Smyrna times., 1872-11-13
What do YOU mean?" asked Eliza

lie tOlu me to-day there were special reasons hi
or his coming here; but that he had an invita-
ion to the rich and arlstOcratic Squire Hun
oon's who is celebrating his daughter s birth to
lay, and that he didn't know which way he |
would go. And Timms turned away to talk al
% the next prettieSt girl in the room. h
Petted young women are seldom logical or X
patient When the party broke up, Eliza &C 81
cepted Timms escort to her home, and, be. o
for they arrived there, she had consented to "
become, with the least possible delay, Mrs.
Timms. The next morning the engagement Ct
was announced, and preparations for the we'd 8
ding commenced. Timms was exultant.
Happy Timms! a
For few days rimms was not much seen in
pubc-perhapS for want Of courage to wear
his bluShing honors openly; perhaps for want
of courage to meet other contingencies-who
knows! But man cannot make arrangements {
tor his own wedding from fixed standpoint,
and he was compelled to venture out. In
quiet and secluded by-way he met Mapes. The
meeting to him was a surprise He smiled
feebfy, and extended his hand. But Mapes,
intent on business, strobe squarely up to
Timms and planted vigorous blow on one OF
his eyes which caused that gentleman to mea-
sure his length in the dust. Timms sprang to
his feet, and, showed fight; but another blow
on the other eye sent him again to grass, where
he continued to lie.
| Get up! said Mapes.
you'll knock me down again." said
Timms.
Yes, returned Mapes, II will.
| Then L won I get up, said Tmms.
you're an internal scoundrell' said
Mapes.
81 can't help your saying SO" answered
Timms.
You sawed the log" said Mapes
"What log?" asked Timms
&C XO,, xpod tba loo > raDootad Mopac ad-
YES Stop" said Timms. 81 sawed the
7'WeT, you needn't think" said Mapes,
l that after your marriage you re going to tell
5 that story and make me laughing stock.
t I'll never speak of it whined Timms.
I "Perhaps you won't" said Mapes But
| [ m going to swear you before | get through
There's another thing: you won the woman by
( your trickery, and know it is in you to abuse
5 her; so IN going to swear you to treat her
s kindly"
C "I'I swear" said Timms.
!, Hold up your hand said Mapes.
r Timms held up his hand.
Y Now, repeat after me: |, Silas Timms,
h solemnly swear that will never bring to the
# knowledge of any human being that | sawed
If the log whereby Daniel Mapes fell into the
'e creek and lost wife; and, further, that | will
in she conscnting, marry Eliza Reed, and alway'
at treat her kindly. So help me God !
~ Tmms repeated the oath rer6dt'nl.
ID Now get up and go home, said Mapes
a 81 don't think you II be married till your eye
rs get out OF mourning, and by that time IL b
IN far enough away. But don't think Ill los
I'd sight OF you. And if you don t keep your oat
en- you II see me.
30 Timms arose from the ground, shook off tn
be dust, and walked away. But when he had sc
be cured a safe distance, he shouted back exu
de ingly:
ad "Mapes, she's an angelp'
In twenty years DANIEL Mapes had learne
"a many things, and among them this: Life is veT
en- much as we make it. In other words, the wOrl
pr is like mirror, and looks at US with the fac
DR. we present. 1t returns scowl for scOw an
rot smile for smile. 1t echoes our sobs and OF
he laughter To the cold it is as icy as the nortl
IN ern seas To the loving it is as balmy as tt
lu isles of the tropics. He had learned a ST
ice harder lesson, which was to forget the grief
rst the sorrows, the sights, the wrongs, and Il
to hates of the past. The effect of this lesson W
at to make it appear that the lines, to him, h;
ed, fallen in pleasant places. His rotund form al
Dns firm muscle bespoke good digestion, while
gh- cheerful countenance told Of mental peace
an fair woman named him husband, and childr
eet called him father. A beautiful home in San
at Clara Valley was theirs; besides which, Map
had many broad acres of land, as we'll as ma
lch head OF stock running nearly wild in the cou
asst. ties of Monterey and San Luis ObispO.
his Once in each year the cattle that Craze
ndy California's thousand hills are gathered
Ugh bands at convenient places, to be claimed C
lar- branded by their owners-such assemblae
was being called rOde0s Mapes had been do
dge across the Salinas plains, in attendance upoI
WY rodeO and, being on his return, jogging alO
to on his mustang, he saw, far in the distance,
ntll nearing him, an equally lone traveller. SloV
con- the distance between them decreased; and,
into they approached, Mapes, with California p
snly dence, slipped his revolver upon the belt VIII
1rid sustained it from his back round to his left s
, in bringing the hilt under the shadow of his bri
Eore arm and within easy reach of his right hal
ting A near look assured Mapes that he had no
no casion for weapons The coming man was
bid middle age but his look was worn, weary,
ting jected, and hopeless In local phrase, his N
ner was that of a person who has lost
arly grip; and those who have met that terri
In misfortune are never highway robbers, "gri
dom being the very quality wanted in that hazard
we're pursuit
ngs, The travellers met with long inquiring ga
bee, when from their lips simultaneously burst
TO words, "Mapes l'-" Timmsl" After a
y in ment of mute surprise, Mapes, spurring
,red, mustang, drew nearer Timms.
ap- $50 we meet at last | have been want
to see you this many year."
the The movement seemed ominous to Tim
sion, and he cried out:
her "Don' 'tl-dont shoot | have no weapo
with Besides, have kept my oath-at least, as
wore as could. / never told the reason why
lose didn't attend the apple-bee, nor ever breat
she asyllable about the sawed log-upon my sole
oath |"
~ wasn't thinking of the ducking,"
him Mapes.
Don't come any nearerl" returned Tim
said +" havo always tried to use that woman W
this but she wouldn't be used we'll. | have
good my best to treat her kindly, but she woul
pple- be treated kindly"
[" 1t is no use to go over the grounds to
INNS Timms,"
But" replied Timms, you have no