Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-09-23
miscellaneous.
THE RIVALS.

iItEh RIVALS.
"Good morning, madam" said Arthur Heart
bright, as he entered the parlor and advanced to
Miss Wieland, who was seated in handsome
damask chair, in trifng conversation with a
young gentleman, who, at the appearance of
Arthur, seemed surprized, and in return, coldly
acknowledged similar sauaton
Good morning." responded Miss Weland.
81 have called to have the pleasure of waiting
upon you to the exhibition. l perceive, by the
journals of the day, it will close tomorrow
| Miss Wieland cast look of confusion at the
gentleman with whom she had been in converse
men looked suspiciously at each other. A dead
pause ensued.
"Shall 1 have the pleasure of your society,
Miss Wieland % asked Arthur.
"Why, really, Mr. Heartbright," answered
Miss Weland, cit had completely escaped my
memory, and | have just promised Mr.. Douglas,
here, to accompany him to the Floral exhibition ."
The gentlemen glanced at each other sulky,
which, Miss Wieland observing, continued, ssOh /!
| beg pardon it had also escaped me that you
were unacquainted. Mr.. Douglas, Mr.. Heart
brlght-Mr. Heartbright, Mr.. Douglas," and she
elegantly swung herself in her chair and cast
her eyes over the pages of volume. The young
gentlemen advanced towards each other, and ex-
changed the cold and formal grasp of introduce
| ton
81 am sorry that Miss Wieland's memory
should have been treacherous," SAID Arthur,
tll, /
ton to my prior claim, and join US in our visit to
the academy"
| frown settled the brow of Douglas,
while, in proud tone he replied, sThat depends,
| sir, solely on the pleasure of Miss Wieland."
"Exactly So answered Arthur, "and by her
decision am willing to abide"
| The young lady was puzzled she knew not
how to answer; preyarlcation could not avail
her; she had given her promise to each of them,
and she could not reply without offending one or
both. At length, after pause, she stammered
out, "Sette it between you, gentlemen"
The rivals were nonplussed at this diplomatic
answer, and feeling it point of honor and pride
that neither should yield, each took his station
by the fireplace, while breathless silence reign.
ed in the apartment, broken only by the monoto-
nous sound caused by Miss Wieland in her
rockng-ch
How long the parties might have continued so
it is difficult to tell, had not Hannah, Miss VIE
lands waiting woman, entered, to inform hel
mistress that Mr.. Fitztaddle, waited to convey
her in his carriage, on a short country excursion
The announcement acted like a shock o
electricity on Douglas and lleartbright. The for
mer seized his hat, which, in his confusion, he
dropped, and STOPPING to recover it, brought his
head in contact with the corner of the piano
Arthur wished her the adeus of the morning
and much enjoyment from her excursion, anC
quitting the room, was followed by Douglas, in
not the most placid humor, suffering as he did
from chagrin and the pain arising from his con
fusion.
The two crest-fallcn SWANS, on reached the
door, beheld the elegant equippage of Franci.
Fitzfaddle, Esq, in waiting for Miss Wieland
with the effeminate owner reclining in one corne
of the carriage, from whose person thousand
perfumes exhaed to the contamination of tht
bland breezes of a beautiful June morning, at TIN
same moment Hannah aflectedly told the servan
that her mistress would be with Mr.. FHsstadal
Immediately.
Heartbright and Douglas looked at each other
and burst into an immoderate fit of laughter, an