The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-07-31

surprise; he smiled fecbly, and cx
tended his hand But Mapes, intent
on business, strobe squarely up &c
Timms and planted a vigorous blow
on one of his ewes, which caused thC
gentleman to measure his length in
the dust Timms sprang to his feet
and showed fight; but another blow
on the other eye sent him again to
grass, where he continued to lie.
''Get up" said Mapes.
You'll knock me down again,
said Timms.
eyes, | vii! - returned Mapes.
''Then won't get up" said Timms.
YOU'RE an internal scOundrel,
said Mapes
Il can't help you're saying So" an
swered Timms.
"You sawed the log" said Mapes
"What log?n asked Timms.
"Iou sawed the log" repeated
Mapcs, advancing step.
"Ics-stop, / sawed the log" said
Timms.
"Well, you needn't think said
Mapes, that after your marriage
you're going to tell that story, and
make me a laughing stock"
'1'll never speak of it," whined
Timms
! i'-4"Perhaps YOU won't" said Mapcs,
'but I'm going to swear You before
j get through. There's another thing
You won the woman by your trickery
and | know it is in YOU to abuse her
so I'm going to swear you TO treat
her kindly" ... ....
sI'll swear said Timms.
"Hold up your hand" said Mapes.
Timms held up his hand.
Now, repeat after me: 4, Siias
Timms, solcmnly swear that | will
never bring to the knowledge of any
human being that l sawed the log
whereby Daniel Mapes fell into TIE
creek and lost a wife; and, further,
that | will, she eonsenting, marry
Eliza Reed, and always treat her
kindly: so help me Cod" ,1-.
Timms repeated the oath reybdiim.
Now get up and go home,n said
Mapes. II don't think you'll be
married till your eyes get out OF
mourning, and by that time I'll be
far enough away But don't think
I'll lose sight of you; and if YOU
don't keep your oath you'll see me- {"
Timms arose from the ground, shook
off the dust, and walked away; but
when he had secured a safe distance
he shouted back exultingly:
"Mapes, she's an angel"
In twenty years Daniel Mapes had
learned many things, and among
them this: Life is very much as we
make it. In other words, the world
is like a mirror, and looks at us with
the face we present. 1t returns scowl
for scowl, and smile for smile. 1t
echoes our sobs and our laughter To
the cold, it is as as icy as the north
ern seas; to the loving it is as balmy
as the isles of the tropics. He had
learned still harder lesson which
was to forget the griefs, the sorrows,
the wrongs, and the hates of the pas.
The effect of this lesson was to make
it appear that the lines to him, had
fallen in pleasant places. His rotund
form and firm muscle bespoke a good
digestion, while cheerful counte-
nance told of mental peace. A fair
woman called him husband, and
children called him father. A beauti-
full home in the Santa Clara Valley
was theirs; besides which, Mapes had
many broad acres of land, as well as
many head Of stock running nearly
wild in the counties of Monterey and
San Luis Obispo.
Once in year the cattle that Craze
on California's thousand hills are
gathered in bands at convenient
places to be claimed and branded by
their owners-such assemblages be-
called rodeOs Mapes had been down
across the Salinas Plains, in attend
ance upon rode0; and being on his
return, jogging along on his mustang,
he saw, far in the distance, but near
ing him, an equally lone traveller
Slowly the distance between them
decreased; and as they approached,
Mapcs-with California prudence
slipped his revolver upon the belt
which sustained it, from his back
round TO his left side, bringing the
hilt under the shadow of his bride
arm, and within easy reach Of his
right hand A near look assured
Mapes that he had no occasion for
weapons: the coming man was of
middle age, but his look was worn,
weary, detected, and hopelcss-in To-
cal phrase, his manner was that Of a
person who has "lost his grip" and
those who have met that terrible mis-
fortune are never highway robbers
grip" being the very quality wanted
in that hazardous pursuit.
The travellers met, with long, in
quiring gaze, when from their lips 81
multaneouslv burst the words, "Mapes
-Timms" After moment of mute
Mapes, spurring his mus
tang, drew nearer Timms. a
"So-we meet at last. | have been
to see you this many a.
year"
The movement seemed ominOus to
Timms, and he cried out: Don't
don't shoot. / have no weapons
Besides, | have kept my oath-at
least, as well as l could. never
told the reason why you didn't at
tend the apple-bee, nor even breathed
a syllable about the sawed log-upon
my solemn oathln
II wasn't thinking of the ducking,r
said Mapes.
Don't come any nearer" returned
Timms. Il have always tried to use
hat women well; but she wouldn't
be used well. | have done my best
10 treat her kindly; but she wouldn't
De treated kindly"