The Van Buren press., 1872-11-26


ari.tocratic Squire Huntoon's, who is
celebrating his daughters birthday, and
he didn't know which way he would so,
and Timms turned away to the next pref
test girl in the room.
Pitted young womea are seldom loei-
cal or patient. When the party broke
mp Eliza accepted Timms' escort to her
home, and before they arrived there she
had consented to become Mrs. Tlmms
The next msrning, the engagement was
announced and preparation for the wed
ding was commenced. Timms was'ex-
ultant--happy Timms.
For few days Timms was not seen
much in public-perhaps for want OF
courage to wear his blushing honors
openly-perhaps for want Of courage to
meet other contingencies-who kAows Z
But man cannot make arrangements for
his wedding from fixed standpoint, and
hs was compelled to venture out In a
quiet and secluded by way he met Mapss
The meeting to him was a surprise; he
smiled feebly and extended his hand
But Mapes, latent on business, strobe
quickly up to Timms and planted Wig
orous blow on ona Of his eyes, which
eaussd him TO measure his length in the
dust Timms sprang to his feet and
showed fight; but another blow on the
othar eye again sen. him to grass, where
be continued to lie
Get up" said Mspes.
you'll knock me dswn again, said
Timms.
Then | won't get up" said Timms
"You arc an internal seoundrel, said
Mapes,
Il can't h lip your saying SO, said
Timms.
"You sawed the log?" said M.pas.
"What log2" asked Timms.
"You sawed the log p said Napes ad
vaneing step,
Yos-Stop," said Timms, 81 sawed
the log.
"Well, You need not think said
Mapes, .'that after your marriage you're
going to tell that story, and make me
laughing stock
"Tll never speak Of it," whincd
Timms.
Perhaps you won't" said Mapes.
"but I'm going to swear you before |
get through There is another thing
you won the woman by your Id
trckery. and know it 10 in you to abuse
her, so I'm goisg to swear you to treat
her kindly. f"
"Ill swear, said Timms.
Hold up your hand, 4" said Mapes.
Timms held up his hand.
"Now, repeat after me; !, Silas
Timms. solemnly swear that | will not
bring to the knowledge Of any human be
ing that sawed the log whereby Daniel
Mapes fell into the creek and lost wife |;
and further, that will, she conscnting.
marry Eliza Reed, and always treat her
kindly so help me God.
Timms repeated the osth verbatim
Now, get up and 60 home, said
Mapes, II don't think you'll DO married
till yeur eyes get out Of mourning, and
by that time I'll bo far q bugh away.
But don't think III loose Z ,.it of you,
and if you don't keep yo' oath you'll
see me.
Timms rose from thHr oand, shook
Off the dust and Wake ~. ~ but when
he had secured safe ar e shout
cd back exutingly: se
Mapcs, she's an anEd u
In twenty years. T., aapes had
learned many thing gallas x sm this;
Life is very much ~ SAms :. In 9th
er words the world saurdsr of"ror and
looks at us with th6S' sh"' esont. 1t
returns scowl for til, smile for
smile. 1t echoes ~ ssI'dts' and our
laughter. To the sn,;aro sss A. j'icy rs the
northern seas; /; to th5 /. .nyina It 10 as
bamy as the isle, w, .hse tro rits He
had learned sill Ter Al lessons; which
was to forget the oJfSiSSs the sorrows, the
wrongs, and the hSsstspp.f the past The
effec. Of this lessisreas to make it ap-
parent that the LIN hSsans5g him, aad fallen in
pleasant places rG rotund form and
firm muscles beslfInspsa good digestion,
while q cheerful c. fWenance tod OF men,
tai peace. A ~ Swomaa named him
husband, and chs in u callca him father.
A pleasant homie 2diSS,a,he, santa Clara val
ley was theirs;,n dousarvbich Mapes had
many broad ave oas ofhsuds as well as
many Heau VI "tSu ini"h Hc"iiy WIN
in the cour'tiI Spcssr iSstc and San
Louis Obifpo. - ,'m's
Once in iach year the cattle that Craze
on Cs!ifssnia's thousand hills are gather
od in basns at convenient places, to be
clsim6l and branded by their owners,
sutip- assemblages being called rodcos.
Ms ,es toad been down across the Salinas
plans, In attendance upon rodcos, and
being on his return, jogging along on
his mustang. he saw, far in the distance,
buvnearing him, .n equally lone travel
or Slowly the distance between them
decreased, and as they approached.
Mapes, with California prudence, slipped
his revolver on the belt which supported
it, from his hack round to his left side,
bringing tho hilt under the shadow of
his bride arm, and within easy reach OF
his right hand. a nearer look showed
him that lie hal no occasion for weapons
the coming man was of middle age, but
his look was worn, weary, detected and
hopeless--in local phrase, his manner
was TINT of one who had "lost his grip;'
and those who have met that terrible mis-
fortune are never highway robbers,
" grip" being the very quality n.eded
in that hazardous pursuit.
Tho travellers met, with long inquir
ing gaze, when from their lips simutane
ouslv BURT the words, " Mapcs -
" Timms" After n moment OF mite