The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-10-18

the counties of Monterey and San
Luis Obispo.
Once in each year the cattle that
Craze on California's thousand hills
are gathered in bands at various
places. to be claimed and branded
by their owners-such Assem- bIages
being called rodeOs hIapes had
been down across the Salinas Plains,
in attendance upon a 10deO and,
being Oh his return, Jogging along
on his mustang, he saE, far in the
distance, but nearing him. an equal
ly lone traveller. Slowly the distance
between them decreased and, as
they approached, Mapes-with Cali
fornia prudence slipped his revol-
yer 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 with
in easy reach of his right hand A
near look assured Mapes that he
had no occasion for weapons the
coming man was of middle-age, but
his look was worn, weary, detected,
and horeless-in local phrase, his
manner was that of a person who
has '1ost 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 a long,
inquiring gaze, when from their
lips simultaneously burst the words,
'sMapes''- -''Timms." After a mo-
ment of mute surprise, Mapes, spur
ing his mustang, drew nearer
Timmg.
"So-we meet, at last. I have
been wanting to see you this many
year"
The movement seemed ominous
to Timms, and he cried out: Don't
don't shoot! I have no weapons!
Besides, I have kept my oath-at
least, as well as 1 could. I never
told the reason why you didn't at
tend thu apple-bee, nor ever breath
ed a syllable about the sawed log
upon my solemn oath !"
81 wasn't thinking of the duck
ing" said Mapes.
Don't come any nearer, return
ed Timms. [ have always tried to
use that woman well ;. but she
wouldn't be used we'll I have done
my best to treat her kindly: but she
wouldn't be treated kindly"
cit is no use to go 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 1 amt half
a man."
$50 I see, said Mapes.
''No, you don't see, replied Timms.
"You don't see half Look at this
off his hat, and show
ing long seam on his scalp: ''that
was done with the skillet.
.TYou have suffered, said Mapes.
Suffered" returned Iimms.
''You ought to have sworn her, too.
If you only knew how [ nave thought
of you, and of my oath to you aud
how I have borne blows, and been
quiet-how I have been called q
brute and fool, and kept silent
how I have endured taunts and
sneers, hunger and discomforts,
without a word of reproach-you
would forgive me; you wouldn't
harbor thoughts of revenge"
Thoughts of revenge p answered
Mapes, '.Let us dismount, and
have settlement for I see my
chance has come at last"
"Mapes, would you take the life
of an unarmed man ?"
'Timms, you're crazy! Let me
explain. [ have no wrongs to
avenge. It isn't for vengeance l have
wanted to see you. [ have heard
about you often-know all your life
and experiences and 1 have only
wanted to meet you, to offer you a
home and friendship, employment
and opportunities for prosperity,
here in California. [ owe you no
debt but one of gratitude, Tor the
inestimable service you did me by
that little job of carpenter-work
and that l mean to pay. Come
with me-" He took Timms' horse
by the bride, turned 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 dcvilP'-Ouer-
land Monthly.
Tvo,,5o,.E,y C,,,.c.;o,I O,,o.,.4.