Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-07-19
"You sawed the log,n said Mapes.
NWhat I,U ~ asked Timms


"What log ?" asked Timms.
"You sawed the log" repeated Mapes,
advancing step.
Yes-stop," said Timms, "I sawed
the log"
"Well, you needn't think, said Mapes,
that after your marriage you're going to
tell that story, and make me a laughing
stock"
"pll never speak of it," whined Timms.
"Perhaps you won't, " said Mapes; 'but
I'm going TO swear you before l get
through. There's another thing; you won
the woman by your internal trickery, and
| know it is in you to abuse her; so I'm
going to swear 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: Il, Silas Timms
solemnly swear that | will never bring tC
the knowledge of any human being that
sawed the log whereby Daniel Mapes fel
into the creek and lost wife; and, furth
er, that l will, she consenting, marry
Eliza Reed, and always treat her kindly,
so help me God"
Timms repeated the oath Uer6dtim.
"Now get up and go home," said
Mapes. ~ don't think you'll be married
by that time I'll be far enough away. But
don't think I'll lose sight of you; and il
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, eXultantly:
"Mapes, she's an angel"
In twenty years Daniel Mapes had
learned many things, and among then
this: Life is very much as we make it.
In other words, the world is like mir
ror, and looks at us with the face we pre-
sent. 1t returns scowl for scowl, ant
smile for smile. 1t echoes our sobs and
our laughter. To the cold, it is as ICY as
the northern seas; to the loving, it is as
balmy as the isles of the tropics. He ha6
learned a still harder lesson; which, was
to forget the griefs, the sorrows, the
sights, the wrongs, and the hates of the
past. The effect of this lesson was tC
make it appear that the lines, to him, hat
fallen in pleasant places His rotund
form and firm muscle bespoke good di
gestion, while a cheerful countenancC
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; beside:
which, Mapes had many broad acres OF
land as well as many head of stock run
ming nearly wild in the counties of Mon
terry and San Luis Obispo.
| Once in each year the cattle that Craze
on California's thousand hills are gather
ed in bands at convenient places to bt
claimed and branded by their owners
such assemblages being called rOdeOs
Mapes had been down across the Salina!
! Plains, in attendance upon r0de0; and
being on his return, jogging along on hi
mustang, he saw, far in the distance, but
nearing him, an equally lone traveller
Slowly the distance between them de
creased; and as they approached, Mapes
with California prudence, slipped his re
volver upon the belt which sustained il
from his back round to his left side
bringing the hilt under the shadow of hi!
bride arm and within easy reach of hi
right hand. A near look assured Mape
that he had no occasion for weapons; thu
coming man was of middle age, but hi
| look was worn, weary, detected and hope
less--in local phrase, his manner was tina
of person who had ''lost his grip" ant
those who have met that terrible misfor
tune are never highway robbers, grip
being the very quality wanted in tina
hazardous pursuit.
The travellers met, with long, inquir
ing gaze, when from their lips simultane
Ously burst the words, Mapes"-
"Timms." After moment of mute sur
prise, Mapes, spurring his mustang, drew
nearer Timms.
"So-we meet, at last. | have beel
wanting to see you this many year"
The movement seemed ominOus t.
Timms, and he cried out, "DOnt-dOn'
| I
have kept my oath-at least as well as
could. | never told the reason why yo1
didn't attend the apple-bee, nor eve
breathed syllable about the sawed log
upon my solemn oathw
II wasn't thinking of the ducking,
said Mapes.
"Don't come any nearer" returne'
Timms. II have always tried to us
that woman well; but she wouldn't
used well. / have done my best to trea
her kindly; but she wouldn't be treate
kindly"
at is no use to go over the ground
to me. Timms"
"But," replied Timms, "you have n
idea what that woman is; you wouldn
blame me if you only knew. She's brow
beat me till amt half man."
so see," said Mapes.
"No, you don't see," replied Timml
"You don't see half. Look at this scar
taking off his hat and showing Ion
seam on his scalp" that was done wit
the skillet"
you have suffered" said Mapes.
"SuflercG returned Timms. "Yo
ought to have sworn her, too. If yo
only knew how | have thought of yO
and of my oath to you; and how haV
borne blows, and been quiet how hay
been called a brute and fool, and keI
silent-how / have endured taunts an
sneers, hunger and discomforts, withoI
a word of reproach-you would forgiV
me; you wouldn't harbor thoughts of
Yenge."
"Thoughts of revenge!" answere
Mapes. Let us dismount and have
settlement, for l see my chance has CON
, at last"
'Mapes, would you take the life of a
) unarmed mang'
"Timms, you're crazy! Let me e
) plain. / have no wrongs to avenge.
isn't for vengeance that have wanted
see you. / have heard all about yo
7 o.ten-know all your life and experience
! and have only wanted to meet you
l offer you a home and friendship, emplo
: ment and opportunities for prosperit
here in California. l owe you no de
but one of gratitude, for the inestimab
service you did me by that little job
carpenter work, and that | mean to pa
Come with me-" He took Timms' hor
I, by the bride, turned him about witho
/ remonstrance, and they travelled on in
lence.
+ After awhile, Timms raised his ey
!, timidly from the ground, and said;
"Mapes, she's perfect devil"
h BOILED SALMON TRoUT.-Wash al
:, dry the fish after cleaning it nicely. Wr