River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-07-29
TBlAIS SAWED THE LOG.

believed in seeking the bubble repu-
JatiOn. even in the lannon's mouth.
His enthusiasm was aroused by the re-
cital of stories of deeds of desperate
daring. while be had nothing but con-
tempt for even success won by crooked
aud indirect means. Timms, on the
contrary, believed there was policy in
war. and that the end justities the
means. particularly if the end was at
aimed. Companions from infancy
heir lives had been spent in COMPETE
ton for scholastic and such other
honOrs as the locality afforded. without
even mOmentary break in their friend
ships. But now. in early manhood,
they struggled for prize of incalcul-
able value, with an ardor that threat
ened complete rupture of friendly re-
lations. The heart and hand of Eliza
Reed, the neighbOrhOOd belle. were TO
be won, and to these none others might
aspire. in the face of such formidable
competition as that of Mapes and
Timms. They alOne-each by the vir-
tue of his own personality and position
had 4 right to Jay a siege to the heart
Of that variable. irritable, imperi9us
beauty, and for months the trisfe be-
/ tween them had gone on. Each one
had called into play all his personal
+ and social resources; for the local So
cietv had taken such an interest that it
was divided into two factions, known
IS the Mapesites and Timmsites. 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 delicate TO a woman,
and Eliza would not have been feI.Ii-
nine had she been in haste to have
made an election. Nevertheless, she
/ did not intend 10 miss her opportunity
/ She knew we'll the wSr could not al
/ ways last, and feared that when one of
/ the aSpirants for her favor withdrew
I 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 favor
/ able opportunity, she would signify to
1 Mapes that his suit, so often pressed.
was at last accepted. The opportu-
nity, il seemed. was not to be long
wanting, for invitations were given
out for an apple-bee in the neighbOr-
/ hood. and Eliza found means 10 con-
yey an intimation to Mapes that she
/ expected to meet him there, and count
| ed OF his escort home ut the conclusion
of the frOlic.
The appointed evening looked for
with sucn nervous anticipation by
Mapes, came at length. He felt that
/ il was the most important 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,
/ SPAWNED by a single log. IL was so
dark when he reached this primitive
/ bridge that he pas compelled To feel
/ his way slowly across As he progress
sed il commenced to spring lightly
something very unuSual-until he
reached the center. when, to his utter
confusion, it gave way, and he was
/ launched into the water. Hescrambled
/ 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 illum-
/ mating qualities this lurid light pos
sessed. il had no 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. unless such as were clOaked
under the names of Taisings, cuttings,
huskingS or apple-bees; thus. the apple
/ bee fraught with momentcus conse-
quences to Mapes and Timms, was but
q social party in disguise-a few apples
/ being pared. quartered, cOred and
strung in the early evening for APP
pearanceS' sake.
As usual. Eliza Reed was the belle of
I the occasion. Good looks, entire self
+ possession. and a keen. satirical wit
+ ALWAYS assured her that position; and
/ this night she shOne with unusual
& AAlAuENs Until u. INT hOuAS hOAI
away and Mapes came not. she began
TO loose herself in bordering why, and
nj length She asked Timms:
lis your friend Mapes ailing?''
Il guess not. replied Timms; ''saw
him to-day. He WASH complaining. -
He denies himself much pleasure.
said Eliza. in not coming here to-
night, for this i the place where we
always have a good time. Aunt Judy
knows how to give an apple-bee.'
You let Mapes alone, : answered
Timms; "he knows what he's about. y
what do you meah?" asked Eliza.
ION. mean, replied Timms, ''that
Mapes is the prince of good fellows
and gets invitations where the rest OF
us don't
Where i Mapes tO-night?' asked
Eliza. now fully aroused.
Il don't know for sure, answered
ITimms. He told me today there
were special reasons for his coming
here. but that he had an invitation tC
the rich and aristOcratlc Squire Hun
toon 5. who Is celebrating his daugh-
ter's birthday. and that he didn't know
which way he would go, and Timm',
turned away TO talk TO the next pref
test girl in the room.
Pettied young women are seldom
logical or patient. When the party
broke up. Eliza accepted Timms
escort To her home. and, before they
arrived there. she had consented e
become. with the least possible delay
Mrs Timms. The next morning tho
engagement was announced, and prep
aratiOns for the wedding commenced
Timms was exultant-happy Timms'
For a few days Timms was not mucl
seen in public-perhaps for want o
courage to wear his blushing honor
openly: perhaps for waut of courage Il
meet other contingencies-whO knows
But a man cannot make arrangement
for his own wedding from a fixe'
standpoint. and he was compelled &
venture out. In quiet and SECLUDED
by-way he met Mapes. The meeting
to him was a surprise; he smiled feebl.
and extended his hand. But Mapes
intent on business. strobe squarely al
to Timms and planted vigorous blow
on one Of his ewes. which caused tn
gentleman TO measure his length in tn
dust. Timms sprang To his feet an
showed fight. Sut another blow on tn
other eve sent him again TO grass