The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1869-06-29


The General met us at the depot in
Bridgeport on Saturday morning, and
drove us to my house i'll his own car
riage his coachman being tidily dress
ed, with broad velvet ribbon and sill
yer buckle placed upon his hat, express
ly for the occasion. Lavinia was duly
informed that this was the Generals
turn out )" and, afte: resting half an
hour at Lindencroft, he took her out to
ride. He stopped a few moments at
his mothers house, where she saw the
apartments which his father had built
expressly for him, and filed with the
most gorgeous furniture all cores
ponding to bis own diminutive size.
Then he took her to East Bridgeport,
and undoubtedly took occasion to point
out in great detail oil the houses which
he owned, for he depended much upon
having his wealth make some impress
ion upon her They returned, and the
General stayed to lunch. asked La
yinia how she liked her ride she re-
piled
1T was very pleasant, but" she ad-
ded, "it seems as if you and Tom
Thumb owned all OF Bridgeport"
The General took his leave and re-
turned at five o'clock to dinner, with
his mother. Mrs. Stratton remained
until seven o'clock. She expressed her
self charmed with Lavina Warren but
not suspicion passed her mind that
little Charlie was endeavoring to give
her this accomplished young lady as a
daughter-in law. The General had pri-
vately asked me to invite him to stay
over night, for said he, "If l get q
chance, intend to pop the question
before the Commodore arrives" SO /
told his mother thought the General
had better stop with us over night, as
the Commodore would be up in the
late train, adding that it would be more
pleasant for the little folks to be to-
gether. She assented, and the General
was happy.
After tea Layinia and the General
sat down to play backgammon. AS nno
o'clock approached remarked that i
was about time TO retire, but somebody
would have TO sit up until nearly eleven
o'clock, IN order to let in the Commo-
dore. The General replied
Il will sit up with pleasure If Miss
Warren will remain also.
Layinia carelessly replied that she
was accustomed TO late hours, and she
would wait and see the Commodore
A little supper was placed upon the
table for the Commodore, and the fam.
lily retired.
Now, 1t happened that couple oi
misehievous young ladies were visiting
at my house, one Of whom was to sleep
with Lavinia. They were suspicious
Chat the General waH going TO propo SO
70 Lavinia that evnning, and in spirit
OF ungovernable curiosity they determ-
ined, Notwithstanding its manifest i'm
propriety, TO witness the operation, il
they could possibly manage to do 50 on
( the sly. OF course THIS was inc1cusA-
bic. the more so as 50 few Of my read.
ers. had they bcen placed under the
same temptation, would have bee q
guilty Of such an impropristyl Per.
haps ! should hesitate 10 use the testi-
mony of such witnesses, Of even 10 trust
it. But q few weeks after they told the
little couple the whole story. were for,
gwen, and ali had hearty laugh over
il
4 II 20 happened that the door oi the
sitting-roon. in which the General aud
Lavinia were left At the backgammon
board. opened into the ball inst At ths