Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-30
TIMMS' STRATEGY.
4 Tale OF Down Fast Riyairy-HoH
Timms Won an6 what He DOT

a Tate OF Down Fast RivaIry-HOw
Tinms Won ana what HE GOs.
From the Overland Monthly.
Names was chivarous by nature; he believed
in seeking the bubble reputation, even in
the lannon's mouth. His enthusiasm was
aroused by the recital of stories OF deeds OF
desperate daring; while he had nothing but
rontemot for even success won by crooked
and indirect means Timms, on the con-
trarv. believed their was policy in the war,
and that the end justified the means, par
ticularly il the end was attained. Compan-
ions from infancy, there lives had been spent
in comnetition for scholastic and such others
honors as the locality afforded, without
even a documentary break 10 their friendship.
Rnt now. In early manhood, they strug-
gled for prize Of lncalc ulable value, with
Sn ordor that threatened a complete rup-
tnra of friendly relations. The heart aud
hand of Eliza Reed, the neighborhood belle,
were to he won: scd to these none others
mi Ibt aspire. in the faco Of such formidaole
comp tition as that of Mapes "a !i1nlls
They slone-each by virtue OF nr- wv" IL
| personality and position-had q right -
! Law siege to the heart of that variable, I'M
VI
between them had gone on. Each one
| had called into play all his personal and
social resources; for the local society had
| taken such an interest that it was divide
| into two factions, known as the Mapesites
| and the FURNISHES. And yet Miss Eliza
! could not be brought to express a prefer
/ ence. If size rode with one to day, she
| was careful to walk abroad with the rival
| tomorrow.
Coquetry is delicious to woman; and
| Eliza would not have been feminine had
| she been in haste to have made an election.
| Nevertheless, she did not intend to miss
her opportunity. She knew well the war
| could not always last, and feared that when
| one of the aspirAnts for her favor with
! drew from the contest, the love Of the other
| wanting the stimulus Of composition, would
| grow cold; hence, she had made up her
| mind, thai, upon the first favorable oppor-
| unity, she would signify to Mspes that his
| suit, so often pressed, was st last accepted
| The opportunity, 1t seemed, was not to be
| long wanting; for invitations were given
out for an spple-bee la the neighborhood,
and Eliza found means to convey an lnti-
nation to Mapes that she expected to meet
| him there, and counted on his escort home
at the conclusion Of tie fr0lic.
The appointed evening looked for with
such nervous anticipation by Mapes, came
| lat. He felt that it was the most i'm
portant of his life, and arrayed himself as
| only a rustic dandy can. His way lay
across a meadow, through which ran-or
rather loitered-a deep, but narrow stream,
| -spanued by q single log. 1t was so dark
when he reached this primitive bridge that
be was compelled to feel bis way slowly
across. As he progressed it comm enced to
| swing very Notwithstanding very unusual
until he reached the centre, when to his
| utter confusion, it gave way. and he was
| launched into the water. He scrambled
out, then suddenly the night became lumi-
| nous with that lurid light to which people
refer when they say, in speaking Of some
prCfane wretch: "He swOre until all was
blue" Whatever illuminating qualities
| this lurid light possessed, it bad no drying
| ones, and Mapes was forced to bid adieu
| for the night to all hopes Of plighting his
| troth to the loved Eliza.
In the rural districts Down East, In early
! times, the good people had such habits OF
| industry and rigid economy that they sci
| dom gave, or attended parties, unless such
| as were clOaked Under the names Of rails
ings, cuttings, huskiugs, or apple bees;
thus. the apple-bee, fraught with momen-
tOus consequences to Mapes-and Timms,
was but a social party in Disguise few
apples being pared, quartered, cored, and
strung in the early evening for appearance
sake.
AS usual, Eliza Reed was the belle of the
| occasion. Good looks, entire self possession
and a keen satirical wit always assured heI
! that position: aud this night she shOne with
unusual brilliancy, until, as the hours wore
away, and Mapes came not, she began to
lose herself in p)ndering why, and at length
she asked Timms:
ais your friend Mapes ailing."
81 guess not" replied Timms; 'saw him
TO-DAY. He wasn't complaining"
"He denies himself much pleasure" said
Eliza, Gin not coming here tonight, fol
this Is the place where We always have a
| good time. Aunt Judy knows how to give
an apple-bee."
"You let Mapes Alone" answered
! Timms; che knows what he's about"
"What do you mean," asked Eliza:
~Oh, l mean," replied Timms, "that
Mapes is the prince of good fellows, and
Gets invitations where the rest of US don't"
"Where is Mspes tonight" asked Eliza,
now fully aroused.
81 don't know, for sure" answered
Timns. "He told me to-day there were
snecial reasons for his coming here, but that
he had an invitation TO Squire Huntoons,
who is celebrating his daughters birthday,
and that he didn't know what way be
would 60" and Timms turned away to talk
to the next prettiest girl in the room.
Petted young women are seldom Logical
or patient. When the party broke up,
| Eliza accepted Timms's escort to her house,
and, before they arrived there, she had con-
sented to become, with the least possible
DELAY, Mrs. Timms. The next morning the
engagement was announced, and prepare
tons for the wedding commenced. Timms
was exultant- happy Timms!
For few days flmms was not much
seen in public, perhaps for want OF courage
to wear his blushing honors openly; per-
haps for want Of courage to meet other
contingencies-Wh knows? But a man
cannot make arrangements for his own
wedding from fixed standpoint, and be
was compelled to venture out. In quiet
and secluded by-way he met Mapes. The
meeting to him was surprise; he smiled
feeblv, and extended his hand. But Mapes,
intent on business, strobe squarely up to
Timms and planted vigorous blow on
one of his eyes, which caused that gentle
man to measure bis 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.
sect up" said Mapes.
"Youll knock me down again" saiC
Timms.
eyes - rsturnad Names; 81 Will"