Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1872-07-17

As usual, Eliza Reed was the belle O

As usual, Eliza Reed was the belle O
the occasion. Cool looks entire self
possession, and keen, satirical wit al
ways assured her hat position and
this night she shone with unusual brill
fancy, until, as the hours wore awav
and Mapes came not. she began to lose
herself in pondering why, aud at length
she asked Timms
"Is your friend Mapes ailing :"
Il guess not" replied Timms; "saw
him to day. He wasn't complaining
"He denies himsel! much pleasure. y
said Eliza, "in not coming here to- night,
for this is the place where We always
have good time. Aunt Judy knows
how to give an apple bee."
"You let Mapes alone," answered
Timms he knows what he's about"
"What do you mean? asked Eliza.
"Oh, l mean." replied Tiums. "that
Mapes is the prince of good fellows, and
gets invitations where the rest of us
don't"
"Where is Mapes to night p asked
Eliza, now fully aroused.
81 don't know for sure,'' answered
Timms. "He told me to day there were
special reasons for his coming here, but
that lie had an invitation to the rich
and aristocratic Squire Huntoon's, who
is celebrating bis daughters birthday,
and tha: he didn't know which way he
would go;" and Timms turned away to
talk to the next prettiest girl in the
room.
Petted young women are seldom log
ical or patient. When the party broke
up. Eliza accepted Timms' escort to her
home, and before they arrived there, she
had consented to become, with the least
possible delay, Mrs. Timms The next
morning the engagement was announced,
and preparations for the wedding com
menced. Timms was exultant happy
Timms
For few days Timms was not much
seen in public-perhaps for want of
courage to wear his blushing hOnors
openly; perhaps want of courage to meet
other contingencies-who knows Bat
a man can not make arrangements for
his own wedding from a fixed standpoint,
and he was compelled to venture out. In
a quiet and secluded by-way he met
Mapes. The meeting to him was sur
prise; he smiled feebly, aud extenled
his hand But Mapes, intent on basi-
ness. atrode square!y up to Tirnms and
planted vigorous blow on one of his
eyes, which caused that gentleman 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.
Get up" said Alapes.
You'll knock me down again" said
Timns
Yes returned Mapes, II will"
Then I won's get up" said Timms.
YOU'RE all internal scoundrel," said
Mapcs.
Il can't help your saying so" answer
ed Timms.
You sawed the log" said Mapes.
s"What log p asked Timms.
"You sawed the log repeated Mapes.
advancing step.
"Yes-stop," said Timms; 81 sawed
the log"
"Well, you needn't think" said Mapes
that after your marriage you're going
to tell that story, and make me laugh
"Ill never speak of it, wbined Timms
perhaps you won't said Mapes !:
but I'm going to swear you before
get through. There's another thing;
you won the woman by your trickery,
and l know it is in you to abuse her;
so I'm going to swear you to treat her
kindly"
"I'll swear" said Timms.
"Hold up your hand" said Mapes.
Timms held up his hand.
"Now, repeat after me: Il, Silas
Timms, solemnly swear that l will never
bring to the knowledge of any human
being that l sawed the log whereby
Daniel Mapes fell into thecreek and lost
a wife; and, further, that will, she con-
senting. marry Eliza Reed, and always
treat her kindly; so help me God.''
Timms repeated the oath, rerbat'm.
"Now, get up and 60 home,' said
Mapes. II 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 Ill lose sight of you;
and if You don't keep your oath, you'll
see me-"
Timms arose from the ground, shook
of the dust, and walked away; bat
when he had secured safe distance, he
shouted back exultingly:
"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 il.
In other wor,ls. the world is like mir