The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1869-04-21
Miss Briggs Enemy.

pleased, had shc known that Mr.. Fer-
rv rode back and forward on his old,
worn-out piece Of horse1csh. merely
for the purpose Of annoying her.
They never spoke, but yet they man
aged to keep up y perfect warfare, Oy
disagrccable manners aud wrathlul
slauccs.
She sat hour by hour beneath the
canary bird in the window, with her
cats pcrchcd upon the ri ami her
knittin. in her hand throwing slancc'
OF scorn to the opposite side. where
!hr, with cigar md newspaper, and
boots few inches higher than his
head received, and puycd them back
with interest. :,
His dc,cstablc dog came over and
ran through her garden. destroying all
her beautiful tulips and hyacinth>, and
she uavc him hot bath which sent
him bowling to his master. and when
said master demonstrated. sent word
that she wuuld treat him worse next
time.
Her little rcd cow broke through his
enclosure and dcvoured his turnips
land cabba"cs. and he led her home,
and informed Miss Briggs that Sec
ond oil'rnsc would give her q comfort
able pasture in the pound.
For Two wears they lived aud fought,
land 10 one could bring about peace be.
tween them. 1t wna pity, the neigh
bor4 all said. for Miss Briggs wa4 II
dear little soul. and there was not II
finer man in the country than Mr.. Per-
iry.
"Julia. my love-" said Mr-. Perkins.
one afternoon rs she entered the COS!
parlor. am going to have pnrty.
land | want YOU to come down IN the
!a.tcrnoOn to tea. and remain during
,hr evening. Every one will he there.
"Will that old bach over the way DC
,hcrr:"
Mr.. Perry? o yes! We couldn't
get alon. without him"
Then that settles the matter. l
Shan't CO.
Now, Julia. don't be so foolish! II
you remain u, home he will think you
are afraid Of him."
! Miss Briggs thought th" matter over.
Well. it would look Il little like It, an!
she would no, have him think so for
the wor|d-thc conccitrd wretch!
Mrs Pcrkins went home. and il was
arranged that Miss Briggs waste spend
| the afternoon, and remain for the par
j ~.
She was y pretty little woman. and
il was always II puzzle 10 every one
why Shu never married. She had Il
round rosy face. clear brown eyes. aud
beautiful hair. and 4 sweet mouth. ana
il she waa near thirty there WAS not 4
smarter woman in town.
She stood before the gilt-'ramrd
looking glass in the little chamber,
and fastened the lace collar over the
neck OF her maroon colorcd dress,
with II plain gold brooch. and began to
think she looked very well. There
was bright healthy flush upon her
check and her eyes were full OF light
and beauty.
She walked into Mrs. Perkins sit.
tin. room. and she ronnd her awaiting
her with q smiling face. She thought
she must be in very good hnmor, but
said nothing, allowing the good lady
TO smile rs long and pleasantly as she
wished.
She understood it, NIL when supper
time c"mc, mud Mr.. Perkins cn;ercd
followed By Mr.. Perry. This was Il
well laid plan to make the two become
friends.
Miss Briggs bit her lips, and in
wardly vowed TINT nothing should
tempt her to give "that man" her
hand in friendship. She hated him.
lie was placed directly opposite at
81, fNrNnh
pass tho biscuits, cakes or preserves,
and Miss Briggs accepted them, al
though she declared to Mrs. Perkins
after supper, that they nearly choSed
her. it-r
Before evening they both were per-
suadcd to overlook the horse and COW
difficulty aud be civil, and Miss Briggs
was frightened when she found her.
self talking to him with case aud pleas
ant familiarity.
The party WAS success, and although
tho sports wcro generally monop0lizcd
by tho younger portion, they found
room for tho old maid and her enemy.
and several times she found herself
doing the most ridiculous things in
tho way Of paying torfeits.
| AK luc Chu w tuc CfohhhS -Nto'
Briggs was at the door ready TO de-
part, when Mr.. Perry called:
"Miss Briggs, am going right up
your way. Win you rido:"I IH7
Would sho ride, and behind that old
horse, and beside that detcstablo man !?
She as wondering whether she would
or not when Mrs. Perkins came aud
triumphsntly' led her out, and packed
her into tho carriage. t&F G4;'2 =,
1T was as dark as pitch, and they had
TO let tho horse 70 his own way. and
dud it the best he could. He did so
very we'll until they reached tho cot.
tasc, and then he was bcwildercd: <:
Mr. Perry spoke, jcrked tho reins,
but to no purpose. Hc then took out
| tho whip. Whether his natural dis.
! like Of that article, or tho mcmoryaof'
tho indisnitics he bud suffered from
ths hands Of the owner Of tho cottage
oyerca,ne him it is hard to decide, but
at all events he kicked up his heels,
ran few rods and fell, overturning
the buggy aud It's precious contents. 2,
Miss Rriggs was ur"in a moment;