The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-11-27
THE END OF A RIVALRY.

spent two days OF last week revisit
ing N, one Of those pretty, thriving,
picturesque towns which dot the mag
nificent landscape Of Western Pennsylva-
MIA, and which are miniature cities in the
energy, progressiveness, education and
cultivation of their inhabitants and mod
els of advanced municipal regulations.
During my residence there, my most
intimate friend and the one whose house
l most frequentcd, was DR.. Thomas
Wood, who had moved to N-from Phil
adelphia, upon the death of his wife, ten
years before, bringing with him his lit
tie daughter Belle, who, at the time Of
which write, had grown up to be the
acknowledged beauty fthe town. The
house they occupied was an old-fashion-
cd brick mansion in the centre of the
town, which DIR. Wood had modcrnized
by the addition OF huge bow window,
which was always filled with geraniums,
myrtles and roses, that, with couple Of
small orange trees, were the admiration
of the ncighborhood. Not that DIR.
Wood had any horticultural tastes, on
the contrary he was very severe on the
devotion Of minds to such trifles as
flowers, fancy work, music and dancing;
but then bluc.eyed Belle Wood differed
with him, and plainly told him so, in the
sweetest, sauciest and most lovable man.
ner.
Upon the opposite side OF the street
there had just been completed, at the
time OF which speak, 4 row of houses
of an unusual imposing appearance, and
which were dignified by the high-sound-
ing name of "Maple Terrace, that be-
ing the kind of tree which was the most
conspicuous by its absence in the imme-
diate locality. They were all to let, al
though the last finishing touches had
been put on them in the way of paint
and paper, and they wanted nothing save
furniture and human beings to make
them assume civilized and respectable
appearance.
Calling one afternoon 1T the doctor
house, saw evidence of life in the ter
race, and upon inquiry of Belle ascer.
tanned that two Of the houses had been
taken.
"Papa is quite pleased" said she, "for
you know that he looks upon those
twelve houses as twelve new patients.
"But," said |, "have you not read the
advertisement, "healthy and airy situa.
ton, imposing neighborhood and only
one physician1"
"Oh, yes" smiled Belle, "but sick
ness, ! am sorry to say, is very apt to
run about at some time or other, even
in airy situations.
Two days afterward another bill was
taken down, and in my strong interest
in the terrace, which l had seen grow
up under my own eyes, Immediately
called to congratulate Belle.
"Oh, yes !" she exclaimed, with un-
usual eagerness, "and | think by fam
lily that will prove valuable addition to
the neighborhood, for very handsome
and distinguished looking Young gentle
man drove up there this morning and
spent an hour looking over the house,
and suppose he has taken it,"
II was several days before / saw her
again, and then she caught me by the
hand, drew me rapidly to the window,
and with hasemi-tragic expression pointed
to the house over the way. l looked,
and, to my astonishment, saw on the
shutters, painted in large gold letters,
Edmund Rand, M. D."
ga rival, indeed" said I, "promising
a Montague and Capulet state ofthings." "
"But perhaps Romeo and Juliet may
be found to terminate it."
"Don't laugh" replied Belle, grave
ly; "papa is vexed and indignant
Imagine two physicians in this locality |
It's all the fault Of that advertisement"
"Some scheming young man has seen
it, and finding no hope Of practice else
where has come here. l suppose he is
as poor rs rat"
AT this instant three wagons full Of
new furniture stopped in front of DR..
Rand's door, and Belle absolutely turn
ed pale upon discovering that it was Of
the most elegant and costly furniture.
"The wretch has gos young wife,
too I" she exclaimed, as q piano and harp
came to view, and then she added rising,
"this will never do, they must be put
down at once, they are strangers in the
neighborhood we are we'll known.
have plan which think will effectual-
lydispose Of the interlopers. Twill give
an evening reception and ball, and will
at once prepare list Of people we can
invite"
Laughing at the wicked ingenuity Of
the plan by which the enemy was to be
crushed by the mere force Of numbers OF
her allies, assisted her in preparing the
list, which had already become a very