The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-08-01
TIMNTS STRATEGY.

A STORY OF EARLY CALIFORNIA LIFE.
MApEs was chivalrous by nature; he
believed In seeking the bubble of reDu
tation even at the cannon's mouth. -
His enthusiasm was aroused by the re-
eital Of stories of desperate deeds of dar-
ing; while he had nothing but contempt
for even success won by crooked and In
direct means. Timms, on the contrary,
believed there was policy in war, and
that the end justified the means, particu-
larly if the end was attained. Compan-
ions from infancy, their lives had been
spent in competition for scholastic and
such honors as the locality afforded.
without a momentary break IL their
friendship. But now, in early manhood,
they struggled for a price OF incalculable
value, with an ardor that threatened a
complete rupture of their friendly rela-
tions. The heart and hand Of Eliza, the
neighborhood belle, were to be won and
to these none other need aspire, in the
face of such formidable competition as
Mapes- and Timms. They alone-each
by virtue of his own personality and po-
sition-had right to lay seige to the
heart of that variable, irritable. imper-
ious beauty, and for months the strife
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 divld
ed into two factions, known as the Mape-
sites and Timmsites. As yet Miss Eliza
could not be brought to express prefer
ence ;. if she rode with one to day, she
was careful to walk abroad with the rival
to morrow.
Coquetry is delicious to woman; and
Eliza would not have been feminine had
she been in haste to have made selec-
ton. Nevertheless, she did not intend
to loose her opportunity. She knew
we'll 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 made up her mind that, upon the
first favorable opportunity, she would
signify to Mapes that his su;t, so often
pressed, was at last accepted. The op
portunity it seemed, was not long to be
wanted for, invitations were eiven out
for an applet bee in the neighborhood,
and Eliza found means to convey an init
nation to Mapes that she expected to
meet him there, and counted on his es-
cort home at the conclusion of the frolic.
The appointed evening looked for with
such nervous anticipation by Mapes,
came at last He felt that ii was the
most important of his life, and arrayed
himselfas only rustic dandy can. His
way lay across meadow. through
which ran-or rather loiIereG-a deep,
but narrow stream, spanned by a single
log. Il was so dark when he reached
this primitive bridge, that he was COM
PEELED to feel his way slowly across. As
he progressed it commenced to swing
slightly-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
cut, then suddenly the night became lu-
minous with that lurid light to which
people refer when they say. in speaking
of some profane wretch. He swore un-
til all was blue" Whatever iIluminat-
ing qualities this lurid light possessed, it
had no drying ones. ard Mapes was
forced to bid adieu for the night all hopes
of plighting his troth to the beloved
Eliza.
In the rural districts down East, in
early times, the good people had such
habits of industry aud rigid economy that
they seldom gave or attended parties. un
less such as were eloaked under the
names OF raisings, cuttings, huskings, or
apple-bees thus, the apple bee, fraught
with momentous consequences to Mapes
and Timmes, was but social party in
disguise, few apples being pared, quar-
tered, cored and strung in the early even
ing for appearance sake.
As usual, Eliza Reed was the belle of
the OCCASION Good looks, entire self
possession, and keen satirical wit al
ways insured her that position and this
night she shone with unusual briliaucy,
until, as the hours wore away, and Mapes
came not, she began to loose herself in
bordering why, and at length she asked
Timms:
lis your friend Mapes ailing ?'
II guess not, replied Timms +; saw
him to-day He wasn't conn planning"
HE denies himself much pleasure, :"
said Eliza, in not coming here to nighttor
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 he !;
he knows what he about.
What do you mean?" asked Eliza.
''Oh, 1 mean," replied Timms, THAT
MaD0S Is tue pTiiiCO vi gnu lCiioHS, auu
gets invitations where the rest of us
don't"
"Where is Mapes tonight" asked
Eliza, now fully aroused.
Il don't know, for sure" answered
Timms. He told me to-day there were
special reasons for his coming here, but
she had an invitation to the rich aud arts
tocratic Squire Huntoon's, who is cele.
brating his daughters birthday, ana
that he didn't know which way he would
GO and Timms turned away to talk &c
the next prettiest girl In the room.
Petted youc woman are seldom logica
or patient. When the party broke up.
Eliza accepted Timms escort to hel
home. and before they arrived there she
had consented to become. with the least
possible delay, Mrs. Timm's. The next
morning the engagement was announced
and preparations for the wedding com
rna Timms was exuItant. Happy
Timmsl