The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-04-02


would not have him think so for the world
the conceited wretch
Mrs. Perkins went home, and it was ar
ranged that Miss Briggs was to spend the af-
ternoon, and remain for the party.
She was pretty little woman, and it was
always puzzle to every one why she never
married. She had a round, rosy face; clear
brown eyes, and beautiful hair, and sweet
little mouth, and if she was near thirty,
there was not smarter woman in town.
She stood before the gilt framed looking
glass iu the little chamber, and fastened her
lace collar over the neck of her maroon col.
ored dress, with plain gold brooch, and be-
gan to think that she looked very we'll -
There was q bright healthy flush upon her
cheek, and her eyes were full of light and
! beauty.
She walked into Mrs Perkins sitting
| room; and found her awaiting her with
smiling face. She thought that she must
be in very good humor, but said nothing,
allowing the good lady to smile as,long and
| pleasantly as she wished.
She understood it all when supper time
came, and Mr.. Perkins entered followed by
Mr.. Perry. This was well laid plan to
make the two become friends!
| Miss Briggs bit her lips, and inwardly
vowed that nothing should tempt her to give
THAT man her hand in friendship. She
hated him and always would"
He was placed directly opposite at the ia
| BILE, and many times forced to pass the bis
cult, cakes or preserves, and she, Briggs, ac-
cepted them, although she declared to Mrs.
Perkins after supper, that they nearly choked
her.
Before evening they both were persuaded
| to overlook the horse and COW difficulty and
be civil, and Briggs was frightened when the
found beraelf talking TO him with easy and
pleasant familiarity
The party was success, aud although the
sports were generally monopolized by the
younger portion, they found room for the old
found themselves doing most ridiculous things
in the way of paying foreits.
At the end of the evening Miss Briggs was
at the door ready to depart, when he called:
"Miss Briggs, | am going up your way
Will you waltz
Would she ride behind the old horse, and
beside that detestable man? She was won.
dering whether she would or not, when Mrs
Perkins came and triumphantly led her out
and packed her into the carriage.
1t was dark as pitch, and they bad to let
the horse 90 his way and find it the best he
could. He did so very well until they reach.
ed the cottage, and then he was bewldered.
Mr.. Perry spoke, irrked the reins, but to
no purpose. He then took out the whip
Whether his natural dislike to the article, or
the memory of the indignities he bad suffered
from the hands of the owner OF the cottage
overcome him it is hard to decide, but at all
events he kicked up his heels, ran few rods
and fell, overturning the buggy and its pre-
cous contents.
MiSc Rritrrc W. nm n a p1Omnnt unhnrm-
ed, but Mr.. Perry was as silent as the grave.
She ran shouting through the darkness until
Mr. Perry's "hep' came out with lantern
to her assistance.
They found the poor man half dead beneath
the carriage, and while Dan was at work,
Miss Briggs ran home for her own servant.
After much labor they succeeded in eXtricat-
ting him from the wreck, but he was sense
les, and they bore him home and sent for the
village doctor. Upon examination they
found his leg to be broken, and thus Miss
Briggs enemy was ut her mercy.
The days and weeks that followed were
dreadful ones to the poor sufferer, but Miss
Briggs never left him. Day and night She
stood beside him, and her little plump hand:
administered to every want,
She forgot the COW and his turnips. lie
forgot tie cats aud canary. He only saw d
| little patient woman, WIN pretty rosy lace,
trim figure and tender hands, and-would you
believe it? he fell in love with her.
How could he help it? She had sat by him
through the dreary days of pain, she had
brought him her preserves, her wines aud nice
mvigorating cordials. She had made blanc
mango and delicate custaras and in all prob
ability saved his life.
What could he do? Nothing but fall il
love.
Miss Briggs!" he said, one day when he
was able to sit up
"Well Mr.. Perry?'
"You have been very good to me, and
feel as though | owe you a great deal.
There! now stop right where you are
You owe me nothing"
"But would you mind if trespassed lit
tie further on your good nature?'
"Not at all. "
"Well, Miss Briggs, will you take me il
charge for the rest of my natural life?
"What?"
"WiIl you marry me? There!'
Miss Briggs blushed and her answer cam'
thus:
81 will marry you.
There was wedding in church few
weeks later, and Mrs. Perkins prepared thu
wedding supper
Mr. and Mrs Perry live in the brick house
and the cottage is rented to u young man an'
his wife. to whom Mrs. Perry bequeathe'
her cats and canary.
The mastiff and the knock-kneed old hors
are with the forefathers.