The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-24
OBJECTIONABLE PETS.

Drlck mouse on the NH, anu sue IN the
cottage opposite, and they were mortal
enemies lie despised her because she
kept two cats and canary. aud she
loathed him for his affection for huge
mastif and an old knock knecd horse
I why on earth the man don't try 10
get a decent horse is more than can
imagined" che would say, as he plodded
up 70 the door II believe that lie Is too
mtan and misery TO buy one.
Miss Briggs would have hardly felt
pleased had she known that Mr.. Perry
rode back and forward OF this worn out
piece Of horsefesh for the purpose Of an.
moving her.
THY never spoke but yet they man
aged to keep mp perfect warfare by dis
agreeable manners and wrathtul glances.
She sat hour after hour beneath tho
canary bird in Che window, with her cat
perched uponthe sill and her knitting in
her hand, throwing glanccs Of sco-n TO
the opposite side, where he, with cigar
and newspaper, received and paid them
back with interest.
His detestablc 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 rens nstrated, sent word that she
would treat him worse next time
Her little red cow broke through his
inclosurc and devoured his turnips and
cabbages, and he led her home and in
formed Miss Briggs that a second oifcnsc
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. II was pity, the neigh
bors all sand, for Miss Briggs was dear
little soul, and there was not q finer man
in the country than Mr. Perry
Julia, my love, said Mrs Perkins one
afternoon, as she entered the coy par
Tor, Il am going to have party, and !
want you TO come down in the afternoon
10 tea and remain during the evening
Every one will be there"
"Will the old bach over the way be
thereY'
Mr.. Perry? Oh, yesl 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 lac viii think that
you are afraid of him
Miss Briggs thought the matter over
Well. il would look q little like that,
and she would not have him think So tor
the world-the conccted wretch.
Mrs. Perkins went home and ii was ar
ranged that Mss Briggs was 10 spend the
afternoon and remain for the party
She was a pretty little woman, and it
was always puzzle TO every one why She
face, clear brown eyes and beautiful hair.
and if she was thirty, there was not "a
smarter woman i'm 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 90 think that she
looked very well There was q bright,
healthy flush upon her cheek, and her
ewes wcro 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 a very good humor but said moth
ing, allowing the good lady to smilc as
long and pleasantly as she wished
She understood it al when supper time
came end Mr. Perkins entered. followed
bv Mr. Perry This was a well laid plan
to make the two become friends
Miss Briggs bit her lips and inwardly
vowed that nothing should teIlpt 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 70 pass tho
biscuits CT preserves and Miss Briggs ac-
cepted them, although she declared TO
Mrs Perkins after supper that they nearly
choked her.
Before evening they were both per-
suadcd TO overlool, the horse aud COW
difiicuity, 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 nonopolizcl by
the younger portion, tl.oy found room for
the old maid and her enemy, and several
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 ride.
Would she ride behind that old horse,
and beside that detestable MANI She was
wondering whether she would or not,
when Mrs Perkins came and triumph
antly led her out, aud packed her into the
carriage.
1t was as dark as pitch, and they had
10 let the horse go his own way and find
it the best nc could. lie did 50 very well
until they reached the cottage, and then
he was bcwildcred.
Mr.. Perry spoke. jerlSed the reins hut
TO no purpose lie then tool, out the
whip Whether his natural dislike -
that article on Ito memory of the indig.
mites he had suiies q from the hands Of
the owner OF the cottage ovcrcamc him 1t
is hard 20 decide, but at all events he
Kicked up his heels, ran few yards and
fell, overturnng the buggy and its pre-
oiops 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.. Peuy's help came
with a lantern to her assistance.
They found tho poor man half dead be
meath the carriage, and while Dan was at
,.a,i. Mice R,.ffrps nan homo for her own