Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-11-08
OBJECTIONABLE PETS

OBJECTIONABLE PETS
Baous Monthly.
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 be-
cause she kept two cats and a canary,
and she loathed him for his affection for
a huge mastiff and an old kn0ck-kneed
horse.
"Why on earth the man don't try to
get decent horse is more than | can
imagined" 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 horsehesh for the purpose of an
moving her.
They never spoke, yet they managed
to keep up perfect warfare by disagree
able 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 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 of
fense would give her a comfortable pas
ture in the pound.
For two years they lived and fought,
and no one could bring about peace be-
tween them. 1t was pity, the neigh
bors said, for Miss Briggs was a dear
little soul, and there was not finer man
in the country than Mr.. Perry.
"Julia, my love-" said Mr.. Perkins one
afternoon, as she entered the cozy par
lor, Il am going to have party, and l
want YOU to come down in the afternoon
to tea snd remain during the evening,
Eve.. one will be there"
"Will the old bach over the way be
there?"
"Mr. Perry? Oh, yes! We could not
get along without him."
"Then that settles the matter; | shan't
60"
"Now, Julia, don't be so foolish! If
YOU remain at home he'll think that you
are afraid of him.
Miss Briggs thought the matter over,
Well, it would look little like that, and
she would not have him think so for the
world-the cOnceited wretch.
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 puzzle to every one why
she never married. She had a round,
ROSY face, clear brown eyes and beauti-
full hair, and if she was thirty, there was
not smarter woman in town.
She stood before the looking glass in
her chamber, and fastened her lace col
lar over the neck of her dress with a
plain gold brooch, and began to think
she looked very well. There was a
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 she must
be in a very good humor, but said moth
ing, allowing the good lady to smile as
long and pleasantly as she wished.
She understood it all when supper
time came, and Mr.. Perkins entered,
followed by Mr.. Perry. This was well
laid plan to make the two become
friends.
Miss Briggs bit her lips and inwardly
vowed that nothing should tempt her to
"give that man" her hand in friendship.
She hated him, and always would.
He was placed directly opposite at the
table, and many times forced to pass the
biscuits or preserves, and Miss Briggs
accepted them, although she declared to
Mrs. Perkins after supper they nearly
choked her.
Before evening they were both per
suaded to overlook the horse and COW
difficulty, and be civil, and Miss Briggs
was frightened when she found herself
talking to him with easy and pleasant
familiarity.
The party was success, and although
the sports were generally mOnOpolizeC
by the younger portion, they found room
for the old maid and her enemy, anC
several times they found themselves do
ing most ridiculous things in the way
of paying forfeitS.
At the end of the evening Miss Briggs
was at the door ready to depart, wher
he called:
"Miss Briggs, 1 am going right VI
your way. Will you rider"
Would she ride behind that old horse
and beside that deteStable man? Sh,
was wondering whether she would o
not, when Mrs. Perkins came and tri
umphantly led her out, and packed he
into the carriage.
1t was as dark as pitch, and they hat
to let the horse go his own way and flint
it the best he could. He did so yer.
well until they reached the cottage, ant
then he was bewildered.
Mr.. Perry spoke, jerked the reins, bu
to no purpose. He then took out th
whip. Whether his natural dislike t
that article, or the memory of the indig
mites he had suffered from the hands
the owner of the cottage overcame hill
it is hard to decide, but at all events h
kicked up his heels, ran a few yards an
, fell, overturning the buggy and its pr
| ciOus contents.
) Miss Briggs was up in moment, III
harmed, but Mr.. Perry was silent rs I'll
!, grave. She ran shouting through I'll
' darkness until Mr.. Perry's 'help' can