The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1851-08-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
Lydia Little's Lovers;
OR, THE RIVALS IN A "FIX."
BY PAUL GREYToN.

One of the prettiest lasses that ever graced
country dance, or turned the head of lover,
was Lydia Little, the subject of the following
sketch.
Nobody could deny it; she was very pretty
even her rivals allowed that she was quite fas-
cinatng, and her btterest enemies declared
that after all she was beauty.
Although Lydia was really handsome, it was
a tery unfortunate circumstance that she was
conscious of the fact. Ii is no injury TO be a
pretty girl, if she doesn't know it; but Lydia
had quite as perfect knowledge of her charms
as even her warInest admirers, and the conse-
quence was, she became one of the most vain,
shrewd, and heartless coquettes that ever made
a bonfire of true hearts in order to laugh ut the
flames.
Lydia had ardent admirers, far and near, for
her beauty was famous in all the villages with
in twenty miles of the town in which her father,
a rich old farmer, resided
Although Lydia smiled on all, there were
only two who were known to possess very
great importance in her eyes, and who seemed
to cast all other lovers in the shade.
One of these young men was named White.
and the other Brown. These, it was said, were
Lyda's fayorite colors, and it only remained
for her to choose between them. Indeed, it
was matter of debate in the village whether
it would be better to become little 1Chue or 4
lille breacn.
Messrs. White and Brown both lived at a
distance from their mistress, but White had
the advantage over his rival, for he lived the
nearest. These two young gentlemen had
heard of each other, although they had not the
pleasure of a. personal dantance.-White
was afraid of Brown, and Brown was afraid 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 feared
Lydia's father still more. He had tried to put
stop to her innocent fiirations, and had repeat
edIy threatened to shoot her suitors if they
didn't keep aloof. Besides that his name was
Lille, and he was little fierce, and the beaux
were not little afraid of his resentment.
One day when Lydias father was gone from
home and was not expected back until late at
night, she determined to send for one of her
suitors to come and 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 White to come
in his turn, she resolved that White should be
the man. So she dropped a line to White, and
had every thing prepared for his reception in
the evening.
Lydia felt so confident that her dear White
would fly to meet her, that she would have
been willing to stake her life that he would be
there at the appointed hour. White was very
punetual, and she felt that he loved her too
well to allow anything whatever to interfere
with the interview.
However, as the time passed, and he,did not
arrive at the moment, she began to change her
mind, and to wonder how she ever permitted
White to occupy her heart with such noble
fellow as Brown.
"Brown wouldn't have failed--HE would not,
know"
Such thoughts were running in her mind,
when there was a rap at the door. She knew
White was there, and forgetting her resent
ment, flew to admit him. What was her sur
prise on finding that it was not White but
Brown!
aDon't be surprised" painted the delighted
lover. 81 shouldn't have dared to cnnae-'frad
of the old man-but | saw him-middle of the
can't hardly speak)-he wasn't coming home
till midnight"
$50 yog took an opportunity of visiting me
during MS absence, en-.
Lydia smiled on him at first, but then she
looked thoughtful and finally appeared quite
perplexed. She was considering what FIX
She would be in if White should be coming
along about that time.
you mustn't stop" said she, nervously.
@Fatherl be home expect him home every
ninute-and if he should find you"
.Pshaw there's no danger" said Brown. ade
won't be home yet awhile. And if he comes,
/ can slip into the kitchen and get out at the
back door"
Finding she could not send her lover away,
Lydia resolved to make the best Of him while
he stayed.
~oh, said Brown, @rve a rich joke to tell
you"
DO let me hear i"