St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1888-06-09
TWO ENEMIES.
1liss Briggs and That ssConcsited
Wretch" Over the Way.

~3OSSA Ov0G tI10 W0ys
Mr. Perry was an old bachelor, and
Miss Briggs was an old mail. H.
lived m the brick house on the hill.
ard she in the cottage opposite. and
they wcH0 mortal enemies. He de.
spi>ed her because she kept two cats
aud canary. and she loathed him
for his affection for a huge masti1
and an old knOck-knccd horse.
why on earth the man don't try
TO get decent horse is more that
can imagined" she would say. rs he
ploddc.l mp 10 the door. Il believe
that he is too mean anl miscrly Ia
buy one"
cliss Briggs would have hardly felt
pleased had she known that Mr..
Perry rode back and forward on this
worn-out piece of horse flesh. for the
purpose of annoying her.
They never spoke. but vet they
managed 10 keep up perfec. war
fare. by disagrccable mann. .rs and
wrathful glanccs
She sat hour after honr beneath the
canary b,rl in the window. with her
cat perchcd upon the sill. and her
knitting in her hand. throwin z glances
Of scorn 10 the opposite side. where
he. with cigar and newspaper. re-
ceive,l. and paid them back with in.
terest
His detcsta able dog came over and
ran through her garden. destroying
all her beautiful tulips and hyaeinihs.
and she gave him hot bath which
sent him bowling to his master. and
when said master demonstrated. sent
word that she woulI treat him worse
next time.
Her little red COW broke through his
lnclosurc and devourcd his turnips and
cabbagcs and he led her home. and
informed NJ S. Briggs that a second
ofFcnsc would give her q comfortable
pasture in the pound
For two years they lived and fought.
and no one could bring about peace
between them. 1t was a pity, the
ncighbors 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
parlor. Il am going to have a party.
and want you 10 come down in the
afternoon TO tea. and remain during
the evening. Every one will be there"
will that old bach over the way be
thcre?"
Mr. Perry? oh. yes! We could not
get along without him"
Then that settles the matter ]
sha'n't GO"
Now. Julia. don't be so foolish! II
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 worll-thc conceited wretch!
Mrs Perkins went home. aud it was
arranged that Miss Briggs was TO
spend the afternoon. and remain for
the party.
She was a pretty little woman. and
il was always puzzle 10 every one
why she vcr married. She had a
round rosy face. clear brown eyes.
and beautiful hair. and il she was
thirty there was not smarter WON.
an in town.
She stool before the looking-gla ass
in the chamber. and fastened her lace
collar over the neck Of her dress with
a plain gold brooch. and began 10
think that she looked very we'll There
was a bright healthy flush upon her
cheek. and her eyes were full Of ligh,
and beauty.
She walked into Mrs. Perkins sit
ting-room. and found her awaiting
her with a smiling face. She thought
that she must b, in very good hu-
NOR. but said nothing. allowing the
good lady 10 smile as long and pleas
antly rs she wished.
She understood il all when supper
time came. and Mr. Perkins entered
f,llowed BY Mr.. Perry. This was a
we.l-laid plan to make the two become
friends.
Miss Briggs bit her lips. and M
wardly vowed that nothing should
tempt her 10 give .rhat man" her
hand in friendship Snc hated him
and always would.
H. was placed directly opposite at
the iab.c. and many times forced 10
pass the biscuits or preserves. and
Miss Briggs accepted them. although
she declared 10 Mrs. Perkins after sup
per. 'ha, they nearly chokcd her.
Before evening they were both per-
suadcd TO overlook the horse and COW
difficulty and be civil. and Miss Briggs
was frightened when she found herself
talkin. to him with easy and pleasant
familiarity.
The parry was a success. and al
though the sports were generally
monopolizcd by the younger portion.
they found room for the old maid and
her ..aemy. and several times they
found themselves doing most ridicr-
lous things ia the way Of paying for
fcitS
At the end Of the evening Miss
Briggs was :t the door ready to de-
part, when he called: