The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-07-29

other eye sent him again to grass,
where he continued to lie.
'Get up," said Mapes. -
you'll knock me down again,
said Tiums.
Yes" returned Mapcs; II will"
Then I won't get up, " said Timms.
''You're an internal scoundrel," said
Mapes.
Il can't help your saying so.' ans
wered Timms.
"You sawed the log" said Mapes.
''What Logo" asked Timms.
''You sawed the log" repeated
Mapes, advancing q 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 mo laughing stock"
ILL never speak of it, whined
Timms.
"Perhaps you won IT, said Mapes;
''but I'm going to swear you before l
get through. There's another thing;
you won the woman by your-trick-
cry, and l know it is in you to abuse
her kindly"
I'm swear" said Timms.
: Hold up your hand" said Mapes.
Timms held up his hand.
''Now, repeat after me: i, Silas
Timms, solemnly swear that 1 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 I will, she consenting, marry Eli
"a Reed, and always treat her kindly,
so help me tod"
Timms repeated the oath verbatim.
Nov, get up and 20 home," said
Mapes. ~ don't think you'll be mar.
ried till your eyet get out of mourning,
and by that time I'll be far enough
away. But don't think III 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 distance
he shouted back exultantly:
''Mapes, she's an ANGEL
In twenty years Daniel Mapes had
learned many things, and among them
this: Life is very much as we make
it. In olher words tie world is like a
mirror and looks at us with the face
we represent.
1t returns scowl for scowl, and smile
for smile. 1t echoes our sobs 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 had learned still harder lesson;
which was, to forget the griefs, the
sorrows, the Sights, the wrongs, and
the hates Of the past. The effect of
this lesson was to make it appear that
the liEes, to him, had fallen in pleasant
places. His rotound form and firm
muscle bespoke good digestion,
while a cheerful countcnance told OF
mental peace. A fair woman named
him husband and children called him
father. A beautiful home in the Santa
Clara Valley was theirs; besides which,
Mapes had many broad acres of land,
as we'll as many head of stock running
nearly wild in the counties of Monterey
and San Luis Obispo.
Once in each year cattle that Craze
on Caiifornia's thousand hills are
gathered in bands 1T convenient
places, to be claimed and branded by
the owners-such asscmbl:ccs being
called rodeos. Mapcs had b IN down
across the Salinas Plains. in attendance
upon u rodeo; and, being on his return
Jogging along on bis mustang. he saw
far in The distance, but nearing him an
liz, h.
distance between them decreased. and,
as they approached, Mapes with
California misunderstanding his
revolver upon the belt which sustained
il from his back round to his left side,
bringing the hilt under the shadow OF
his bride arm. aud within 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 hopeless-in local
| phrase, his manner was that of a per-
son who has ''lost 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 net. wlth.a long, in.
quiring gaze, when fro:l their lips 81.
multaneously burst the words, ''Mapes'
l-"Timms.' After moment of mute
surprise Mapes, squirting his mustang,
drew nearer Timms.
"So-we meet. at last, at last.
have been wanting to see you this
many year,
The movement seemed Ominious to
Timms, and he cried out: "Don't--
don't shoot! have no weapons! Be-
sides, have kept my oath-at least
as we'll as l could. I 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.
Don't come any nearcr,' returned
Timms. Il have always tried to use
that women we'll; but she wouldn't be
used we'll. Ihave done my best tc
treat her kindly; but she wouldn't bt
treated kindly
1T is no use to go over the grounds
to me, Timms.''
But" replied Timms, ''you have nc
! luUC "OudA 10 JOu "Ou1uu
blame me if you only knew. She.
browbeat me till amt half :
man.
$50 see," said Mapes.
No. you don t see,' replied
Timms.
"You don't see half. look at thi.
scar taking off his hat and showing
a long seam on his scaIp-''that wal
done with the skillet
"You have suffered said Mapes.
'Suffered!'' returned Timms 70,
ought to have sworn her, too. If 70,
only knew how l have thought Of you
and of my oath to you; aud how have
borne bl.'ws and been quiet-how hav,
been called 2 brute and fool. and KEEP
silent-how have endured taunts ant
sneers. hunger and discomforts, with
out word of reproach-you woule
forgive me; you wouldn't harbo1
thoughts of revenge"
Thoughts of revepge!'' answered
Mapes. LET us dismount and have