Year: 1869




Briggs was an old maid He lived in the
brick house on the hill, and she lived in the
cottage opposite, and they were mortal enc
mics. He despised her because she kept a
canary and two cats, and she hated him for
his affection for a huge mastiff and knock.
kneed horse.


why on earth the man don't get de-
cent horse is more than 1 can imagined" she
would say, as he plodded up to the door Il
believe that he is too mean and misery to
buy one"


Miss Briggs would hardly have felt pleas
ed, had she known that Mr.. Perry rode back
and forward on this old, worn out piece of
horsefesh, merely for the purpose of annoy
ing her.


They never spoke, but yet they managed
to.keep up perfect warfare, by disagreea-
BILE manners and wrathful glances


She sat hour by hour beneath the canary
bird in the window, with her cats perched
upon the sill. and her knitting in her hand
throwing glances of scorn to the opposite
side, where he, with cigar and newspaper,
and boots few inches higher than his head
received, and payed them back with in
terest.


His detestable dog came over and ran
through her garden, destroying all her beau
tifu tulips and hyacinths, and she gave him
a 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 en-
closure and deyoured his turnips and cab
bages, and he led her home, and informed
| Miss Briggs that second oifense would give
her comfortable pasture in the pound


For Two years they lived and fought, and
no one could bring about peace between
them. it was pity the neighbors 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 cosy parlor, Il
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.


''Will that old bach over the way be
there"


MIR. Perry? o yes We couldn't. get
along without him"


Then that settles the matter | shan t
60"


1 stUw, J,IIia, uui fouItsIi 5ou
remain ut home he will think that you are
afraid of him


Miss Briggs thought the matter over
Well. it would lock little like it, and she
would not have him think SO for the world
-;he conceited 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 pretty little woman, and it was
always puzzle to every one why she never
married. She had round rosy face, clear
brown eyes. and beautiful hair, and sweet
mouth, and if she was near thirty there was
not a smarter woman in town.


She stood before the gilt framed looking
glass in the little chamber, and fastened her
lace collar over the neck of her maroon col
ored dress, with plain gold brooch, and
began to think she looked very well. There
was bright healthy flush upon her cheek
and her eyes were full of light and beauty.


She walked into Mrs Perkins sitting
room, and she found her awaiting her with
a smiling face. She thought she must be iu
a very good humor, but said nothing, allow
ing the good lady to smile as long and pleas
antly as she wished.


She understood it all when supper time
came, and Mr.. Perkins entered followed by
Mr.. Perry. This was well laid plan to
make the two become friends.
Miss Briggs bit her lips, and inwardly
vowed that nothing should tempt her to
give that man" her band in friendship. She
hated him.


He was placed directly opposite at the ia
bic, and many times forced to pass the bis
cults, 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
] WuSu Suc iouuu HefSc.l W uiu VIII
ease and pleasant familiarity.
The party was a success, and although the
sports were generally monopolzed by the
younger portion, they found room for the
old maid and her enemy, and several times
she found herself doing the 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 be
called:


Miss Briggs, am going right up your
way viii you ride p


Would she ride. and behind that old horse,
and beside that de,estabIe man? She was
wondering whether she would or not when
Mrs Perkins came and triumphantly 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 find it the
best he could. He did so very well until
they reached the cottage, and then he was
bewildered.


Mr.. Perry spoke, jerked the reins, but to