Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-07-02
TOM THUMBS COURTsHIP.
BY P. t. BARNUM.

The General met us at the depot in
Bridgeport on Saturday morning, and
drove us to my house in his own car
riage-his coachman being tIdily dressed
with broad velvet ribbon aud silver
buckle placed upon his hat, expressly for
the occasion. Lavinia was Gully inform
ed that this was the Generals ''turn out"
and, after resting half an hour at Lippen-
croft, be took her out to ride. AS stop
ped a few moments at his mothers
house, where she saw the apartments
his father had built expressly for him,
and filed with the most gorgeous furni-
ture-all corresponding to his own d.
minutive size. Then he took her to East
Bridgeport, and undoubtedly took occa
sion to point out in great detail all the
houses which he owned, for he depended
much upon his wealth making some i'm
preston upon her. They returned, and
the General stayed to lunch. / asked
Lavinia how she liked the ride; she re-
Piled:
at was very pleasant; but" she add
ed, sit seems as if you and Tom Thumb
own about 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 herself
charmed with Lavinia Warren; but not
suspicion passed her mind that little
Charlie was endeavoring to give her this
accomplished young lady as daughter
in-law. The General had privately
asked me to invite him to stay over
night, for, said be, "If | get chance l
intend to pop the question before the
Commodore arrives" So l told his
mother that l thought the General had
better stop with US over night, as the
Commodore would be up in the late
train. She asseuted, and the General
was happy.
After tea Lavipia and the General sat
down to play backgammon. As nine
o'clock approached, | remarked that it
was about time to retire, but somebody
would have TO sit up until nearly eleven
o'clock in order TO let the Commodore
in. The General replied:
al will sit up, with pleasure-if Miss
Warren will remain, Also"
Lavinia carelessly replied that she was
accustomed 10 late hours, and she would
wait and see the Commodore. A little
supper was placed on the table fer the
Commodore, and the family retired.
Now it happened that couple of
mischievous young ladies were visiting
at my house, one of whom was to sleep
with Lavinia. They were suspicious
that the General was going to propose
to Lavinia that evening, and in spirit
of ungoyernable curiosity they determin-
ed, Notwithstanding its manifest impro-
priety, to witness the operation, if they
could possibly manage to do SO on the
sly. OF course this was inexcusable, the
more so as so few of my readers, had
they been placed under the same tempt.
alton, would have beep guilty of such an
impropriety. Perhaps l should hesitate
to use the testimony of such witnesses,
or even to trust it. But few weeks
after they told the little couple the whole
story. were forgiven and we all had a
hearty laugh over it.
1t so happened that the door of the
sitting room, in which the General and
Lavinia were left at the backgammon
board, opening into the hall just at the
side of the stairs, and these young misses
turning out the lights in the hall, seated
themselves upon the stairs in the dark,
where they had full view of the coy
little couple, and were within easy ear
shot of all that was said.
The house was still. The General
soon acknowledged himself vanquished
at the backgammon, and gave it up. AT
ter sitting for few moments he evident
ly thought it was best 10 put clincher
on the financial part of liabilities; SO he
drew from his pocket policy of insur.
ance, and handing it to Lavinia, he asked
her if she knew what it was.
Examining it she replied, ats an in.
surance policy. l see you keep your
property insured"
"But the beauty of it is, it is not my
property" replied the General, "and yet
l get the benefit of the insurance in
case of fire. You will see," he continued,
unrolling the policy, ''this is the proper
ty of Mr.. Williams. but here you will
observe it reads 'loss, if any, payable to
Charles S. Stratton, as his interest may
appear The fact is, l loaned Mr.. Will
Hams three thousand dollars, took a
mortgage on his house and made him
insure it for my benefit. In this way,
you perceive, l get my interest," and he
has to pay the taxes"
"This is very wise way, / should
think" remarked Lavinia.