Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1888-12-27
OBJECTIONABLE PETS.

Mr.. Perry was an old bachelor, and Miss
Briggs was an old maid. He lived in the
brick house on the hill, and she in the
cottage opposite, and they were mortal
enemies. He despised her because she
kept two cats and canary, and she
loathed him for his affection for huge
mastiff and an old knock kneed horse.
why on earth the man don't try to
get decent horse Is more than can
maginel' she would say, as he plodded
up to the door. II believe that he is too
mean and miserly to buy one."
Miss Briggs would have hardly felt
pleased had she known that Mr.. Perry
rode back and forward on this worn out
piece of horsefesh for the purpose Of an
noying her.
They never spoke, but yet they man
aged to keep up perfect warfare by dis
agreeable manners and wrathful glances.
She sat hour after hour beneath the
canary bird in the window, with her cat
perched upon the sill and her knitting in
her hand, throwing glances of scorn to
the opposite side, where he, with cigar
and newspaper, received and paid them
back with interest.
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
bowling 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
inclosure and devoured his turnips and
cabbages, and he led her home and in
formed Miss Briggs that second offense
would give her comfortable pasture in
the pound.
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" said Mrs. Perkins one
afternoon, as she entered the cozy par
lor, Il am going to have a party, and !
want you to come down in the afternoon
to tea and remain during the evening.
Every one will be there"
"Will the old bach over the way be
there?"
"Mr. Perry? Oh, yesl We could not
get along without him."
"Then that settles the matter, shan't
CO."
Nov. Julia, don't be so foolishl 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 that,
and she 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
afternoon and remain for the party.
She was a pretty little woman, and it
was always puzzle to every one why she
never married. She had round. rosy
race, clear brown eyes and beautiful hair,
and if she was thirty, there was not a
smarter woman in town.
She stood before the looking glass in
her chamber, and fastened her lace collar
over the neck of her dress with plain
gold brooch, and began to think that she
looked very well. There was bright,
healthy flush upon her cheek. and her
eyes were full Of life and beauty.
She walked into Mrs. Perkins sitting
room and found her awaiting her with a
smiling face. She thought that she must
DO in a very good humor, but said moth
ng, allowing the good lady to smile as
ong and pleasantly as she wished.
She understood it all when supper time
,ame, end Mr.. Perkins entered, followed
~ Mr.. Perry. This was we'll laid plan
% make the two become friends.
Miss Briggs bit her lips and inwardly
7owed that nothing should tempt her to
give that man" her hand in friendship.
She hated him, and always would.
BE wa placed directly opposite at the
able, and many times forced to pass the
biscuits or preserves. and Miss Briggs ac-
epted them. although she declared to
Mrs. Perkins after supper that they nearly
hoked her.
Before evening they were both per.
uaded to overlook the horse and cow
lificulty, and be civil. and Miss Briggs
vas frightened when she found herself
alking to him with easy and pleasant
amiharity.
The party was q success, and although
he sports were generally monopolized BY
he younger portion, they found room for
he old maid and her enemy, and several
ines they found themselves doing most
idiculous things in the way of paying
orfeits.
At the end of the evening Miss Briggs
7as at the door ready to depart, when he
allied:
Miss Briggs. I am going right up your
ray. Will you rider"
Would she ride behind that old horse,
nd beside that detestable man2 She was
whether she would or not,
yhen Mrs. Perkins came and triumph |
ntly led her out, end packed her into the |
arriagc.
1t was IS dark es pitch, and they had
, let the horse go his own way and find |
; the best he could. He did SO very well |
ntl they reached the cottage, and then
Q was bewildered.
Mr.. Perry spoke, jerked the reins, but
} no purpose. Ho then took out the
hip. Whether his natural dislike to
nat article, or the memory of the indig-
tiles he had suffered from the hands Of
he owner of the cottage overcame him it
hard to decide, but ct all events he
licked up his heels, ran few yards and
IL, overturning the buggy and it's pre-
Gus contents.
Miss Briggs was up in moment, un-
armed, but Mr.. Perry was silent as the
rave. She ran shouting through the
arkness until Mr.. Perry's ''help" came
ith lantern to her assistance.
They found the poor man half dead be-
cath the carriage, and while Dan was at
ork Miss Briggs ran home for her own
,rvant. After much hard labor they
in extricating him from the
reck, but ho was senseless, and they
ore him home and sent for the doctor.
pom examination thev found