Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-01-09
MISS BRIGGS ENEMY.

/
were mortal enemies. He despised her
because she kept canary and two cats,
and she hated him for his affection for
lhuge mastiff and knock-kneed horse.
"Why on earth the man don't get a de-
cent horse is more than can imagineT
she would say, as he plodded up to the
door. Il believe he is too mean and mi
hserly TO buy one.
Y Miss Briggs would hardly have felt
pleased had she known that Mr.. Perry
rode back and forward on this old, worm
out piece of horse-flesh merely for the
purpose of annoying her.
y They never spoke, but yet managed to
keep up perfect warfare by disagree
able manners and wrathful glances.
She sat by the hour beneath the canary
bird in the window, with her cats perched
Hupon the sill and her knitting in erhand
throwing glances of scorn to the oppo-
site side, where be, with cigar and news
paper, and boots O few inches higher
than his head, received and paid them
back with interest. 0
His detestable dog came over and ran
through her garden, destroying all her
beautiful tulips and hyacinths, and she
gave him a hot bath which sent him
howling to his master, and when said
master demonstrated, sent word that she
would treat him worse next time.
! Her little red COW broke through his
enclosure and devoured his turnips and
cabbage and he led her home and in
formed Miss Briggs that a second offense
would give her comfortable pasture in
the pound. 1
For two years they lived and fought,
and no one could bring about peace be-
tween them. 1t was a pity, the neigh
bors all said, for Miss Briggs was dear
little soul, and there was not finer man
in the country than Mr.. Perry" ..
Julia, my love, says Mrs. Perkins.
hone afternoon, as she entered the cosy
parlor, Il am going TO have party, and
/ want you to come down in the after
noon to tea, and remain during the
evening. Every one will be there.
"Will that old bachelor over the way
he there Y n9i aIiN
"Mr. Perry2 Oh, yesl We couldn't
get along without him.
"Then that settles the matter. /
shan't go.
"Now, Julia, don't be so foolish If
you remain at home, he will think that
you are afraid of him. =
Miss Briggs thought the matter over.
Well, it would look a little like it, and
she would not have him think so for the
world--the conceited wretchl
Mrs. Perkins went home, and it was
arranged that Miss Briggs was to spend
the afternoon, and remain for the party.
She was a pretty little woman, and it
was always q puzzle to every one why
she never married. She had round,
trosy face, clear brown eyes. beautiful
hair and sweet mouth, and, although
past thirty, there was not smarter wo-
man in town.
! She stood before the, gilt-framed mir
ror in the little chamber, and fastened
her lace collar over the neck of her
maroon-colored dress with plain gold
brooch, and began to think she looked
very well. There was bright healthy
| flush upon her cheek and her eyes were
full of light and beauty
She walked into Mrs. Perkins sitting
room, and found that lady awaiting her
with a smiling face. She thought she
must be in very good humor, but said
nothing, allowing the good lady to smile
as long and as pleasantly as she wished,
She understood it all when supper time
came, and Mrs. Perkins entered, followed
| by Mr.. Perry. This was well laid plan
/ to make the two become friends.
Miss. Briggs bit her lips, aud inwardly
vowed that nothing should tempt her to
give that man /" her handin friendship.
She hated him. ..s-.......
He was placed directly opposite her at
the table, aud many times was forced to
pass the biscuit, cakes and preserves,
and Miss Briggs accepted them, although
she declared to Mrs Perkins after sup
per that they nearly choked her
| Before evening they both we're per-
suaded to overlook the hose and COW
difficulty, and be civil, and Miss Briggs
was frightened when she found herself
talking to him with ease and pleasant
familiarity.
| The party was a success, and although
the sports were. generally monopolized
by the younger portion, they found room
for the old maid and her enemy, aud
several times she found herself doing the
most ridiculous things in the way Of
paying forfeits.
At the end of the evening Miss Briggs
was at the door ready to depart when
called. alf..l isfh.
"Miss Briggs, | am going right up
Jour way. Will you rider
Would she ride, and behind that old
horse, and beside that detestable manr
She was wondering whether she would or
not, when Mrs, PERKINS came and tri-
umphantly led her out, and packed her
into the carriage.
twas as dark as pitch, and they had
to let the horse 90 his own way, and find
it the best he could. He did very well
until they reached the cottage, and then
he was bewildered.
Mr. Perry spoke. ierked the reins. but
to no purpose. He then took out the
whip. Whether his natural dislike Of
| the article, OF the memories of the indig-
mites he had suffered from the lands of
( the owner Of the cottage overcame him,
/ il is hard 10 decide, but at all events he
kicked up his heels, ran few rods and
fell, overturning the buggy and its pre-
/ cious contents.
Miss Briggs was up in a moment, IN
/ harmed, but Mr.. Perry was as silent as
Z the grave. She ran shouting through
the darkness, until Mr. Perry's help Z"
| came out 70 herassistanee. They found
the man half dead beneath the carriage,
and while Dan was at work, Miss Briggs
ran home for her servant After much
hard labor they snopeeded in extricating
him from the wreck; but be vas sense
I less. aEd they bore him homo, 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. A,I.N a.. ~, 4
The days and weeks that followed
were dreadful ones 70 the poor sufferer,
but Miss Briggs never left him. Day
and night she stood beside him, and her
! f...l- -, h.,l ,d,,,r,;stara1 A.. axorv