The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-09
MISS BRIGGS ENEMY.

MsNfAR. Perry was an old bachelor and
kys5 Miss Briggs an old maid and they
kSt1S lived opposite. They hated each
other cordially. His dog roamed through
her garden and her COW broke into his tur-
nip patch. For two years did they wrangle
and call each other hard names, and the
neighbors were heartily sorry to see two
such rice people Ierpetually at war. Now,
Miss Briggs had friend. Mrs. Perkins,
and that misunderstanding matron actually
gave supper and invited the belligerent
bachelor to be present
He was placed directly opposite at the
table, and many times forced 10 pass the
biscuits cakes or preserves, and Miss Briggs
accepted them, although she declared to
Mrs. Perkins, after supper, that they nearly
choked her.
Before evening they both were persuaded
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 n success, and although the
sports were generally monopollzed by the
younger portion. they found room Tor the
old maid and her enemy, and several times
they found themselves doing most ridiculous
things in the way of paying forfeits.
And the end of the evening Miss Briggs
was at the door ready to depart when he
called:
Miss Briggs, I am going right up your
way. VIII you ride?"
Would she ride behind that old horse, and
beside that detestable man? She was won
de.ing whether she would or not, when Mrs.
Perkins came and triumPhanty led her out
and packed her into the carriage.
1t was as dark as pitch, and they had to
let the horse go his own way, and mud II the
best he could. He did so very well until
they reached the cottage, and then he was
brwilderrd.
Mr.. Perry spoke, jerked the reins. but to
no purpose. He then took out the whip.
Whether his natural dislike to that article,
or he memory of the indignitieS he had suf-
Tered from the hand of the owner of the cot
tage ever came him, 1t is hard TO decide, but
at all events he kicked up his heels, ran
few rods and fell. overturning the buggy and
lis precious contents.
Miss Briggs was up in q moment, I'M
harmed, but Mr.. Perry was as silent as the
grave. She ran shouting through the dark
ness, until Mr.. Perry's help" came out
with a lantern to her assistance.
They found the poor man half dead be-
meath the carriage, and while Dan was at
work, Miss Briggs ran home for her own
servant. After much EaId labor they sue
ceeded in e%tTIcatng him from the wreck,
but he was senseless, aud they bore him
home and sent for the village doctor. Upon
examination they found his leg TO be broken,
and thus Miss Briggs eneuiy was at her
mercy.
Tie DAYS and weeks that followed were
dreadful ones to the POOR sufferer, and Miss
Briggs never left him. Day and night she
stood beside him, and her little plump hands
administered to every want.
He forgot the cow and his turnips. He
forgot tie cats and the canary. He only
saw a little, patient woman, with a pretty
rosy face. trim figure and tender hands, and
would yuu believe it? he fell in love with
her
How could he help ftp She had sat by him
through the dreary days of pain, she had
brought him her preserves, her wine and
nice invigcrating cordials. She had made
blanc-mange and delicate custards, anu III all
pTobabi i!y saved his life.
What could he do? Nothing but fall in
love.
Miss Brig gsP' he said. one day when he
WAS able TO sit up.
We'll, Mr.. PeIry?"
You have Deen very good to me, and l
feel as though l owe You a great deal"
There! now stop right where you are.
You owe me nothing"
But would you mind if l trespassed a
little further on your good-nature?"
Not at all"
We'll. Miss Briggs, will you take me in
charge Tor the rest Of my natural life"
w hat?"
"Win you marry me? Therep'
Miss Briggs bIuShed, aud her answer
came thus:
a Will marry you."
There was 4 wedding in church few
weeks later, and Mis-. Perkins prepared the
Wedding supper.
Mr.. ana Mrs. Perry lived in the brick
man and his vile, to whom Mrs. Perry be-
Queathed her cats aud the canary.
The maStn aud the knock-kneed old
horse are with their forefathers.-Ex.