Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1872-08-07

cheerful countenance told OF mental peace.
A fair woman named him husband, and
children called him father. A beautiful
home 10 the Santa Clara Valley was theirs;
besides which Mapes had many broad
acres Of lani, as well as many bead Of
stock running nearly wild in the counties
of Montray and San Luis 0bisso.
Once 10 each 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 as,
scmblages being called rodeos. Mapes
had been down across the Salinas Plains,
IN attendance upon rodeo; and being
on his return. jogging along on his mus
tang, he saw, far in the distance, but near
ing him, an equally lone traveller Slow
y the distance between them decreased
and, as they approached, Mapes-with
California prudencc-slipped his revolver
uTon 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 bis right hand
A near look assured Mapes that he had
no occasion for weapons the coming mar
was of middle.age, but his look was worn,
weary, deJected and hopelass-in locaI
phrase his manner was that Of a person
who "has lost his grip;" and those VIII,
have met that terrible misfortune are new
er highway robbers, grip" being the very
quality wanted in that hazardous pursuit
The travellers met, with long, inquir
ing gaze, when from their lips s;multane
ously burst the words, "Mapes'-Timms.
After moment of mute surprise, Mapes
spurling his mustang, drew nearer Timms
( "So-we meet at last. | have beel
wanting to see you, this many year,
The movement seemed ominous to Timm
and he cried out Don't don't shoot
have no weapons! Besides, | have KEEP
my oath-at least as well as [ could.
never told the reason why you did not at
tend the apple-bee, nor ever breathed
SYLLABLE about the sawed log-upon m
solemn oath !" ....
81 wasn't thinking of the ducklng," sal
Mapes.
"Don't como any nearer" returne
Timms. "l have always tried to use tha
woman well but she wouldn't be use
well. | have done my best to treat he
kindly but she wouldn't be treated kind
ly." ...
ut is no use to go over the grouds t
me, Tmms."
but replied Timms, "you have n
idea what that woman is; you wouldn
blame me if you only knew. Shes brow
bea, me. till [ amt half a man,"
80 | see said Mapes.
"No you don't see" replied Timm'
"You don't see half. Look at this scar
taking off his hat, and showing lon
seam on his scalp: that was done with tn
skillet"
!; You have suffered" said Mapes.
Suffered returned Timms. " Yo
/ ought to have sworn her too. If you onl
knew how | have thought of you, and {
, my oath to you; and how | have born
blows, and been quiet-hov l have bee
called brute and fool, and kept siler
how have endured taunts aud sneeri
hunger and discomforts, without word {
reproach, you would forgive me: you woul
5 not harbor thoughts Of revenge"
+ Thoughts of revenge answere
Mapes s'Let us dismount, and have
settlement for see my chance has CON
at last"
"Mapes would you take the life Of a
, unarmed MANI"
"Timms, you're crazy! Let me e'
PLAID. have no wrongs to avenge.
/. isn't for vengence that have wanted
r see you. | have heard about you oftel
t know all your life and experiences; an
l have only wanted to meet you, to off
, you a home and friendship, employmel
and opportunities for prosperity, here
+ California. | owe you no debt but one
0 gratitude, for the inestimable service yo
! did me by that little job of carpsnte
work aud that mean to pay. Com
with me-" He took Timms' horse by ii
! bride, turned him about without remol
/: STRANGE, and they travelled on in silence
D After awhile, Timms raised his ey,
timidly from the ground, aud said:
!. "Mapes, she's the devil !'.-Ooerlan
r Monthly.
: AN Irishman having geen told th,
G that tho nr;ca of broad had lowered q,