Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-07-30

completely the rivals had fooled each 9th.
er, each believing all the time that the
game was all on his own side, and White
laughed too at the thought ofhaving played
such a'trick on Brown;
Brown was the only one that didn't
laugh. The thought Of having been made
such fool of, didn't thy any means inspire
him into merry mood.
81 can't stand this!" thought he, scowl-
ing at the key.hole. 81 must have my
turn no&. White may take my place here
in The dark, if he likes, and I'll step Into
the sitting room. ,,1-ssS ~e =
- He stole cautiously out at the back.door1
and proceeded around the house.
A minute after Lydia and. her dear
White, who we're having fine time, heatd
footsteps approaching the door.
sits fatherP' cried Lydia, believing The
old gentleman had really come. "You
mustn't be seen, White. Run in here and
get out Of the house as soon as possible!'
She pushed White into the kitchen and
fastened to the front door.
| Having made up her mouth to give her
dear father a sweet kiss the moment h5
entered, she stood ready to throw her arms
bout his neck-when to her astonishment,
who should appear but-Brown!
| need scarcely inform the reader that
White, impelled by the same laudable Gu.
riosity which led Brown ID make the dis
covery we have seen, already had his eye
at the key-hole.
"W hat! you ugainF' said Lydia, be-
u tho1 eh ho-d
ed for her venerable parent. s'How glad
| am you have come back! But it is rash
in you"
s'Love makes the heart bold!" laughed
Brown, giving Lydia an extra hug for the
express benefit of w hite, who he. expected
was at the key hole. 81 began to think
the old man hadn't come after ali; so |
came back to bid you good.bye more de-
liberately.'
''Ah! you are a good fellow!n said
Lydia, f'but l can't let you stop now. |
really expect father every minute.''
"W ell, iii 60 soon, but must finish
telling you about how I bluffed off your
dear friend White-''
"My dear friend!' echoed Lydia, con-
temptuously. Il wish you knew how |
delest that fellow
81 thought SO and for that reason, when
had the talk with him on the re ad, as |
was telling you, out of consideration for
your feelings, | determined he shouldn't
vlsi. you tonight So followed him un-
til he ddn': dare come any farther, for
fear would mistrust he was coming 10
see you Didn't | buff him off! and
wouldn't laugh to see him enter now!"
"What fool have been making of my
sefP' thought White garing through the
key-hole. Brown is the man Lydia loves,
after all and instead of fooing him so COM
pletey as thought was doing; when we
met, he was all the time playing off con
temptible trick on me! in rush in demol-
ish him, and tell that laughing. saucy jade
just what think Of her!"
! White was on the point Of carrying this
savage resolution into effect, when an un-
usual buslie in the parlor caused him to
delay. He heard Lydia whisper-''Fath-
er's eomingp'-keart parting Kiss the
front door opening-and the next moment
Brown was thrust unceremoniously into
the kitchen where he himself was conceal
eds
Ffthe reader ina gines that the rivals, on
being shut up in a dark room together, flew
at each other like two hungry wild beasts,
wodld beg to inform them that he is very
much in error. The rivals did nothing of
the sort as we shall see.
Brown heard light (ootstsp, ard knew
White was in the room.
/ b. stMx, da,r collow-,, ha ,,b;ener,d
"W Wbatth deuce dofyou Want?" gro6led
the irrilated White.
"What rich joke! ha! ha!' laughed
Brown. 'sLyda thinks she has been ma
king fools of US, but believe we both un-
derstand her now perfectly
ssLittle doubt about that!' said White,
bitterly.
There's no use feeling sore about the
NATTER" observed the philosophical Brown.
.Our ACQUAINTANCE has commenced under
peculiar circumstances, and think it is
our duty 10 cultivate it. | overheard your
conversation with Lydia, looking through
the key-hoIe, and as you Witnessed my in
terview with her just now, we are even on
! that score. Give me your hand and let US
be sworn friends in future.''
81 am proud TO make your acquaint-
} Eance," said White, feeling much consoled
by his rivals philosophical harrangue.-
"We are quits as far as the joke is concern
!, ed; and as for that girl-that heartless CO.
quette-"
"We needn't quarrel about her." inter-
rupted Brown, '.lor she is not worth a
thought. / wonder how man of your
penetration never saw what she was be-
toreP'
eff SO shrewd man as you were de,
:: cef9ed," replied White, "what could be
expected OF me? But we both know hel
better now, and we can whistle her of
: without d pang."
"WLat sensible fellow you are!' ex.
+ claimed Brown, t'and what pity it is
n never made your acquaintance before!:'
i The rivals shook hands, and became
o sworn friends ON the spot:
Hearing Lydia's father talking very lou
n 10 her in the parlor, they thought it goo
IS time to make their escape, and gfided on
of the house unheard by either the old gen
to tleman or his daughter.
# On the following day, as Lydia wa
7. laughing heartily at her adventure on tn