Smyrna times., 1869-07-14
MISceIIUm e OWS.
TOM THUMBS COURTSHHP.

The General met US at the depot in Bridge :
port on Saturday morning, and drove us to my
house in his own carrlage-hiSc cOachman being .
tidily dressed, with broad velvet ribbon and
silver buckle placed upon his hat, express
ly for the occasion. Lavinia was duly inform
ed that this was the Gener1s turn out; !"
and. after resting halt an hour at Lindencroft
he took her out to ride He stopped few
moments at his mother house, whele she saw
the apartment which his father had built ex-
pressy for him, and filled with the most geor-
| geOus furniture-all corresponding to his own
diminutive size. Then he took her to East
| Bridgeport, and undoubtedly took occasion to
point out in great detail all the houses which |
he owned, for he depended much upon having |
his wealth make some impression upon her |
They returned, and the General stayed to lunch |
| asked Lavnia how she liked her ride; she |
replied:
1t was very pleasant, but" she added sit
seems as if you and Tom Thumb own about all
of Bridgeport
The General took his leave and returned at
five o'clock to dinner, with his mother. Mrs.
. Stratton remained until seven o'clock. She
expressed herself charmed with Lavinia War
rem but not suspicion passed her mind that
Charlie was endeavoring to give her this accom-
plished young lady as daughter-in-law The
E General had privately asked me to invite her
to stay over night, for, said he, " If | get
change, | intend to. pop the question before
y er [ thought the General had better stop with
s us over night, as the Commodore would be up
: In the late train, adding that it would be more
1t pleasant for the little folks to be together. She
!. assented, and the General was happy.
d After tea Lavina and the General sat down
.ss s to play backgammon. As nine O'Clock ap-
+ preached remarked that it was about time to
IS retire, but somebody would have to sit up un-
: til nearly eleven O'clock in order to let in the
Of Commodore. The General replied:
# # " will sit up with pieasure-if Miss Warren
10 will remain Also"
Fy Lavinia careessly replied that she was accus-
3h toned to late hours, and she would wait and
re see the Commodore. A little supper was plac-
ed upon the table for the Commodore, and the
in family retired
p. .p. Now, it happened that couple of mischiev.
n n Gus young ladies visiting at my house, one
IA of whom was to sleep with Lavinia They
were suspicious that the General was going tC
of propose to Lavinia that evening, and in spirit
re- of ungovernable curiosity they determined, not
# withstanding its manifest impropriety to wit
- ness the operation, if they could possibly man
en- en- age to do so on the sly. Of course this was
% inexcusable, the more so as so few of my read
zen ers, had they been placed under the same temp
rD tatiOn, would have been guilty of such an i'm
- propriety? Perhaps | should hesitate to us
ted the testimony of such witnesses, or even tC
J. trust it. But few weeks after they told tn,
-, little couple the whole story, were forgiven
." and all had hearty laugh over it.
si esi; 1t so happened that the door of the sittn
and room, in which the General and Lavinia wer
~ left at the back CANNON board, opened into tn
sed hall just at the side of the stairs and theS
of young misses, turning out the lights in the hal
tes ed seated themselves upon the stairs in the dark
! while they had full view of the cosy couple
;" and were within easy ear-shot of all that wa
said.
The house was still. The General soon az
N knOwledged himself vanqushed at backgan
rica mon, and gave it up Alter sitting few mt
the ments he evidently thought it was best to pU
the cncher on the financial part of his abilities
cb so he drew from his pocket policy of insu
's is ance, and handing it to Lavina he asked be
ndiy if she knew what it was.
bile bile Examining it she replied, " 1t is an insu
reas ance policy. L see you keep your property il
l%fy n. sured."
heir But the beauty of it is, it is not my prope
per- ty, replied the General, " and yet l get Il
the benefit OF the insurance in case of fire. You
to see" he continued unfolding the policy, ''th
the fP is the property of Mr. Williams but here, W
tagy will Observe it reads loss, if any, payable
Ieni- Charles :. Stratton, as his interest may a
whGi in1i pear The fact is, [ loaned Mr.. Williar
low three thousand dollars, took a mortgage on b
house and made him insure it for my benef
msSt In this way, you perceive, get my intere
PoTa- and he has to pay the taxes"
'Rch That is very wise way, should think
erpo- remarked Lavinia.
xcan dGa That's the way | do all my business
9en . g9 piled the General, complacenty as he retul
ed 70 ed the huge insurance policy to his pock
7 sen e "You see, he continued, " never lend a
? a. case s of my money without taking bond and mo
to act gage security, then have no trouble W
g hotS S taxes my principal is secure, and receive
If the interests regularly"
L. al efn 10
Of vinia and the Generals courage began to ri
rtiaiiy Drawing his chair little nearer to hers
tSost said: -,
such {" So you are going to Europe soon2'
sxiean eyes, f" replied Lavinia, " Mr.. Barnum
fea on tends to take me over in a couple OF month
SON to to =" You will find it very pleasant" remarl
sbe E q the General, have been there twice. in
ssid3 nf%e have spent about six years abroad, and
ought the old countries very much.
PERSON. Il hope shall like the trip and expe
eeding shall" responded Lavinia, " for Mr.. Barn
e been says shall visit all the principal cities, and
Of Of b has no doubt will be invited to appear be
:. or q the Queen of England, the Emperor and /
s1ay peror of Austria and at the courts OF any
er countries which we may visit. Oh! L s
the in like that, it will be 50 new to me"
esented "Yes it will be very interesting, indeed
nfornna- ma have visited most of the crowned heads,
ye M T g1y marked the General with evident feelin
to them gelt-c0nQratuldtlOn, u
PpOI Se pep o. you will be lonesome in strange countr
ach 's1, and md asked the General.
lnee the mo, think there is no danger of that
e d9tsS Bsg friends will accompany me- the reply
z claim. Il wish / was going over, Tor kno'
s decide about the different countries, and could exl
2 O the the them all to you, remarked Tom Thumb.
eb may may That would be very nice, " said LAWN
vey. 1T Il "Do you think SOP? said the General,
s5rSn pTSsen f ing his chair still closer to Lavinias
ms 5nneesdd %asi "Of course" replied Lavinia, cOoy
he Pres L, Delhg s1i" W alI w - - ~ 90,
erey toms of the people, as Mell as 10 tuo Cou
sR01iS it would be pleasant to have some person
/ him who could answer all my foolish questions
ho0f bout any 81 should like it first rate, if Mr. Bal
tIOn Of would engage me, said the General.