Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-10-13
Miss BRIGGS Encny.

cottage opposite, and they were mortal one-
mics He dospiscd her because she kept
canary and two cats, and she hated him be-
cause he kept hugo mastif and o knock
kncod horse
"Why on earth the man don't get o decent
horse is more than / can imagine !" shewould
say as he plodded up to the door be-
lioye that he is too mean and miserable TO
buy onc'
Miss Briggs would hardly have felt pleased
had she known that Mr. Perry rode back and
forward ON this old worn-out piece Of horse
flesh merely for the purpose of annoying her.
They never spoke, but yet they managed
to keep up a perfect warfare by disagreeablc
manners and wrathiul glanccs.
She sat hour by hour beneath the canary
bird in the window, with her cats perchcd
upon the sill, and her knitting in her hand,
throwing gances Of scorn to theoppositc side,
where he, with cigar and newspaper, and
boots a few inches higher than his head, re-
ceived and paid them back with interest
His detestable dog came aud ran through
her gnrden thereby destroying all her beau.
tiful tulips and hyaciuths, and she gave him
a hot bath which sent him bowling to his
master and when said master demonstrated,
She sent word that she would treat him worse
next time.
Her little red cow broke through his en-
closure and deyourcd his turnips and cabbagos,
and he led her home and Informed Miss
Briggs that second ollense would give her
comfortable pasture in the pound.
For two years they lived and fought, and
no one could bring about peace between them
1t was pity, the neighbors all said " for
Miss Briggs was dear little soul, and there
was not a finer man in the country than Mr.
Perry"
Julia, my love-" said Mrs Perkins, one
afternoon as She entered the cozy parlor, "
am going to have party, and | want you to
come down in the afternoonto tea, and remain
during the evening. Everyone will be there "
"Wil that old bach over the way be there ?"
" Mr.. Perry2 Oh, yes We couldn't get
along without him
Then that settles the matter. shan't go"
Now, Julia, don't he so foolish If you
remain at home he will think you are afraid
of him.
Miss Briggs thought the matter over
Wen, it would look little like it, and she
would not have him think SO for the world
the conccted wretch
Mrs. Perkins went home, and twas arrang-
ed that Miss Briggs was to spend the after
noon and remain for the party.
She was pretty little woman, and it was
always puzzle to everybody why she never
married She had round, rosy face, clear
brown eyes, and beautiful hair and sweet
mouth, and if she was near thirty there wM
not smarter woman in that town.
She stood before the git-framed looking
glass in the little chamber and fastened he
| lace collar over the neck Of her maroon
colored dress with plain gold brooch, an'
began to think that She looked very well
There was a bright, healthy flush upon he
check, her eyes were full flight and beauty,
She walked into Mrs Perkins sitting
room and she found her awaiting her with
smiling face. She thought She must be i
very good humor, but said nothing, allowiu
the good lady to smile as long and pleasant.
as she wished.
She understood it all when supper tim
came, End Mr., Rerkins entered, followed b.
Mr. Perry. This was well laid plan t.
make the two become friends.
Miss Briggs bit her lips and inwardll
vowed that nothing should tempt her to giy'
that man her hand in friendship. She hated him
He was placed directly opposite her at the
| table, and many times forced to pass the bis
cults, cake or preserves, and Miss Briggs ac.
cepted them, although she declared to Mrs
Perkins after supper they almost choked her.
Before evening they were both persuaded
to overlook the horse and COW difficulty and
be civil, and Miss Briggs was frightened wher
she found herself talking to him with ease
and pleasant familiarity.
The party was a success, and although the
sports we're generally mouopoizod by the
/ younger portion, they found room for the old
maid aud her enemy, and several times she
found herself doing the most ridiculous thing
| in the way of paying iorfets.
At the end Of the evening Miss Briggs wai
at the door, ready to go, when he called out
Miss Briggs, | am going right up youl
way. win you ride
Would she ride, aud behind that old horse
and beside that detestublc man She was
wondering whether she would or not wher
Mrs. Perkins came and triumphantly led hel
out and packed her into the carriage.
1t was as dark as pitch, and they had to lei
the horse 90 his own way, and find it the
best he could. He did very well until they
reached the cottage, then he was bewildered
Mr. Perry spoke, jorked the rcins, but L
no purpose. He then took out the whip
Whether his natural dislike Of the article
or the memory Of the indgnites he had suf
fered from the hands of the owner Of the cot
tago overcame hia, it is hard to decide, bu
at all events he kicked up his heels, ran few
rods and fell, oyerturning the buggy and il
precious contents.
Miss Briggs was up in moment, unharmed
but Mr.. Perry was as silent as the grave
She ran shouting through the darkness, unit
Mr.. Perry's "help' came to her assistance.
They found the poor man half dead be
meath the carriage, aud while Dan was a
work, Miss Briggs ran home for her own ser
want. After much hard labor they succeeded
in extricating him from the wreck, but he
was senseless, and they bore him home, and
sent for the village doctor. Upon examina.
ton they found his leg to be broken, and thus
Miss Briggs enemy was at her mercy.
The days and weeks that followed were dread
full ones to the poor sufferer, but Miss Briggi
never left him. Day and night she stood be-
side him, and her little plump hands admins
tered to every want,
He forgot the COW and the turnips. She
forgot the cats and canary. He only saw a lit
tie woman, with pretty, rosy face, trim fig
ure and tender hands, and would you believe
| it, he fell in love.
How could he help it? She had sat by him
through long dreary days of pain, she had
brought him her preserves her wine anG nice
inyigorating cordals. She had made blanc
mango and oustards, and in all probability
saved his life.
What could he dot Nothing, but fall iu
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 | owed you great deal"
"Therc, now, stop just where you are.
You owe me nothing"
"But would you mind if | trespassed lit