The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-10-17

raisings, quiltings, huskings, Or
apple-bees thus, the apple bee,
fraught with momentous conse-
quonces to Mapes and Timms, was
but social party in dsguise-a few
apples being pared, quartered, cored,
and strung in the evening for ap-
pearance sake.
AS usual, Eliza Reed was the belle
of the occasion. Good looks, entire
self-possession, and u keen, satirical
wit always assured her that position
and this night she shown with un-
usual brilliancy, until, as the hours
wore away, and Mapes came not,
she began to lose herself in ponder
ing why, and at length she asked
Timms:
"Is your friend Mapos ailing?'
"I guess not" replied Timms; );
"saw him to-day. He wasn't complain
ing
Gle denies himself much pleas
ure," said Eliza, in not coming
here tonight, for this is the place
where we always see n good time.
Aunt Judy knows how to give an
apple-bee."
"You let Mapes alone" answered
Timms; che knows what he's about"
"What do you mean?' asked
Eliza.
"Oh, l mean," replied Timms,
"that Mapes is the prince of good
fellows, and gets invitations where
the rest of us don't"
"Whereis is NIapes tonight" asked
Eliza, now fully aroused.
al don't know, for sure" answer
ed Timms. /" He told me to-day
there were special reasons for his
coming here, but that he had an in
vitation to the rich and aristocratic
Squire lIuntoon's, who is celcbrat.
ing his daughters birthday, and
that he didn't know which way he
would 90 )" and Timms turned away
to talk to the next prctticst girl in
the room.
Pcttcd young women arc seldom
logical or patient, When the party
broke up, Eliza accepted Timms' es-
cort to her home, and, before they
arrived there, she had consented to
become, with the least possible dc.
lay, Mrs. Timms. The next morn
ing the engagement was announced
and preparations for the wedding
commenced. Timms was cXuItant
happy Timms !!
For u few days Timms was not
much seen in public-pcrhaps for
want Of courage to wear his blush
ing honors openly; perhaps for
want Of courage to meet other con-
tingcncics-who knows? But al
man can not make arrangements for
his own wedding II fixed standpoint,
and he was compelled to venture
out. In Il quiet and secluded by-I
way he met Mapes. The meeting
to him was surprise; he smiled
fcobIy, and extended his hand. But
Mapcs, intent on business, strobe
squarcIy up to Timms and planted
u vigorous blow on one Of his eyes,
which caused that gentleman to
measure his length in the dust.
Timms sprang to his feet, and show
ed fight, but another blow on the
other sent him again to grass, where
he continued to lie.
"Gct up" said Mapos.
"Youli knock me down again"
said Timms.
"Yes," returned Mapes; 81 will"
"Thcn, | won't get up" said
Timms.
You're an Internal scoundrcl,
said Mapcs.
al cant help your saying So" an.
swcrcd Timms.
"You sawed the log" said Mapos.
"What log?' asked Timms.
m,You sawed the log" repeated
Mapcs, advancing step.
"Ycs-stop," said Timmsj 81
sawed the log"
DWELL, you needn't think" said
Mapcs, "that after your marriage
you're going to tell that story, and
make me a Iaughing-stock."
"I'lI never speak Of it," whined
Timms.
"Porhaps 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
trickcry, and know it is in you to
abuse her; so Pm going to swear
you to treat her kindly"
"I'lI swcar,' said Timms.
"HoId up your hand" said
Mapcs.
Timms held up his hand.
"Now, repeat after me: 81, Silas
Timms, solemnly swear that L will
never bring to the knowledge of
any human being that 1 sawed the
log whereby DANIEL Mapcs leli lhto
the creek and lost wife; further,
that l will, she consenting, marry
Eliza Reed, and always treat her
kindly: so held me God"
Timms repeated the oath, uerba-
tim.
"Now, get up and go home," said
Mapes. "I 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
I'll lose sight of you; and il you
don't keep your oath, you'll see
me-"
Timms arose from the ground,
shook off the dust. and walked |