Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-11-28
TIMMS' STRATEGY.

Mapes was chivalrous by nature. He
believed in seeking the bubble reputation,
even in the lannon's mouth. His enthu-
siasm 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, believed there
was policy in the 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 a momenta-
ny break in their friendship. 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 neighborhood belle, were to be
won and to those none others might as
pire in the face of such formidable compe-
tition as that of Mapes and Timms. They
alone-each by his own personality and po-
sition-had right to lay seige to the
heart of that variable, imperious 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 factions
known as the Mapesites and the Timms-
ties. And yet Miss Eliza could not be
brought to express a preference. If she
rode with one to-day, she was careful to
walk abroad with the rival tomorrow.
Coquetry is delicious to women !; and
Eliza would not have been feminine had
she been in haste to have made a selection.
Nevertheless, she did not intend to miss
her opportunity. She well new the war
could not last, and she feared that when
one of the aspirants for her favor with
drew from the contest, the love Of the
other, wanting stimulous 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 opportunity, it seemed,
was not to be long waiting for invita-
tions were given out for an apple-bee in
the neighborhood, and Eliza found means
to convey an intimation to Mapes that
she expected to meet him there, and count
ed OH his escort home at the conclusion of
the frolic.
The appointed evening looked for with
so much eager anticipation by Mapes came
at last. He felt that it was the most i'm
portant of his life, and arrayed himself as
only a rustic dandy can. His way lay
across a meadow, through which ran-or
rather loitered-a deep, but mario stream,
spanned by single log. It was so dark
when he reached this primative bridge that
he was compelled to feel his way slowly
across. AS he progressed it commenced
to swing very lightly something very I'M
usual-until he reached the centre, when
to his utter confusion it gave way and he
was launched into the water. He scramb.
led out, then suddenly the night became
luminous with that lurid light to which
the people refer when they say, in speak
ing of some profane wretch, HE swore
until all was blue'' Whatever illumina.
ting qualities this lurid light possessed, it
has no drying ones, and Mapes was forced
to bid adieu for the night to all hopes OF
plighting his troth to the loved Eliza.
La the rural districts down East in early
times, the good people had such habits OF
industry and rigid economy that they sell
dom gave or attended parties, unless such
as were cloaked under the names of rails
ings, cuttings, huskings, or apple-bees
thus the apple-bee, fraught with moment.
Gus consequences of Mapes and Timms
was but social party in disguise--a few
apples being pared, 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-posses
sion, and keen satirical wit assured he1
that position ; and this night she shone
with unusual brilliancy. until, as the hours
wore away, and Mapes came not, she be
gan to lose herself in bordering why, ano
at last she asked Timms
els your friend Mapes ailing ?"
II guess not, ''replied Timms; ''saw, hin
to-day. He wasn't complaining
ssHe denies himself much PLEASURE sale
Eliza, in not coming here tonight, fol-
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 che knows what he's about"
"What do you mean p asked Eliza.
sob, mean,'' replied Timms, "tha
Mapes is the prince of good fellows, ant
gets invitations where the rest of III
don't.''
"Where is Mapes tonight ?' askct
Eliza, now fully aroused.
II don't know for sure," answered
Timms. HE told me to-day there wer
special reasons for him coming here, bu
that he had an invitation to Squire Hun
toon's, who is celebrating his daughter
birthday, and that he didn't know wha
way he would co." and Timms turne
away to talk to the next prettiest girl il
the room.
/ Petted young women are seldom logica