The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1889-03-21
ALLs WELL THAT ENDS WELL.


Old knock kneed horse
Why on earth the man donl iry h. gel
dscsn. horse 10 more than | eau imagine
abe would say. as be plodaed up TO ib
door. I believe thai he is too lncan sn'
niserly to buy one.
Miss Briggs would have hardly iel
pleased bad she known that Mr. PER-.
rode back and forward on this worn-ou
piece Of horsehesh Tor the purpose OF an
noyiog her
They never spoke, but vet they managed
to keep up perfect vsrefsre by disagree
able manners and wrsthiul elancea
| She sat bour after hour beneath the ca
nary bird 10 the window, with ber cat per
ched upon the sill and her knitting IN her
hand. throwing slances OF scorn to The
opposite aide. where be. With cigar and
newspaper, received and paid them back
with interest.
His de,estsble dog came over aud ran
through her garden, destroying all her
beautiful tulips and byscintha and she
gave him hot bath. which sent him howl
ipg to bis master. and when said master
demonstrated, sent word that she would
treat him worse next time.
Her little red COW broke through his in
closure and devoured bis turnips and cab
bsges. and he led her home aud informed
Miss Briggs that . second ofense 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. Twas pity. the neighbors all
said, for Miss Briggs was dear little soul
and there was not finer man in the coun-
try than Mr.. Perry.
julia, my love, said Mrs. Perkins one
afternoon. as she entered the coy parlor,
| am going to have a party, and l want
you to come down in the afternoon to tea
and remain during the evening. Every
one will be there
viii the old bach over the way be tbere2
Mr. Perry? Oh, yes We could not get
along without him.
Then that settles the matter; / shsn't
go.
Now. Julia. don't be 80 foolishl III you
remain at home be will 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 80 for the
world--the conceited wretch.
Mrs. Perkins went home and II was ar.
ranged that Miss Briggs was to spend the
afternoon and remain for the party.
She was pretty little woman. and it
was always puzzle to every one why she
never married. She had round. rosy
face. clear brown eyes aud beautiful hair,
and il she WAS thirty, there was not a
smarter woman in town
She stood before the look glass in the
chamber. and fastened her lace collar over
the neck OF her dress with . plain gold
brooch. and began to think that she look.
ed very we'll. There was bright healthy
flush upon her cheek, and her eyes we're
full Of life aud beauty.
She walked into Mrs. Perkins sitting
room and found her awaiting her with
smiling face. She thought that she must
be 10 very good humor, but said nothing
allowing the good lady to smile as long
aud pleasantly as she wished
She understood 1t oil when supper. time
came, aud Mr.. Perkins entered. followed
by Mr.. Perry. This was vell.laid plan
to make them become friends.
Miss Briggs bit he lips, and inwardly
vowed ihrl nothing should tempt her to
"give that man" her hand 10 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 &C.
cepted them, although she declared TO
Mrs. Perkins after supper that they nearly
cboked her
Before evening they we're both persuad
oil to overlook the horse and COW dIflicul.
ty. and be civil, and Miss Briggs was
frightened when sne found herself talking
TO him with easy aud pleasant familiarity.
The party was success. and although
lhe sports we're generally monopoiizsd by
lbe younger portion, they found room for
The old maid and her enemy. and severs
lines they fonDd themselves doing riiicu-
ous things 10 the way Of playing forieits.
A, the end Of the evening" Miss Briggs
vas at the door ready to depart. when he
called:
Miss Briggs, am going right up your
ray. Will you rider
Would she ride behind that old horse
ind beside that detrstsble man? She was
sopderipg whether she would or not, when
Mrs. Perking came and trinmpbsntly led
,er ont And packed Der into the carriage.
II Was as dark /. pitch and they had TO
et the horse 60 bis own wsy and fnd i
,5e ted be could. He did 40 very we'll
intil they resched the cottage, and then
be vas Lesiidered.
Mr. Perry spoke. ierked the reins, but
o no purpose. He then took out the whip.
Whether bis natural dislike to .ha, article
" ibe memory Of the indigriiles he had
Iugrred from the bands Of the owner OF
he cottage overcame him, II is hard 10 de-
,ide, bu, 8, all events be kicked up bis
,cels. isa lev yards aud fell, l,overinrbine
be buggy and its precious contents.
Miss Briggs ~ss up 10 . moment. M
.xv.sa bnf NJ p.yyy Ga. silaNt A. IN.