Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-07-19
TIMMS' STRATEGY.

MAPES was chivalrOus by nature; he be-
lieved in seeking the bubble reputation
even at the cannon's mouth" His en-
thusiasm was aroused by the recital of
stories of deeds of desperate daring: while
he had nothing but contempt for even
success won by crooked and indirect
means. Timms, on the contrary, bellev-
ed there was policy in war, and that the
end justified the means, particularly if
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 momentary break in their friend
ship. But now, in early manhood, they
struggled for prize of incalculable value,
with an ardor that threatened a complete
rupture of friendly relations. The heart
and hand of Eliza Reed, the neighbor-
hood belle, were to be won; and to these
none other need aspire, in the face of such
formidable competition as that of Mapes
and Timms. They alone-each by virtue
of his own personality and position-had
right to lay siege to the heart of that
variable, irritable, imperous 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 in
terest that it was divided into two fac
tions, known as the Mapesites and the
Timmsites. And yet Miss Eliza could
not be brought to express preferences 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 an elec-
tion. Nevertheless, she did not intend
to miss her opportunity. She knew well
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 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 op-
portunity, it seemed, was not to be long
wanting; for invitations were given out
for an apple-bee in the neighborhood, and
Eliza found means to convey an intima-
tion to AIapeS 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 i'm
portant of his life, and arrayed himself
as only rustic dandy can. His way lay
across a meadow, through which ran-or
rather loitered-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
way slowly across. AS he progressed it
commenced to swing lightly
very unusual-until he reached the
centre, when, to his utter confusion, 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 refer when
they say, in speaking of some profane
wretch, "He swore until all was blue"
Whatever illuminating qualities this lurid
light possessed, it had nc drying ones,
and Mapes was forced to bid adieu for
the night to all hopes of plighting his
trOth to the loved Eliza
In the rural districts down East, in
early times, the good people had such
habits of industry and rigid economy that
they seldom gave or attended parties, un-
less such as were cloaked under the
names of raisings, quiltings, huskings, or
apple-bees; thus, the apple'bee, fraught
with momentous consequences to Mapes
and Timms, was but a social party in
disguise, few apples being pared, quart
cred. cOred and strung in the early eveG-
ing for appearances sake.
AS usual Eliza Reed was the belle of
the occasion. Good looks, entire self.
possession, and keen satrical wit al
ways assured her that position; and this
night she shone with unusal brilliancy,
until, as the hours wore away, and Mapes
came not, she began to lose herself in
pondering why, and at length she asked
Timms:
as your friend Mapes aiIing?"
81 guess not, replied Timms; "saw him
to-day. He wasn't complaining.
"IIe denies himself much pleasure
said Eliza, "in not coming here tonight
for this is the place where we always
have good time. Aunt Judy knows how
to give an apple-6ee."
"You let Mapes alone" answered
Timms; che knows what he's about"
"What do you mean?" asked Eliza.
ooh, | mean," replied Timms, "tha
Mapes is the prince OF good fellows, an(
gets invitations where the rest of III
don't"
"Whereis Mapes to-night9" asked Eliza
now fully aroused.
81 don't know, for sure" answered
Timms. ''IIe told me to-day there were
special reasons for his coming here, bu
that he had an invitation to the rich anC
aristocratic Squire Huntoon's, who i
celebrating his daughters birthday, anC
that he didn't know which way he woulC
go;" and Timms turned away to talk t.
the next prettiest girl in the room.
Petted 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 pos
sible delay, Mrs. Timms. The next morn
ing the engagement was announced, ant
preparations for the wedding commenced
Timms was eXultant Happy Timms!
For few days Timms was not mucl
seen in public, perhaps for want of coul
age TO wear his blushing honors openly
perhaps for want of courage to meet othe
contingencies-who knows But a ma
cannot make arrangements for his ow
wedding from a fixed standpoint, and h
was compelled to venture out. In quit
and secluded by.way he met Mapes, TIL
meeting TO him was a surprise he smile
feebly, and he extended his hand. Br
Mapes, intent on business, stlo ode squar
ly up to Timms and planted vigoror
blow on one of his eyes, which cause
that gentleman to measure his length
the dust Timms sprang to his feet an
showed fight, hut another blow on IL
other eye sent him again to grass, whel
he continued to lie.
Get up" said Mapes.
You'll knock me down again, sal
Timms.
eyes" returned Mapes, "I will"
"Then / won't get up" said Timms.
you're an internal scoundrel," sa
Mapes.
"I can't help your saying so" answers