Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-07-11

GIf
For few days Timms was not
much seen in public-perhaps for want
OF courage TO wear his blushing hon
ors openly perhaps for want of cour
age TO meet other contingencies who
knows But man can not make ar
rangements for his own wedding from
fixed standpoint. and SO he was COM
PEELED TO venture out. la quiet and
secluded by-way he met Mapes. The
meeting TO him was surprise he
smiled feebly, and extended his hand.
But Mapes, intent on business, strobe
squarcly up to Timms and planted a
vigorous blow on one Of his eyes. which
caused that gentleman TO measure his
length in the dust. Timms sprang 10
his feet, and showed fight but another
blow on the other exc sent him again
to grass, where he continued to lie.
Get up" said Mapes.
You'll knock me down again" raid
Timms.
Yes. returned Mapcs; II will
Then | won't get up" said Timms.
~ ou're an internal scoundrel," said
Mapcs.
Il can't help your saving so" an
swered Timms.
lon sawed the log" said Mapes.
What log:" asked Timms.
You sawed the log" repeated
Mapes. advancing step
lcs-stop, said Timms II sawed
theilog."
well. You needn't think, said
Mapos, that after your marriage you
are going to tell that story, and make
me .aughing-stock."
III never speak OF it," whined
Iimms.
Perhaps You WON'T said Mapes:
"buSi IN going 10 swear YOU bero.e
get through. There's another thing
you won the woman by Your d
trlckcrN, and KnoS 1t Is IN YOU to
abuse her; so I'm going to swear YOU
10 treat her kindly
"Ill swear said Tinns.
Hold up your hand" said Mapes.
Iimms held up his hand.
Now, repeat after me: Il, Sllas
Ilmins. solemnly swear that | wilt new
er bring to the knowledge of any
human being that sawed the lor
whereby Daniel Mapes fell into the
creek and lost wife and, further.
that | will. she consenting, marry
Eliza Reed, and always treat her kind
ly: so help Inc God.
Iinms repeated the oath, cerbdtim.
Now. get up and 20 home" said
Mapes. II don't think you'll be mar
ned TIL Your eS g get out of mounting,
and 10y that time I'll be far enough
away. But don't think Iii lose sight
OF you; and if YOU don't keep Your
oath. you see me"
Iimms arose from the ground. shook
oil the dust, and walked away: but
when he had secured safe distance.
he shouted back, eXuItlngly:
'Napes. she's an angel
In twenty years, Daniel Mupes had
learned many things, and among them
this : Life Is very much as we make it.
In other words, the world is like a mir
ror, and looks at us with the face we
present. 1t returns scowl Tor scowl,
and smile Tor smile. II echoes our
sobs and our laughter. To the cold, it
Is as icy as the northern seas to the
loving, 1t Is as balny Us the isles of the
tropics. lie had learned a still harder
lesson; which was, to forget the griefs,
the SorTnw- the siiuhta rho ,,...,,
and the hates of the past. The effect
oil this lesson was 10 make it appear
that the lines, to him, had fallen in
pleasant places. His rotund form and
llrIn muscle bespoke Il good digestion,
while cheerful countenaLce told OF
mental peace. A fair woman named
him husband, and children called him
father. A beautiful 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 i'll each year the cattle that
Craze on Caliiornia's thousand hills are
gathered in bands at convenient places
to be claimed and branded by their
owners-such assemblages being call
ed rodoes. Mapes had been down
across the Salinas Plains, in attend
ance upon rodeo 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,
Mapes-with California prudence
slipped his revolver upon the belt
which sustained it, from his back,
round to his left side, bringing the hllt
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-agc,
but his look was worn, weary, defect
ed, and hOpeless-in local phrase, his
manner was that of person who has
''lost his grip;" and those who have
met that terrible misfortune 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
simultaneously burst the words
"Mapes-"Timms." After a moment
of mute surprise, Mapes, spurring his
mustang, drew nearer Timms.
"So-we meet, ct last. Ihave bean