Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-07-30
LYpIl LITTLE's LOVERS,
OR, TILE RIVALS IN A FIN T"
By rAuL cREYToN.

One tf the prettiest Iassies that ever grac-
ed a country dance or turned the head of
rustic lover, was Lydia Little, the subject
Of the following sketch.
Nobody could deny IT she was very pret
ty. Even her rivals allowed that she was
quite fascinating, and her bitterest enemies
declared that, after all, she acas a beauty.
Although Lydia was really handsome,
it was very unfortunate circumstance that
she sas conscious of the fact. 1t is no inju-
ry to a girl to be pretty. if she doesn't know
it; but ydia had quite as perfect a knowl-
edge OF her charms as-even her warmest ad-
tnirers; and the consequence was, she be-
came one of the most vain, shrewd and
heartless eoquettes that ever made a bon
fire Of true hearts in order to laugh at the
flame. ,az1,
lydia had ardent. admirers far and near,
for her beauty was famous in all the vii
lages within twenty miles Of the town IN
which her father, rich old farmer, re-
sided. s.2s<,ss5sz.xs.
Although lydia smiled on all, there were
only two who were known to possess very
great importance in her eyes, and who seem-
ed to cast ail her other lovers into the shade.
One cf these young men was named
white, and the other Brown. These, it
was said, were Ly dia's favorite colors, and
it only remained for her TO choose between
them. Indeed, it was a matter Of debate in
the village, whether it would be better for
her to become a little White or a tsttfe
Brotcu:
Messrs. White and Brown both lived at
distance from their mistress, but White
had the advantage over his rival, for he liv-
ed the nearest. these two gentlemen had
heard Of each other, and felt bound to hate
each other, although they had not the pleas
ure Of petsunat acquaintance. White
was afraid II Brown, and Brown was a
fraid Of White, so that Lydia, out of pure
kindness, was very careful that they should
never meet at her house.
If the. rivals feared each other, they fear
ed Lydia's father still more. He had triee
toput stop to her innocent Hirtations, ano
had frequently threatened to shoot her suit
ors if they didn't keep aloof. Besides that
hisname was Little, and he was a LITTLE
mar; but little as he was, he was LITTLE
fierce, and the beaux were not little afraie
Of his resentment.
One day when Lydia 5 father was gone
from home and was not expected back unit
late at night, she determined to send for ont
Of hersuitors to keep her company during
the evening. But which should she choose
Here was dilemma indeed. She reflected
that Brown was with her last, and feeling
that it would be unjust not to allow Whit
to come in his turn, she resolved that Whit
should be the man. So she dropped a lin
to White and had everything prepared fo
his reception in the evening.
Lydia felt so confident that her dea
White would fly to meet her, that she woul,
have been willing tosstake her life that h
would be there exactly at the appointe
hour. White was very punctual, and sh
felt that he loved her too we'll to allow any
thing whatever to interfere with the inte
view. -
However, as time passed, and he did nj
arrive at the moment, she began to chang
her mind, and to wonder bow she ever pc
mitted White to occupy the same hea
with such noble fellow as Brown.
Brown wouldn' have failed-he Wou
not, know
Such thoughts were running in her mil
when there was rap at the door. 81
knew White was there and forgetting h
resentment, few to admit him. What W
her surprise on finding that it was not Wh'
But Broacn!
aDon't be surprised" painted the deligl
ed lover. Il shouldn't have dared to COZ
-'fraid Of the old man-but saw him