Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-02-27
You saved the log" said Mapc,.
l..

"G"n sawed the log, y repeated Mapcs
advancing u ofep.
"Ges-ato! said Timms: Il saved
the log.
well, You needn't think, said Maprs.
that after your marriage you're going
tell that story and make me a laugh
ng stock.
III never speak of it, "whin"d Timms,
"Perhaps YOU won't, said Mapcs. "bu,
m going to swear You before | get
through. There's another thing; You
won the woman by yor-trickery, and
! know its in you to abuse her, so I'm
..oing to swear you to treat her kindly"
I'll swear" said Timms.
"Uold up your hand" said Mapes
Timms held up his hand
"Now repeat after me: 4, Silas Ti'nu,s.
solemnly swear that ] will never nrlug
% the knowledge of any human l'eing
hat sawed the log whereby Nani
Mapes fell into the creek and lost q wlfc;
and further, that will, she cons'h'lnE,
marry Eliza Reed, and always tIeat iier
kindly, SO help me God"
Timms repeated the oath verbatim.
"Now get up and go home" said
| Mapes. don't think you'll be married
till your eyes get out of mourning, al
by that time | will 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.
Tinms arose from the ground, shook
off the dust, and walked away: when he
had reached safe distance he shout1!
back exultingly:
"Mapes, she's an angel"
\ y X
In 20 years Daniel Mapes had learned
many things, and among them this:
Life is very much as we make it,
The effect of this lesson was to male
it appear that the lines, to him. La
fallen in pleasant places. His rotun3
form and firm muscle bespoke good
digestion, while a cheerful countenanca
told of mental peace. A fair womsn
named him husband and children called
him father. a beautiful home in tie
Santa Clara valley was theto; besides
which Mapes had many broad acres Ct
land, as well as many head of stock nun
ming nearly wild in the counties of
Monterey and San Luis ObiSro.
Once in each year the cattle that Craze
on CaIifornia's thousand hills are gath
cred in bands at convenient places, to
be claimed and branded by the owner
such assemblages being called rodeos.
Mapes had been down across the Sa-
linas plains in attendance upon a rodeo;
and, being on his return, jogging along
on his mustang. he saw far in the dis
tanre. but nearing him, an equally lone
| traveller
Slowly the distance between them de-
creased; and, as they approached,
Mapes with California prudence
slipped his revolver upon the belt which
sustained it from his back round to his
left side, bringing the hlt under the
shadow of his bride arm, and within
easy reach of his right hand. a near
look assured Mapes that he had no &C.
casion for weapons; the coming man
was of middle age, but his look ives
worn. weary, detected, and hopeless
in local phrase, his manner was that of
one who "has lost his grip" and those
who have met that terrible misfortune
are never highway robbers. grip" be
ing the very quality wanted in that
hazardous pursuit.
The travellers met with a long, inquir
ing gaze, when from their lips simulta-
neously burst the words, "Mapes -
"Timms. After moment of surprise
Mapes, squirting his mustang, drew near
| TimmS.
"So-we meet at last l have been
waiting to see you this many year.
The movement seemed ominous to
Timms, and he cried out:
"Don't-don't shoot! | have no wea-
pons Besides. have kept my oath-at
least as well as l could. never told the
reason why you didn't attend the apple
bee, nor ever breathed syllable about
the sawed log to living soul-upon my
solemn oath :"
Il wasn't thinking of the ducking,
remarked Mapes.
Don't come any nearer returned
Timms. 81 have always tried to use that
woman well; but she wouldn't be used
well. have done my best to treat her
kindly, but she won't be treated kindly.
1T is no use to go over the grounds tC
me, Timms.
But, replied Timms, you have nc
idea what that woman is; you wouldn't
blame me if you only knew. She's brow.
beat me till amt half man..
$50 l see, said Mapes.
mo, you don't see, replied Timms,
"You don't see half. Look at this scar"
taking off his hat and showing long
seam on his scalp-"that was done with
a skillet"
You have suffered, said Mapes.
Suffered" returned Timms. You
/ ought to have sworn her, too If you
only knew how have thought of you,
and of my oath to you, and how | have
borne blows and been quiet - how
have been called a brute and a fool, and
kept sient-how I have endured taunts
and sneers, hunger and discomforts,
without even a word of reproach-you
would forgive me; you wouldn't harbor
thoughts of revenge"
"Thoughts of revenge!" replied Mapes.
LET us dismOunt and have settlement
for 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. 1t is not
for vengeance that have wanted to see
you. | have heard about you often
know all your life and experiences; and
| have only wanted to meet you, to Offer
Won "A home and fripnlShin pmplOymrnt