The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-08-22
Timms' Strategy.

Timms Strategy.
Mapcs was chivalrous by nature; he be
icyed in 'sseeking the bubble reputation,
even III the lannon's mouth" His enthu-
Siasm was aroused hy the recital of stories
IF deeds OF desperate daring; while he
had nothing but contempt for even success
won by crooked and indirect means.
rmms on the contrary, believed there
was poicv in war, and that the end iusti-
fed the means. particularly ii 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 m oment
AIRY break in their friendship. But now, in
early manhood, they Stru@g led for Il prize
of incalcuiabe value, with an ardor that
threatened a complete rupture OF friendly
relations The heart and hand of Eliza
Reed. the neighbOrhooi belle Were to be
won; and to these none others might as
iire, in the face of such formidable com
petition rs that of MapcS and IimmS,
They alone--cacll by virtue of his own
personality and position had a right to
lay siege to the heart Of that variable,
IRRITABLE. mpcrIous beauty, and for months
the strife between them had gone on. Each
one had called into play ali his personal
and social resources for the local society
had taken such an interest that it was di-
Vlded into two factions, known rs the Ma
pesites and the Timmsites. And yet Miss
Eliza could not be brought to express n
preference: if she rode with one to-day,
she was careful to walk abroad with the
rival tomorrow.
Coquetrv Is delicious to woman; and
Eliza would not have been feminine had
She been in haste to make an election.
Nevertheless, she did not intend to miss
her opportunity She knew well the wal
could not always last, and feared that
when one Of the asprants tor her favor
Withdrew from the contest. the love OF the
other would grow cold; hence. she had
made up her mind, that upon the first
favorable opportunity, she would signify
to Mapes that his suit, so often pressed,
was at last accepted The opportunity
it seemed, was not to be long wanting
for invitations We're gwen out for an apple
bee in the neighborhood, and Eliza found
means to convey an intimation to Mape,
that she expected to meet him there, anC
counted on his escort home at the conclu-
sion of the frolic.
The appointed evening looked for witt
such nervous anticipations by Mapes
came at last. He felt that it was the mos
important OF his life, and arraved himscl
~ only rustic dandy can. His way lay
across meadow, through which ran--o
rather loitcred-a deep but narrow stream
spanned by single log. 1t was so dark
when he reached this primitive bridge
that he was compelled to feel his wa,
slowly across. As he progressed it com
menced to swing ightly-sOmething ver'
unusual--until he reached the centre
when, to his utter confusion, it gave way
and he was launched into the water. H
scrambled out, then suddenly the nigh
become luminous with that lurid light t.
which people refer whenthey say, in speak
m@ OF some profane wretch, ale swor
until All was blue" Whatever illuminat
ing qualities this lurid light possessed
had no drying ones, and Mapes was fore
ed to bid adicu for the night to all hope
0f plighting his troth to the loved Eliza.
In the rural districts Down East in ear
~ times. the good people had such habit
of industry and rigid economy that the
seldom ever gave or attended parties, un
less such Us were cloaked under the name
of raisings, cuttings, huskings, or apple
bees; thus the apple bee, fraught wit
momentous consequences to Mapes an
Timms, was but Il social party in DISCUS
"A few apples being pared, quartered
cored, and strung in the early evening 70
appearance sake.
AS usual, Eliza Reed was the belle c
the OCCASION Good looks, entire sell
possession, and II keen, satrical wit, al
tl,at
ths night she shOne with unusual brill
ancy, until, as the hours wore away, an
Mapes came not she began to lose hen
self in bordering why, and at length sh
asked Timms:
is your friend Mapes ailing?"
Il guess not" replied Timms saw hin
to-day He wasn't complaining"
ole denies himself much pleasure
said Eliza, in not coming here tonight
tor this is the place where we always nav
a good time. Aunt judy knows how +
give an apple-bee."
''You LET Mapes alone" answers
Timms ''he knows what he's about
''What do Won mean? ?" asked Eliza.
son, | mean" replied Timms, 'tha
Mapes is the prince of good fellows, an,
gets invitations where the rest of us don't.
''Where is Mapes tonight ?" asked Eli
IA, now fully aroused.
Il don't know, for sure" answere,
Timms. 'sIIe told me to-day there wer
special reasons for his coming here, bu
that he had an invitation to the rich an,
aristocratic Squire IiuntOon's, who is eel
ebrating his daughters birthday, and tina
he diln't know which way he would 90 );
and Timms turned away to talk to tn
next prettiest girl in the room.
Pettcd young women are seldom logica
or patient. When the party broke up
Eliza accepted Timms' escort to her home
and, before they arrived there, she hat
consented to become with the least posi-
bic delay, Mrs Timms. The next morn
ing the engagement was announced, and
preparations for the wedding commenced
Timms was exultant-happy Timms
For q few days Timms was not much
seen in pnblic-perhaps for want of cour.
age to wear his bushlng honors openly
perhaps for want of courage to meet
other cOntingences-w who knows? But a
man cannot make arrangements for his
own wedding from fixed standpoint,
and he was compelled to venture out. In
n quiet and secluded by-way he met
Mapes. The meeting to him was a sur
prise he smiled feebly and extended his
hand. But Mapes, intent on business,
strobe squarcly up to Tmms and planted
a vigorous blow on one Of his eyes, which
caused that gentleman to measure his