Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-11-28

and extended his hand. But MapeS 1nCeHC
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.
ssGet up p said Mapes.
you'll knock me down again. said
Timms.
'sYess,'' returned Mapes, 81 will"
'EThen I won't get up said Timms.
"You're an internal scoundrel," said
Mapes.
ct can't help your saying so,'' answered
Timuls.
ssYou sawed the log" said Mapes.
'sWhat log ?" said Timms.
ssYou sawed the log" repeated Mapes,
advancing step.
"Yes-stop,'' said Timms. II sawed
the log"
''Well, you needn't think" said Mapes,
s'that after your marriage you're going to
tell that story, and make me laughing
Stock
ssI'Il never speak of it, said Timms.
ssPerhaps you won't" said Mapes, "but
I'm going to swear you before l get
through. There's another there; you won
the woman by your COMPOUNDED trickery,
and know it is in you to abuse; SO I'm
going to swear you to treat her kindly"
c1x,ao,. coid Tim
1Hold up your hand, - said Mapes.
Timms held up his hand.
CHOW, repeat after me: 81, Silas
Timms, solemnly swear that will never
bring to the knowledge Of any human be-
Jug that / sawed the log whereby Daniel
Mapes fell into the creek and lost wife;
and, further, that will, she consenting,
marry Elizabeth Reed, and always treat
her kindly so help me God"
Timms repeated the oath, verbatim.
CHOW, get up and go home, said Mapes.
ST don't think you'll be married till your
eyes get out Of mourning, and by that time
I'll be far enough away. But don't think
I'll lose sight of you, and if 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 safe, he shouted back exult-
ingly:
s'Mapes, she's an ANGEL
In twenty years Daniel Mapes had learn
ed many things, and among them this =
Life is very much as we take it. In other
words, the world is mirror, and looks at
US with the face we present 1t returns
scowl for scowl, and smile for smile. 1t
echoes our sob 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 has learned a still harder les
son, which was, to forget the griefs, the
wrongs, the sorrows, the Sights and the
hates of the past. The effect Of this les
son was to make it appear that the lines to
him, had fallen in pleasant places. His
rotund form and firm muscles bespoke
good digestion, while countenance told
of mental piece. A fair woman named
him husband, and the children called him
father. A beautiful home in Santa Glare
Vale Valley was theirs, besides which
Mapes had made broad acres Of land, as
we'll as many head of stock running nearly
wild in the counties of Monterey and San
Louis Obispo.
Once in each year the cattle that Craze
on CALIFORNIA; Thousand hills are gathered
in bands at convenient places, to be claim
ed and branded by their owners-such as
semblages being called ssrodeos." Mapes
had been down across the Salinas Plains,
in attendance upon ''rodeo," and being
on his return, jogging along on his mus
tang, he saw afar in the distance, but near
ing him, an equally lone traveller. Slowly
the distance between them decreased and
as they approached, Mapes, with Califor-
MIA prudence, slipped his revolver on his
belt that sustained it, from his back round
to his left side, bringing the hilt under his
bride arm, and within easy reach OF his
right hand. A near lock assured Mapes
that he had no occasion for weapons; the
coming man was of middle age, but his
look was worn, weary, detected and hope
less-in local phrase, his manner was that
of person who has .'lost his grip" and
those who meet that terrible misfortune
are never robbers, "grip'' being the quail
ty 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 moment of mute surprise, Mapes,
squirting his mustang, drew nearer to
Timms.
s'So-we meet at last. have been wan
ting to see you this many year."
The movement seemed ominous to
Timms, and he cried:
ssDon't-don't shootl / have no weap-
ons Besides, I have kept my oath-at
least as we'll as could. never told the
reason why you didn't attend the apple
bee, nor ever breathed syllable about the
sawed log-upon my solemn oath!"
II wasn't thinking Of the ducking," said
Mapes.
ssDon't come any nearer,' returned
Timms. II have always tried to use that
woman well, I have done my best to treat
her kindly, but she wouldn't be treated
kindly"
'sIt's no use to go over the ground to
me, Timms."
'sBut," replied Timms, "you have no
idea what that woman is; you wouldn't
blame me if you only knew. She's brow
beaten me until amt half man."
$50 see,'' said Mapes.
$50. you don't see half. Look at this
scar''-taking off his hat and showing a
1ono coon, in his sca1n-ssthat was done