The Van Buren press., 1872-11-26
MISCELLANY.
Timns' Strategy,
A CALIFORNIA STORY.

Mapes was ehivalrous by nature he
bsioyed in seeking the bubble repula-
ton, even ia the caunon's mouth. His
enthusiasm was aroused by the recital of
stories of desperate daring; while he had
nothing but contempt for even success
woa by crooked or indirect means.
Timms, on the contrary, believed there
was policy in war, and that the end justi-
fed the means, particularly il the end
was attained. Companions from infancy,
their lives had been spent in competition
FOR scholastic and such other honors as
the locality afforded, without even a mo-
mentary break in the friendship But
now, in early manhood they struggled
for a prize Of incalculablo value. with an
ardor that threatened a complete rupture
of friendly relations.
The heart and hand Of Eliza Reed, the
neighborhood belle, were to be won and
to these none Others might aspire in the
face of such formidable competition as
that Of Mapes and Tmms. They alone
each by virtue Of his own personalities
and postion-had q right to lay saige TO
the heart OF that variable, irritable. and
mperious beauty, and for months the
strife had gone on between them. Each
one had called in play all his personal
and social resources. for the local socle-
ty had taken such an interest that it was
divided into two factions, known az tho
Mapesites and Timmsitss And yet Miss
Eliza could not be brought TO express q
preference. If sus rode with one to day,
she was careful to walk abroad with the
rival to morrow,
Coouetry is delicious to a woman and
Eliza would net have been feminine had
she been in haste to make en election.
Nevertheless, she did not intend 10 miss
her opportunity She knew that war
could not always last, and feared that
when one of.the asprants for her favor
withdrew from the contest, the love OF
the other. wanting the stimulus OF com
petition, would grow cold hencs she
had made up hex mind that upon the first
favorable opportunity she would signify
to Mapos that his SUIT, so often pressed,
was at last accepted The opportunity.
it seemed, was not to be long wanting,
for invitations were given out for an sp'
pie bee in tho neigheorhood, and Eliza
found means to convey an intimaton to
Mapcs 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 Of his life, and arrayed
ed himself as only q rustic dandy can.
His was lay aerossa meadow, through
which ran-or rather loitored--a deep
narrow stream, spanncd by single log
1t was SO dark when he reached this
primitive bridge that he was compelled
to feel his way slowly across. AS he
progressed it began to swing Lightly
something very unusus.--untll he reach
ed the centre, when to his utter contu-
sion, it gave way, and he was launched
into the water. He scrambled out then
suddenly the night became luminous
with that lurid light to which people ro-
for when they say, in speaking of some
profaue wretch, +" He swore until all was
blue" Whatever illuminating qualities
this urid ligk. possessed, it had no Cry
ing ones, and Mapes was forced to bid
adicu for the night to all hopes ofplig!.t-
ing his troth 20 tho loved Eliza.
In the rurs districts down East In ear
ly times the ID people had such hab-
its OF industry and rigid economy that
they seldom gave or attended parties.un'
less such Us were cloakcd under the
names Of outings, raisings, huskings, or
apple bees, thus the apple-bee fraught
with mohentous consequences to Mapes
and Timms, was but social party IN
disguisc-a few apples being corsd,quar'
tered pared and strung in the evening
for appearnnce's sake
As usual Eliza Reed was belle OF the
occasion. Good looks, entire self pos
session, aud a keen, satirical wit always
assured her that position, and This night
she shono with unusual brilllancy, until
as the hours woro away, and Mapas came
not, she began to lose herself in ponder
ing why, and she at length asked Tlmms
"Is your friend Mspes ailing?'
81 guess not, replied Timms; "saw
him today. lie wasn't complaining"
I" lie denies himself much pleasure, "
said Eliza, :" in not coming here tonight,
for this is the place where we always
have coed time Aunt Judah knows
how to give an apple bee.
"You let Mapss alone" answered
Timms. he knows what he 10 about. "
What do you mean p asked Eliza.
"Oh, mean. replied Timms, THAT
Mapes is the prince of good fellows, and
gets invitations where the rest OF US
don't
"where is Mapes to night'" asked
Eliza, now fully aroused.
~ don't know for sure" replied
Timms. "He told me TO day there ware