Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-30


Timms.
"You sawed the log" said Mapes.
"Wbat log ?" asked Timms.
"You sawed the log" repeated Mapes,
advancing step.
"Yes,-stop," said Timms; '1sawed the
log"
"Well, you needn't think" said Mapes,
'sthat after your marriage you're going to
tell that story, and make me a laughing
stock"
GI1l never speak Of IT," whined Timms.
"Perhaps you won't" lid Mapes; shut
Pm going to swear you before l get
through. There's another thing; you won
the woman by your damned trickery, and
know it is in you to abuse her; 80 I'm going
to swesr you TO treat her kindly"
"I'll swear" said Timms.
"Hold up your hand" said Mapes.
Timms held up his hand.
"Now, repeat after me: II, Silas Timms,
soemnly swear that will never bring to
the knowledge Of any human being that l
sawed the log whereby Daniel Mapes fell
in'o the creek and lost wife; and further,
| that | will, she conserving, marry Eliza
ed, and Always treat her kindly; 80 help
me Goo.
'aJol JIG Otbls CcTUALGt
aSoW get I'm an, go home," said Mapes.
81 don't think youllb married III your
ewes get out Of mourning, a,,d by that time
III be far enough away But - Lnlnk
I'll lose sight Of you; and If you don : A00P
your oath, you'n see me-"
Timms arose from the ground. shook Oh
the dust, aud walked away; but when he
had secured a<safe distance, he shouted
back, exultingly:
"Mapes, eEs's an angel"
In twenty years. Daniel Mapes had
| learned many things, ami among them this;
Life is very much as We make it. in other
words, the world is like mirror, and looks
at US with the face We present. II returns
scowl for scowl, and smile fer smile. 1t
| echoes our sobs and our laughter. To the
cold, it is as icy as the northern seas; 20
the loving, it is as balmy as the isles OF the
tronics, He had learned a still hsrder
lesson: which was, to forget the griefs,
the wrongs, the sorrows, the sights,
and the hates Of the past. The efec.
of this lesson was to make it appear that
the lines, to him, had fallen in pleasant
places. His rotund form aud frm muscle
bespoke good digestion, while cheerful
| countenance told of mental peace. A fair
woman named him husband, aud children
called him fa-her. A beautiful home IN
the Santa Clara Valley was sheirs, besides
which, Mapes had many broad acres Of
land, as well as many head Of stock ruiz
| ming nearly wild in the counties OF Monte
rey and San Louis ObispO.
Once in each year the cattle that Craze on
California's thousand ri Is are gathered in
bands at convenient places, to be claimed
| and branded by their owners-such assem-
blages being called Todeos. Mspes had
! been down across the Salinas Plains, in
attendance upon a rodeo; aud, being on bis
! return, jogging along on bis mustang, he
saw, far in the distance, but nearing him,
an equally lone traveller. Slowly the dis
lance between them decreased; and, as
they approached, Mapes-with California
prudence-slppad his revolver upon the
/ belt which sustained 1t from
| his back, round to his left side, bring
| ing the hilt under the shadow Of his
bridle-arm, and within easy reach Of his
! right hand. A near lock assured Mspes
! that be had no occasion for weapons: the
coming man was of middle-age, but bis
| look was worn, weary, detected, and hope
| less-in local phrase, bis manner was that
| of a person who has "lost his grip;" and
those who have met that terrible msfOr-
tune are never highway robbers, "grip" be-
ing the very quality wanted In that hazard
Gus pursuit.
The travellers, met, with long, inquir-
ing gaze, when from their lips simultaRe-
ously burst the words: "Mapes"-
"Timms." After moment Of mute sur
prise, Mapes, squirting his mustaEs, drew
nearer Timms.
"So-we meet, at last. 1 have been
wanting to see you, this many year."
The movement seemed Ominous TO Timms,
and he cried out: "DOn't-don't shoot
have no weapons Besides, l have kept my
oath-at least, as well as could. l never
told the reason why you didn't attend the
apple bee nor ever breathed syllable about
the sa wed log-upon my solemn oath"
81 wasn't thinking of the ducking," said
Mapes.
"Don't come any nearer" returned
Timms. 81 have always tried to use that
| woman well; but she wouldn't be used
well have done my best to treat her
kindly, but she would II be treated kindly"
Iris no use to go over the grounds to me,
| Timms."
"But," replied Timms, "you have no
| idea what that woman is; you wouldn't
| blame me, If you only knew. She's brow
| beat me till amt halt a man."
$50 l see," said Mapes.
| GNo, you don't see half. Look at this
scar"-taking off his hat, and showing
long seam on his scalp: shat was done
| with the skillet"
"You have suffered" asked Mapes.
"Suferedn returned Timms. "You
ought to have sworn her too. If you only
| knew now I have thought of you, and of
nv oath to you; aud how 1 have borne
! blows. and been quiet-hOw l have been
called a brute ana fool, and kept silent
how I have endured taunts and sneers,
hunger and discomforts, without word of
reproach-you would forgive me: you
| wouldn't harbor thoughts If revenge"
"Thoughts of Ievenge!" answered Mapes.
! mI,et us dismount, and have a settlement;
for 1 see my chance has come at last.
"Mapes would you take the life of an I'M
armed mani" .sza
"Timms, you're crazy! Let me explain.
I have no wrongs to avenge. 1t isn't for
vengeance that have wanted TO see you.
| I have he srd about you often-know all
| vour life and experiences; and have only
wanted to meet you TO offer you a
home and friendship, employment
and opportunity for prosperity, here
in Calf rnia. lowe you 10 debt but one OF
gratitude, for the inestimable service you
did me by that little job Of carpenter-work;
and that mean to pay. Come with me. y
He took Timms' horse by the bride, turned
him about without remonstrance, and they
traveledaon in silence.
After awhile, Timus raised his eyes tim
idly from the ground, and said
fgMarAs zhess the devil, y e+e.-. q