The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1869-07-02

iperor and Empress of France, the
King Of Prussia, the Emperor of Aus.
tria, 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,
Indeed. | have visited most of the
crowned heads remarked the Gen.
eral, with an evident feeling of self
congratulation. "But are you not
afraid you will be lonesome in a
strange cOuntry?' asked the Gener-
al.
"No, think there is no danger of
that, for friends will accompany me, y
was the reply.
81 wish [ was going over, for [
know all about the different countries.
and could explain them all to you,
remarked Tom Thumb.
"That would be very nice, said
Lavinia.
"Do you think SOP said the Gen.
eral, moving his chair still closer to
Lavinia's
"Of course" replied Lavinia, cool
ly, "for l, 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 ques
tions."
81 should ike it first rate, if Mr..
Barnum would engage me, said the
General.
81 thought you remarked the 9TH
er day that you had money enough,
and was tired of travelling said La
vinia, with a slightly mischievous
look from one corner Of her eye.
"That depends upon my company
while travelling" replied the Gener-
al.
"You might not find my company
very agreeable"
Il would be glad to risk it.
"Well, perhaps Mr.. Barnum would
engage you if you asked him." said
Lavinia.
"Would you really like to have me
go?" asked the General, quietly in
sinuating his arm around her waist,
but hardly close enough to touch
her.
"Of course 1 would" was the re-
ply.
The little Generals arm claspod
the waist closer as he turned his face
nearer to hers, and said:
"Don't you think it would be
pleasanter if we went as man and
wife?"
The little fairy quickly disengaged
his arm, and remarked that the Gen
eral was funny fellow tojoke in that
way.
II am not joking at all" said the
General, earnestly, sit is quite too
serious a matter for that"
81 wonder why the Commodore
don't Gomez" said Lavinia
hope ynn-are not anxious for
his arrival, for | am sure l am not,
responded the General, "and what is
more, 1 do hope you will say yes,
before he CUmgs at alli'
"Really, Mr.. Stratton," said Lavi,
MIA, with dignity, "if you are in earn
est in your strange proposal, 1 must
say am surprised"
"Well, hope you are not offend
! ed" replied the General, "for | was
never more in earnest iu my life, and
hope you will consent. The first
moment l saw you 1 felt that you
were created to be my wife"
"But this is so sudden"
-''Not so very sudden; it is several
months since we first met, and you
know all about me and my family,
and 1 hope you find nothing to OBJ
ject to in Inc" ;"
"Not at all; on the contrary have
not thought of marrying, and"
"And what? my DEAR" said the
General, giving her kiss. "Now l
beg of you, don't have any 'buts' OF
lands about it. You say you like
me as a friend, why will you not like
me as husband? You ought to get
married; l love you dearly, and 1 want
you for a wife. Now, dearY the Com
modore will be here in few min
utes-I may not have a chance to
see you again alone-do say that we
will be married, and I will get Mr..
Barnum TO give up your engagement.
Lavinia hesitated, and nnally said
81 think l love you well en0ugh to
consent, but have always said l would
never marry without mothers con,
sent.p
"Oh I'll ask your mother. May
l ask your mother? Come, say yes to
that, and will go and see her next
week. May I do that pet?'
Then there was a sound of some.
thing very much like the popping Of
several corks from as many beer bot
ties. The young eaves-droppers had
no doubt as to the character of these
reports, nor did they doubt that they
sealed the betrothal, for Immediately
after they heard Lavinia say;
"Yes, Charles, you may ask my
mother" Another volley of reports
followed, and hen Lavinia said
"Now, Charles, don't whisper this tc
a living soul; let us keep our own Sc
cret for the present"
"All right" said the General, 81
will say nothing; but next Tuesday
shall start to see your mother"
"Perhaps you may find it dificul
to obtain her consent" said Lavi-
MIA.
At the moment a carriage drOv,
up to the door. and Immediately th'
bell was rung, and the little Commo-
dore entercd.-P. T. Barnum, a
Packard's Monthly, for July.
SELLING CRACKERs--While il
West Plattsburg We were told cir
cumstance which occurred soEewheru