re-.
gret. Before there was time for re-
pose, Logan said sharply, and in a
voice OF stinging contempt
You are q poor, mean coward
Edward Wilsonl Irepeat 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 pausel His words
had aroused = feeling in the breast
of Wilson that betrayed itself in his
eyes. The word coward in that
instant OF time, would have more
tittingly applied to James Logan
But, as quickly as the flash leaves
the cloud, so quickly faded the in
dignant light from the eyes Of Ed
ward Wilson. What fierce strug-
gle sgitated him for the moment!
we have been fast friends, James
said Wilson, calmly. But. even if
that were not 90, | will not strike
You
You're afraid
Il will not deny it. | have al
ways been afraid to 10 wrong
'Pah! Cant and Hypocrisy! said
the other, contemptuously.
You know me better. than that,
James Logan; and | am sorry that,
in your resentment of an imagined
wrong, you should 80 far forget what
is Just to my character az to charge
upon me such mean vices. | reject
the implied allegations as false
There was an honest indignation
in the manner Of Wilson that he did
not attrmpt to reprcss.
DO you call me a liarf exclaimed
Logan, in uncomfortable passion
drawing back his hand, and making
motion as if he were about to strike
the other in the face.
The eyes OF Wilson quailed not
nor was the smallest quiver of 9
muscle perceptible. From some
cause the purpose of Logan was moi
executed. Instead of giving blow
he assailed his antagonist will
words of deeper insult, seeking thus
to provoke an assault. But Wilson
was not to be driven from the cita
del in which he had entrenche,
himself.
III am a coward, well, he said
y would rather be coward, than t,
lay a hand in violence on him
have called my friend
At this moment light girlish laugh
ter and the ringing of merry voice
reached the ears of our excited youn,
men, and their relations OF antago
nism at once changed. Logan walk
ed away in the direction from whicl
the voices came; while the other tw'
remained whore they had been stand
ling.
why didn't you knock him down.
said the companion of Wilson.
The latter, whose face was nov
very sober and very pale, shook hi
! head slowly. He made no other re
Isponse.
Il believe you are a cowardF eS
claimed the other, impatiently; an
turning off, he went in the directio
s taken by Logan.
d The moment Wilson was alone h
seated himself on the ground, COZ
cealed from the party whose voice
, had interrupted them, by a larg
rock, and covering his face with b
hands, continued motionless for se'
|eral minutes. How much he suffe
y. ed In that little space of time we wi
70 not attempt to describe. The struI
f. gle with his indignant impulses hs
y been very severe. He was no CO,
" ard in heart. What was right ar
humane he was ever ready to d
Ieven at the risk to himself of bo
physical and mental suffering
n Clearly conscious was he of this
: Yet the consciousness did not ar
could not protect his feelings fro
the unjust and singing charge
lcowardice 80 angrily brought again
}, him. In spite of his better reaso
he felt humiliated; and there we
:. moments when he half regretted 4
= forbearance that saved the insole
Logan from punishment. They we
~ but moments of weakness; in t
Is strength Of a manly character he "
n Quickly himself again.
Il. The occasion Of this misund
sIanding is briefly told. Wills
'-..lmade one of a little pleasure pa
,ur from a neighboring village, that v
spending an afternoon in q sha
-ITetreat on the banks of a mill stres
rth Thare were three or fOnp yOunp m