The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-12-21
OBJECTIONABLE PETS.

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 q 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 q decent horse is more than can
imaginel she would say, as he plodded
up to the door. II believe that he is too
mean and misery 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 horseiesh for the purpose Of an.
moving her.
They never spoke, but yet they man
aged to keep up perfect warfare by dis
agreeable manners and wrathful chances.
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 camo over and ran
through her garden, destroying all her
beautiful tulips and hyacinths, and she
gave him q 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
Enclosure and devoured his turnips and
cabbages, and he led her homo and in
formed Miss Briggs that a 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 q pity, the neigh
bors all said, for Miss Briggs was a dear
in the country than Mr.. Perry.
"Julia, my love-" said Mrs. Perkins one
afternoon, as she entered the coy par
lor, II am going to have q party, and
want you to como down in tho afternoon
to tea and remain during the evening.
Every one will be there"
f. "Will the old bach over the way be
theref'
''Mr. Perry? Oh. yes! We could not
get along without him."
Then that settles the matter, shan't
CO."
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, 1t would look little like that,
and she would not have him think so for
the world-the conceitcd 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 n pretty little woman, and it
was always q puzzle to every one why she
never married. She had round, rosy
face, clear brown eyes and beautiful hair,
and II she was thirty, there was not q
smarter woman in town.
She stood before tho looking glass in
her chamber, and fastened her lace collar
over tho 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
be in Q 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 we'll laid plan
to make the two become friends.
Miss Briggs bit her lips and inwardly
vowed that nothing should tempt her 70
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 ac-
copied them, although she declared to
Mrs. Perkins after supper that they nearly
choked her. l
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. 81 es a
The party was success, and although
the sports were generally monopolized by
the younger portion, they found room for
times they found themselves doing 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 he
called:
''Miss Briggs. ! am going right up your
way. VIII you rider"
Would shc ride behind that old horse.
and beside that detestable man? She was
wondering whether she would or not,
when Mrs. Perkins came and triumph
antly led her out, and packed her into the
carriage.
Il was rs dark rs pitch, and they had
to let the horse 60 his own way and find
It tho best he could. He did so very well
until they reached the cottage, and then
he was bewildcred.
Mr.. Perry spoke, jerked the reins, but
to no purpose. He then took out the
whip. Whether his natural dislike to
that article, or the memory Of the indig-
mites he had suffered from the hands Of
tho owner Of the cottage overcame him it
n hard to decide, but ut all events he
kicked up his heels, ran few yards and
fell, overturning the buggy and its pre-
cious contents.
Miss Briggs was up in moment, un-
harmed, but Mr.. Perry was silent as the
grave. She ran shouting through the
darkness until Mr.. Pcry's "help" camo
with lantern to her assistance.
They found the poor man half dead be-
meath the carriage, and while Dan was ut
work Miss Briggs ran home for her own
servant. After much hard labor they
succeeded in extricating him from the
wreck, but no was senseless, and they
bore him home and sent for the doctor.
Upon examination they found his leg to
be broken, and thus Miss Briggs enemy
was ut her mercy.