The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1874-04-30
WHICH WAS THE COWARD!

dressed stood facing another person about
his own age, on whose flushed counte-
nance was an expression of angry defiance.
The name of this person was Logan. A
third party, also young man, had asked
the question just given in a tone of sur
prise and regret. Before there was time
for response Logan said sharply, and
in voice OF singing contempt:
"You are poor, mean coward, Edward
Wilson,! repeat the words; and if there
is a particle of manhood about you"
Logan paused for an instant, but quickly
added:
"You will resent the insult"
Why did he pause! His words had
aroused feeling in the breast of Wilson
that instantly betrayed itself in his eyes.
The word coward" in that instant of
time, would have more fittingly applied
to James Logan. But as quickly as the
flash leaves the cloud, SO quickly faded
the indignant light from the eyes of Ed
ward Wilson. What a fierce struggle agi.
tated him for the moment!
1--WE have been fast friends, James,"
said Wilson, calmly. "But even if that
were not so | will not strike you"
YOU'RE afraid"
II will not deny it; have always been
AFRAID 10 90 wrong.
Bah! Cant and Hypocrisy" said the
other, contcmptuous)y.
You know me better than that, James
Logan; and am sorry that, in your re-
sentiment of an imagined wrong, you
should so far forget what is just to my
character as to charge upon me such mean
vices. reject the implied allegation as
false"
There was an honest indignation in
the manner of Wilson that he did not at.
tempt to repress.
do you call me liar ?" exclaimed
Logan, in an uncomfortable passion.
drawing back his hand and making q
motion as if he were about to slap the
other in the face.
The eyes of Wilson quailed not, nor
was the smallest figure of muscle per-
ceptible. From some cause the purpose
of Logan was not executed. Instead of
giving q blow he assaulted his antagonist
with words of deeper insult, seeking thus
to provoke an assault. But Wilson was
not to be driven from the citadel in which
he had entrenched himself.
eff am coward, WE'LL" he said. AZ
would rather he coward than to Law
hand in violence on him whom I had
once called friend"
At this moment light, girlish laughter
and the ringing of merry voices reached
the ears of our excited young men, and
their relation of antagonism changed.
Logan walked away in the direction from
which the voices came, while the other
two remained where they had been stand
ing.
"Why don't you knock him down ?"
said the companion of Wilson.
The latter, whose face was now very
sober and very pale, shook his head slow.
ly. He made no other response.
II believe you are q cOward" ex-
claimed the other, impatiently; and,
turning of, he went in the direction taken
by Logan.
The moment Wilson was alone he
seated himself on the ground, concealed
from the party whose voices had inter.
rupted them by large rock, and covering
his face with his hand sat motionless for
several minutes. How much he suffered
in that little space of time we will not at
tempt to describe. The struggle with his
indignant impulses had been very severe.
He was no coward in heart. What was
right and human he was ever ready to do,
even a. the risk to himself of both physi.
cal and mental suffering. Clearly con.
scious was he of this. Yet the conscious
ness did not and could not protect his
feelings from the unjust and singing
charge of cowardice SO angrily brought
against him. In spite of his better rea.
son he felt humiliated; and there were
moments when he half regretted the for.
bearance that saved the insolent Logan
from punishment. They were but mo
ments OF weakness; in the strength of .
manly character he was quickly himself
again.
The occasion of this misunderstanding
is briefly told. Wilson made one of q
little pleasure party for q neighboring
village, that was spending an afternoon in
q shady retreat on the banks of mill
stream. There were three or four young
men and half q dozen maidens: and. a It
happens on such occasions, some rival
ries we're excited among the former.
These should only have added piquancy
to the merry intercourse of ali parties,
and would have done SO had not the impa-
tient temperament of Logan carried him
q little beyond good feeling and gener.
GUS department toward others. Without
due reflection, yet in no sarcastic spirit,
Edward Wilson made q remark on some
act of Logan that irritated him exceed
ingly. An angry spot burned instantly
on his cheek, and he replied with words
OF cutting insult so cutting that all pres
emit expected nothing less than blow
from Wilson as his answer to the remark.
And to deal blow was his hrst impulse.
But he restrained the impulse; and it re-
quired more courage to do this than to
have stricken the insolent young man to
the ground. A moment or two Wilson
struggled with himself, and then turned
off and marched slowly away.
His flushed ana then paling face, hid
quivering lips and unsteady eyes LEFT on
the minds of oil who witnessed the scene
an impression somewhat unfavorable
Partaking Of the indignant excitement Of
the moment, many Of those present looked
ior the instant punishment Of hls nm,
Justiaab!e insult. When, therefore, they
saw Wilson turn away without even I
"a