The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-07-31
TIMMS' STRATEGY.
q story of California Life.


Mapcs was chivalrous by nature
he believed in seeking the baublc
reputation, even in the cannon's
mouth" His enthusiasm was aroused
by the recital of stories of deeds OF
desperate daring; while he had
nothing but contempt for even sue
cess won by crooked and Indifferent
means. Timms, on the contrary, be-
lievcd there was policy in war, and
that the end justified the means, par
ticularly if the end was attained
Companions from infancy, their lives
had beeu spent in competition for
scholastic and such other honors as
the locality afforded, without a mo-
mentary break in their friendship. But
now, in early manhood, they struggled
for prize of incalcuablc value, with
an ardor that threatened a complete
rupture of friendly relations. The
heart and hand of Eliza Red, the
neighborhood belle, were to be won ;
and to these none others might aspire
in the face of such formidable compe-
tition as that of Mapes and Timms.-
They alone-cach by virtue of his
own personality and position-had
a right to lay siege TO the heart of
that variable, irritable, imperious
beauty, and for months the strife be-
tween them had gone on. Each one
had called into play all his personal
and social resources; for the local So
ciety had taken such an interest that
it was divided into two factions,
known as the Mapesitcs and the
Timmsites. And vet Miss Eliza
could not be brought to express a
preference. If she rode with one to-
day, she was careful to walk with the
rival tomorrow.
Coquetry is delicious to woman;
and Eliza would not have been femi-
nine had she been in haste 10 have
made the election Nevertheless, she
did not intend to miss her opportuni-
tv. She knew well the war could
not always last, and feared that when
one of the aspirants for her favor
withdrew from the contest, the love
of the other, wanting the stimulus Of
competition, would grow cold; hence
she had made up her mind, that, upon
the first favorable opportunity, she
would signify 10 Mapes that his suit,
so often pressed, was at last accepted.
The opportunity, it seemed, was not
long wanting; for invitations were
given out for an apple-bee in the
neighborhoOd, and Eliza found means
to convey an intimation to Mapes
that she expected to meet him there,
and counted on his escort home at the
conclusion of the frolic.
The appointed evening looked for
with such nervous anticipation by
Mapes, came at last. He felt that it
was the most important moment of
hif life, and arrayed himself as only
rustic dandy can His way lay
across a meadow, through which ran,
or rather loitered, a deep, but narrow
stream, spanned by a single log. 1t
was so dark when he reached this
primitive bridge that he was compel
led to feel his way slowly across. As
he progressed it commenced to swing
lightly-something 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 luminous with the lurid
light to which people refer when they
say, in speaking of some profane
wretch, "He swore until all was
blue" Whatever Illuminating quail
ties this lurid light possessed, it had
no drying ones, and Mapes was fore
ed to bid adieu for the night to AL
hopes of plighting his troth TO his be-
loved Eliza
In the rural districts Down East,
in carly times, the good people had
such habits of industry and rigid
economy that they seldom gave or,
attended parties, unless such as were
cloaked under the names of raisings,
cuttings, huskings, or apple-bees;
thus, the apple-bee, fraught with mo-
mentOus consequences to Mapes and
Timms, was but a social party in dis
guise--a few apples being pared,
luartered, cored, and strung in the
early evening merely for appearance
sake.
As usual, Eliza was the belle of
he occasion. Good looks, entire
self possession, and keen, satirical
Wit always assured her that position;
md this night she shone with unusu-
II brilliancy, until, as the hours wore
AWAY, and Mapes came not, she be-
gan to lose herself in wondering why |
and at length she inquired of Timms:
rs your friend Mapes ailing?"
Il guess not" replied Timms; 81 |
saw him to-day He was not COM !
"Hc denies himself much pleasure |
n not coming here tonight, for this
5 the place where we always have a I
rood time. Aunt Judy knows how
o give an apple-bee.
"You let Mapes alone" answered
rimms; "he knows what he is
bout"
What do you means" asked
eliza. .e IN
ooh, i mean" replied Timms,
that Mapes is the prince of good
ellows, and gets invitations where
he rest of US don't"
Where is Mapes tonight" asked
eliza, now fully aroused.
81 don't know for sure" answered
'imms "He told me to-day there
we're special reasons for his coming
ere, but that he had an invitation to
he rich and aristocratic Squire Hun
oon's who is celebrating his daugh-
er's birthday, and that he didn't