Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-07-02

curity, then have no trouble with tax
es; my principal is secure, and receive
my interest regularly"
The explanation seemed satisfactory
to Lavinia, and the Generals courage
began to rise. Drawing his chair little
nearer to hers, he said:
$50 you are going to Europe soonp
EYES," replied Layinia, "Mr. Barnum
intends to take me over in couple of
months"
"You will find it very pleasant" re-
marked the General, II have been there
twice, in fact, l have spent six years
abroad, and l Ike the old countries very
much" tfsl
al hope l shall like the trip, and l
expect SHALL" responded Lavinia, "for
Mr.. Barnum says l shall visit all the
principal cities, and he has no doubt l
will be invited to appear before the
Queen of England, the Emperor and
Empress of France, the King of Prussia,
the Emperor of Austria and at the courts
of any other countries which we may
visit. Oh, shall like that, it will be so
new to me-"
YES, it will be very interesting, in
deed. l have visited most of the crown
ed heads,' remarked the General, with
an evident feeling of selfcongratulation.
But are you not afraid you will be
lonesomein strange country" asked
the General.
No, l think there is no danger of
that, for friends will accompany mo-"
was the reply.
Il wish | was going over, for l know
all about the different countries, and
could explain them all TO YOU remarked
Tom Thumb.
'rhat would be very nice, said Lavinia.
DO you think 500? said the General,
moving his chair still closer to Lavinia's.
of course replied Layinia, coolly,
''for /, being stranger to all the habits
and customs of the people, as well as to
the country, it would be pleasant to have
some person along who could answer all
my foolish questions -,,.raa
i should like it first rate, if Mr.. Bar
mum would engage me- said the General.
Il though you remarked the other day
that you had money enough. and was
tired travelling said Lavinia, with a
slightly mischevious look from one cor.
ner of her eye.
THAT depends upon my company
while travelling replied the General.
You might not find my company
very agreeablei
i would be glad TO risk it.
well, perhaps Mr.. Barnum would en-
gage you if you asked him. said Layinia.
sWoald you realty like TO have me
go?' asked the General, quietly insinuat
ing his arm around her waist, but hard
ly close enough to touch her.
'Of course would was the reply.
The little Generals arm clasped the
waist closer as he turned his face nearer
TO hers and said:
Don't you think it would be pleasant
er if we went rs man and wife?
The little fairy quickly disengaged his
arm, and remarked that the General was
funny fellow to joke in that way.
i am not joking at ALL said the Gen
eral earnestly, 1T is quite too serious
matter for that
Il wonder why the Commodore don't
come? said Lavinia.
i hope you are not anxious for his ar
rival, for l am sure I am not responded
the General, land what is more, / do
khope you will say yes before he comes
at all
sRealIy, Mr.. Stratton,' said Lavinia,
with dignity, if you are in earnest in
your strange proposal, must say l am
surprised
well, l hope you are not offended
replied the General, for | never was
more in earnest in my life, and hope
you will consent. The first moment
saw you I felt that you were created to
be nay wife,
But this is so sudden
Not SO eery sudden; it is several
months since we first met, and you know
all about me and my family, and l hope
you find nothing to object to in me-
Not at all; on the contrary | have
found you very agreeable, in fact 1 like
you very much as friend, but l have no
thought of marrying, and
and what? my DEAR said the Gener-
al, giving her kiss. Now l beg of
you, don't have any butts or lands
about it. You say you like me as a
friend, why will you not like me as a
husband! You ought to get married;
love you dearly, and / want you for a
wife. Now, deary the Commodore will
be here in few minutes-I NAV not
have a chance to see you again alone
do say that we viii be married, end
will get Mr.. Barnum to give up your en-
gagement.
Lavinia hesitated, and finally said:
Il think love you well enough to
consent, but have always said l would
never marry without my mothers con-
SENT
Oh! I'll ask your mother. May ask
your mother? Come, say yes to that,
and 1 will 90 and see her next week !.
May l do that, petg,
Then there was sound Of something
very much like the popping of several
corks from as many beer bottles. The
young eaves-droppers had no doubt as to
the character Of these reports, nor did