Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-09-06

quence to Mapes and Timms, was but
a social party in disguise, few apples
being peeled, quartered, cored and
strung in the early evening for appear
ance's sake.
AS usual, Eliza Reed was the belle
of the occasion. Good looks, entire
self-possession, and keen satirical wit
always assured her that position and
this night she shone with unusual bril-
liancy, until, as the hours wore away,
and Mapes came not, she began to lose
herself in pondering why, land at length
she asked Timms:
'1s your friend Mapes ailing?"
81 guess moi" replied Timms; "saw
him to-day. He wasn't COMPLAINING"
"He denies himself much pleasure"
said, Eliza, Gin 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.
ooh, [ mean," replied Timms, ''that
Mapes is that prince of good fellows,
and gets invitations where the rest of
us DON'T
''Where is Mapes tonight" 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 he had an invitation to the rich
and aristocratic Squire Hunton's, who
is celebrating his daughters birthday,
and that 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 fact was announced,
and preparations for the wedding COM
menced. Timms was exultant. Hap
Ipy Timms!
For few days Timms was not much
seen in public, perhaps for want of
courage to wear his honors openly, per-
haps for want Of courage to meet other
contingencies--who knows? But a
man nan cannot make arrangements for, his
own wedding from fixed standpoint,
and he was compelled to venture out.
In quiet and secluded by way he met
Mapes. The meeting to him was a
surprise; he smiled feebly, and he ex-
tended his hand, but Mapes, intent on
business, strobe squarely up to Timms
and planted a vigorous blow on one of
his eyes, which caused that gentleman
to measure his length in the DUST
fTimms 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 Mapes.
'FYou'lI knock me down again." said
Timms.
eyes," returned Mapes, 'I will.'
''Then | won't get up" said Timms.
"You're an Internal scoundrel," said
Mapes.
II can't help you saying sc" answer
ed Timms.
"You sawed the log" said Mapes.
"What log?" 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 laughing stock"
"Pll never speak of it, whined
Timms.
"Perhaps you won't" said Mapes,
"but Pm going to swear you before
get through. There's another thing:
you won the woman by your id
trickery, and [ know it is in you to a.
buse her; so I'm going to swear you to
treat her kindly.
'EPll swear" said Timms.
'EHold up your hand" said Mapes.
Timms held up his hand.
'NoW, repeat after mel, Silas
Timms, solemnly swear that [ will nev-
brer ing to the knowledge of any hu-
man being, that [ sawed the log where
by Daniel Mapes fell into the creek and
lost a wife and further, that will, she
consenting, marry Eliza Reed, and al
ways treat her kindly, so help me God"
Timms repeated the oath, vcr5atima.
"Now get up and go home," said
Mapes. Il don't think you'll be mar
ried till your eyes get out of mourning,
and by that time Ill be far enough a.
way. But don't think I'll loose sight
of you; and if you don't keep your oath
you'll see me-"
Timms arose from the ground, shook
off the dust, and walked away; but
when he had secured safe distance,
he shouted back, exultingly:
I 'FMapes, she's an angel."'
! In twenty years Daniel Mapes had
learned many things, and among them
this: Life is very much as we make
it. In other words, the world is like
mirror, and looks at us with the face
we present. Itreturns scowl for scowl,
and smile for smile. Itechoes our sobs
and our laughter. Tothe cold it is as
icy as the northern seas, to the loving