The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-02-16
Miss Briggs Enemy.

she lived N Tile cottage oppoSitcJ anu
they were mortal enemies. He de-
spiscd her because she kept canary
and two cats, and she hated him for
his affection for huge mastiff and a
knock -kneed horse. ,.. g.. ....
Why on earth the man don't get a
decent horse is more than can i'm
agiue = she would say as he plodded up
to the door. Il believe he is too mean
and miscrly to buy one
Miss Briggs would have hardly 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 managed to
keep up perfect. warfare by disagree
able manners and wrathful glances.
She sat by the hour beneath the ca
lary bird in the window, with her cats
perched upon the sill, and her knitting
in her hand, throwing glances of scorn
to the opposite side, where he, with
cigar and newspaper, and boots a few
inches higher than his head, received
and paid them back with interest. =.
The detestable dog came over and
run through her garden, destroying all
her beautiful tulips and hyacinths, and
she gave him a hot bath, which sent
him bowling to his master, and when
said master demonstrated, sent word
that she would treat him worse the next
time. .....
Her little red cav broke through his
enclosure and devoured bis turnips and
cabbage, and he led her home aud in
formed Miss Briggs that a second Of
fence would give her comfortable
pasture in the pound. 49,,
For two years they lived and fought,
and no one could bring about peace
between them. 1t was pity, the
ucigLbors all said, for Miss Briggs was
dear little soul, and there was not
finer man in the county than Mr. Per
ry.'
Julia, ny love- says Mrs. Perkins
one afternoon, as she entered the cosy
parl9r, 4 am going to have party, and
| want you to cone down in the after
noon to tea, and remain during the
evening. Every one will be there
'Will that old bachelor over the way
be there p ....
Mr.. Perry? Oh, yes! We couldn't
sct-along without -hia-,-
Thcn that settles the matter. I
shan't GO "
'Now Julia, don't be so foolish. If
you remain at home he will think that
you are afraid of him. g..
Miss. Briggs thought the matter over.
Well, it would look a little like, it and
she would not have him think so
for the worll-the conceited wretch! !
Mrs. Perkins went bome, and it was
arranged that Miss Briggs was TO spend
the afternoon and remain for the party.
She was pretty little woman, and it
was always a puzzle to every Que why
she never married. She had q round,
rosy face, clear brown eyes, beautiful
hair, and sweet mouth, and although
past thirty, there was not smarter
woman in town. -...
She stood before the gilt-framed mir
ror in her little chamber, and fastened
her lace collar over the neck Of her ma
room colored dress with a plain gold
breach, and began to think she looked
very well. There was bright, healthy
flush upon her cheek, and her eyes were
fall of light and beauty. ..,-
She walked into Mrs. Perkins sit.
ting groom, aud found that lady await,
ing her with a smiling face. She
thought she must be,ii very good
humor, but said nothing, allowing the
good lady to smile as long and as pleas
anlly as she wished. ,-a
She understood it all when supper
time came and Mr.. Perkins entered,
followed by Mr.. Perry. This was a
well,laid plan to make the two become
friends. .. a..a ..
Miss Briggs bit her lips, and inward
ly vowed that nothing should tempt
her to give shat man her hand IL
friendship. She hated i'm
He was placed directly opposite her
at tie table, and many times forced to
pass the biscuits, cakes, or preserves,
and Miss Briggs accepted them, al
though she declared to Mrs Perkins
after supper that they nearly chokcd
her.
Before evening they both were per-
suaded to overlook the horses and cow
difficulty and be civil, and Miss Briggs
was frightened when she found her
self talking to him with case and
pleasant familiarity.
The party was a success, and al
though the sports were generally mo-
nopolizcd 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 forieits.
At the end of the evening Miss
Briggs was at the door, ready to de-
part when called.
. Miss Briggs, I am going right up
your way. Will You ride?
Would she ride, and behind that old
horse, and beside that dctestablc man?
SLo ,.,. uo,1orinr whether shc woull