Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-02-27

NEaprs was chivalrous by nature: he
h il,.yrd in seeking the bubble replLa
ton. even in the cannon's mouth.
Timnrs. on the contrary. believed there
was policy in war, and that the end jus
titled the means, particularly if the end
was attained Companions from in
fancy had been spent in competition for
scholastic and such other honors as the
locality afforded, without even mo-
mentary break in their friendship. But
now, in early manhood, they struggled
for a prize of incalculable value, with an
ardor that threatened complete rupture
Of friendly relations.
The heart and hand of Eliza Reed. the
aeighborhood 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.
CoQuetry is delicious to a woman, ana
Eliza would not have been feminine had
she been in haste to have made an cleo
ton. Nevertheless, she did not intend
to miss her opportunity. She knew we'll
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 COM
petition, would grow cold; hence she
had made her mind up that upon
the most favorable opportunity she
would signify to Mapes that his
suit, so often pressed, was at last ac-
cepted. The opportunity, it seemed, was
not to be long wanting, for invitations
We're 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 counted
on his escort home at the conclusion OF
the froliC
Tie appointed evening looked for with
such nervous anticipation by Mapes came
at length. He felt that 1t was the most
important Of his life, and arraycd him
self as only rustic dandy can. His way
lay across a meadow, through which ran
Or rather loitcred-a deep, but narrow
stream, spanned by a 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
began to swing lightly-something very
unusual-until he reached the center,
when, to his utter confusion, it gave way.
and he was launched into the water. He
scrambled out. and was forced to bid
adieu for the night to all hopes of plight
ing 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 were cloaked under the names
of rasings, quiltings, huskings, or apple
bees: thus, the apple bee fraught with
momentous consequences to Mapes and
Timms was but social party in disguise
"a few apples being pared, quartered,
cored, and strung in the early evening
for appearances sake.
AS usual, Eliza Reed was the belle OF
the occasion. Good looks, entire self
possession, and a keen, satirical wit
always assured her that position; and
this night she shone with unusual brill
fancy, until. as the hours wore away and
Mapes came not, she began to lose her
self in pondering why, and at length
asked Timms:
as your friend Mape5 ailing?"
81 guess not, replied Timms; saw
him to-day. lie wasn't complaining.
"Ile denies himself much pleasure,
said Eliza, in not coming here tonight,
for this is the place where we always
have a good time. Aunt Judy knows
how to give an apple bee.
You let Mapes alone" answered
Timms: she knows what he's about"
"What do you mean ?" asked Eliza.
"Oh, | mean" replied Timms, that
Mapes is the prince of good fellows and
gets invitations where the rest of us
don't"
Where is Mapes tonight" asked
Eliza, now fully aroused.
II don't know for sure" answered
Timms. "He told me to-day there were
special reasons for his coming here, but
that he had an invitation to the rich
and aristocratic Squire Huntoon'S, who
is celebrating his daughters birthday,
and that he didn't know which way he
would 60" And Timms turned away
to talk to the next prettiest girl in tho
room.
ical or patient. When the party broke
up Eliza accepted Timmss escort to her
home, and before they arrived there she
had consented to become, with the least
possible delay, Mrs. Timms. The next
day the engagement was announced,
and preparations for the wedding com
menced. Timms was exultant-happy
Timmsl
For few days Timms was not much
seen in public-perhaps for want OF
courage to wear his bushing louors
openly; perhaps for want Of courage to
meet some other contingencies WHO
knows? But man can not make ar
rangements for his own wedding from
fixed standpoint, and he was com.
PEELED to venture out. In "A quiet an!
secluded byway he met Mapes. Tha
meeting to him was n surprise; he
smiled feebly and extended his hand.
But Mapes, intent on business. strods
sqnareIy up to Timuls and planted :
vigorous blow ON one of his eyes
which caused that gentleman to measure
his length in the dust. 1imms sprans
to his feet and showed fight. bat an.
other blow on the other eye sent him
again to grass, where he continued IL
he
"Get up, J." said Mapcs
You'll knock me down again" SUD
Timms.
"Yes, returned Mapes, Il will