Now that we’ve discovered her, Miss Laura Jean Libbey has become indispensable! I think some readers of Old Spirituals have offered quite as good advice as Miss Libbey, though not with her downright and forceful style!
Dear Miss Libbey: A certain young man has been calling on me for nearly two years and we are secretly engaged and love each other dearly. On several occasions, after becoming engaged to me, he took the liberty to call me down about little matters which did not concern him or, in other words, got bossy. I was not used to this, and in reply to such remarks I was provoked to say that “if he did not want to come he didn’t have to,” or “If he didn’t like it he didn’t need to come any more.”
He took serious offense at this, and, although he had said as much to me, that “If I didn’t want him to come he wouldn’t,” he termed what I had said to him, being in my home, an insult. Should he be so touchy or should I apologize? L. G.
You were foolish to speak so rudely. Rudeness never pays. If you really love the fellow, better apologize. Better tell him you are sorry that you spoke so rudely. Don’t let foolish pride come between you and the man that you care for.
Dear Miss Libbey: I have always wanted to be 16 and have the boys walk home from school with me. But now that I am 16, I am very much disappointed, as none of the boys have offered to walk home with me. Will you please tell me how I can become popular with the boys? OLD MAID.
You are entirely too young to waste your time thinking about boys. Study your lessons. Try to learn something.
Dear Miss Libbey: I am 25, and have been keeping company with a young woman of 21 for more than a year. I am sure that she is fond if me. But when I proposed to her, she said she did not love me and could not marry me. For about six months she would not give me an answer but while she was away on a visit, she told me this in a letter. I have not mentioned the matter to her since. Should I take her ‘no’ as final and cease my attentions or, as long as there is no other person that she prefers to me, should I keep her for my sweetheart with the hope that she may yet love and marry me? JIM.
Yes, Jim, do as you suggest; keep on going ahout with her. I am sure you will win her yet, but you will have to be patient—very, very patient.
Dear Miss Libbey: I am in love with a girl who is in love with me. I gave up drinking, gambling, and gave her everything I possessed. We get along all right, only she is inclined to be jealous and kicks on me playing cards. We had a quarrel last night about my playing cards with some of her relatives. Now please tell me how it can be overcome and oblige. CHRIS.
Leave cards entirely alone, Chris. Playing cards is really time wasted. You can use your time to so much better advantage.
Dear Miss Libbey: I have never been in love until about eight months ago. While on my vacation last summer I met a young man who seemed to think that I was everything to him that life contained, and within two weeks asked me to marry him. As I was much in love with him, and still am, I accepted him.
About three months ago he took me to see his folks. They treated me nicely but since then have circulated false reports detrimental to my character. He has been influenced by these reports and wants to break off our engagement.
He has stirred within my soul the deepest love I have, and I don’t know how I can give him up. As my wedding day was to be only a few weeks hence, I wish you would tell me, if you can, how I may regain his love and confidence. If he still refuses to have anything to do with me, would you forget him? I will try to do as you advise. BROKEN HEART.
old spirituals 
“LG” should move on to another beau. It appears he is a possessive type who will always be correcting her and trying to control her when married. Marriage is a partnership not a command-and-control relationship.
“Old Maid” needs her self-confidence boosted. Telling her she is too young doesn’t answer her question or contribute to the development of her self-confidence.
“Jim” should have been told that “Absence” is supposed to make the “heart grow fonder.” It didn’t work for Jim. He should find another lady . . . . his age.
“Chris” is obviously being controlled if the “girl” is telling him not to do things he enjoys in moderation. If he is playing an innocent game of cards like “Hearts,” “Canasta,” etc., perhaps he should offer to teach her how to play. If, in fact, he is playing Poke for money, she may have a right to be concerned.
“Broken Heart” likely did not meet the expectations of “his” parents. He is tied to his parents purse strings or is a Mommy’s boys. She should be told to find a “real man.”
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This made me laugh! I had some of the same thoughts but you’ll see I hold my commentary on Miss Libbey posts. I’m a little afraid to contradict her. I imagine her disapproving frown all too clearly. But now that you mention it, I feel emboldened enough to say that her advice to LG and Chris really surprised me. In LG’s case, wasn’t her beau rude first? It seems like it would be better if she didn’t allow her boyfriend to treat her like that, as it would only get worse. And with Chris, I did a double-take on her advice. Isn’t the problem more the girlfriend than the cards? (At least the way Chris described it.) What do I know though?
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The only good advice I see was to Broken Heart.
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This was a controversial one from Miss Libbey! I thought her advice to LG and Chris was…not great. I have more of her columns but I decided to schedule them so they have some space between them. Like a strong spice, a little of Miss Libbey can go a long way. We’ll see if she redeems herself when she reappears!
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