The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-08-22

MapeS
II can't help your saying So" answer
ed Timms.
you sawed the log" said Mapes.
What log ?" asked Timms.
you sawed the log" repeated Mapes,
advancing step.
"Yes-stop' said Timms; Il sawed the
log"
well you needn't Think said Mapes,
that after your marriage you're going to
tell that story, and make me laughing
stock"
''In never speak of it, whned Timms.
Perhaps you won't' said Mapes; "but
I'm going to swear you before | get
| through There's another thing you won
the woman by your d trickerv. and
know it is in you to abuse her; 50 I'm 60
INC to swear you to treat her kindly"
I'm swear" said Timms
hold up your hand" said Mapes.
Now, repeat after me 4, Silas Timms,
| solemnlv swear that will never bring to
the knowledge of any human being that |
| sawed the log whereby Daniel Mapes fell
into the creek and lost a wife; and further
| that | will, She conserving, marry Eliza
| Reed. and always treat her kindly; SO
| help me God"
| Timms repeated the OATH rcrbattm.
"Now get up and 90 home, said Mapes.
II don't think you'll be married till your
eyes get out of mourning. and by that
time I'll be tar enough away, but don't
think ! shall lose sight OF you and if you
| don't keep your oath, you'll see me"
Timm, arose from the ground. shook off
the dust and walked away; but when he
had secured a safe distance, he shouted
back. eNultingly:
''Mapes she's an angel
lntwenty years, Daniel Mapcs had learn
ed many things, and among them this
Life is very much as we make it, In other
words. the world is like mirror, and
looks ii u> with the face we present. 1t
returns scowl for Scowl. and smile for
smile. 1t echoes our sobs and our laugh
ter 70 the cold, it is rs icy rs the north
ern seas to the loving, it is as bainlv as
the isles OF the tropics. He had learned
a still harder lesson; which was. to forget
The grielS, the sorrows, the Sights, the
wrongs, of the past. The effect Of this
lesson was To make it appear that the lines
to him, had fallen in pleasant places His
rotund form and firm muscles bespoke a
good digestion, while Il cheerful counte-
nance told of mental peace. A fair woman
named him husband, and children called
! him father. A beautiful home in the san
Ia Clara Valley was theirs besides which,
| Mapcs had many broad acres OF land, Is
we'll as many head OF cattle running near
| ly wild in the counties of Monterey and
San Luis Obispo
Once in each year the cattle that Craze
on CALIFORNIA; thousand hills are gathered
in bands ut convenient places, to be claim
ed and branded bvtheir owners such as
SemblageS being called rodeoS Mapes
| had been wn across the Salinas Plains
in Attendance upon II r0tteo and, being on
his mustang, he saw, tar in the distance,
| but nearing him, an equally lone traveller
Slowly the distance between them iccreas-
Ell; and as they approached. MapcS- with
California prudence slipped his revolver
upon the belt which sustained it, from his
back round to his left side, bringing the
hilt under the shadow OF his bridle-arm
and within easy reach of his right-hand
A near look assured Mapcs that he had no
occasion for weapons; the coming man
was OF middle-age; but his look was worn,
weary. detected, and hopelcSs-n local
phrase, his manner was that of a person
who has ''Iost his grip" and those who
have met that terrible misfortune are new
er highway grip" being the very
quality wanted in that hazardous pursuit
The travellers met, with a long inquir-
ing gaze, when from their lips Simultane-
ously burst the words, ''Mapes''-
"Timms." After a few moments of mute
surprise, Mapes, squirting his mustang
drew nearer Timms.
"So-we meet, at last | have been
wanting to see you this many year"
The movement seemed ominous to
Timms. and he cried out g Don't-don't
shoot. | have no weapons Besides, |
have kept my oath-at least as well as |
could never told the reason why you
didn't attend the apple-bee, nor have
ever breathed syllable about the sawed
log-upon my solemn oath !"
Il wasn't thinking Of She ducking said
Mapes.
Don't come any nearer returned
Timms. | have always tried to use that
woman well but she wouldn't be treated
kindly"
at is no use to 60 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 half man.
so see." said Mapes.
NO, you don't see," replied Timms
you don't see half. Look at this scar
taking off his hat and showing a long
seam on his scalp; ''that was done with
, the skillet"
You have suffered" said Mapes
; Suffered !" returned Timms You
ought to have sworn her too If Won only
knew how have thought Of you and of
my oath to you; and how l have borne
; blows, and been quiet how | have been
called a brute and a fool, and kept silent
how have endured taunts and sneers,
hunger and discomforts, without u word
of reproach-you would forgive me you
wouldn't harbor thoughts of revenge''
$ "Thoughts of revenge !" answered
Mapes. 'Let us dismount, and have a
4 settlement; for see my chance has come
7 at last"
2 "Mapes would you take the life of an
unarmed man ?"
r 'Timms, you're crazy Let me eX-
plain. | have no wrongs to avenge. 1t
f isn't tor vengeance that have wanted to
see you. | have head about you often
know all your life and experiences; and
I have only wanted to meet you, to offer
you home and friendship, employment
and opportunities for prosperity, here in
California. owe you no debt but one of
, gratitude, for the inestimablc service Won
did me by that little job of carpenter work
and that mean to pay. Come with me- "
, lie took Timms' horse by the bride, turn
ed him about without remonstrance, and
) they travelled on in silence.
After awhile, Timms raised his eyes
, timidly from the ground and said:
, "Mapes, she's the devilt"
When Secretary, then Con gresham
Boutwell,, was one of the prime prosecu
tors in the impeachment trial of Andrew
Johnson, one of the high crimes and mis-
demeanors which he alleged against the