Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-27
MISCELLANEOUS.
TOM. THUMBS COURTSHIP.

The General met us at the depot in Bridge
port on Saturday morning, and drove US to
my own house in his own carrage-his coach
man being tidily dressed with broad velvet
ribbon and silver buckle placed upon his hat,
expressly for the OCCASION Lavina was duly
Informed that this was the Generals turn
out )" and, after resting half an hour ut Lin
dencroft. he took her out to ride He stop>
ped a fe% moments at his mothers house,
where she saw the apartments which his
father had built expressly for him, and filled
with the most gorgeous furniture, all CORES
bonding to his own diminutve size. Then
he took her to East Bridgeport, and undoubt
edy took occasion to point out il "reat detail
all the houses which he owned, for he de
pended much upon having his wealth make
some impression upon her. They returned
and the General stayed to lunch. l asked
Laviania how she liked her ride she replied:
1T was very pleasant but" she added, lit
seems as if YOU and Tom Thumb owned about
all Bridgeport! ~
The General took his leave and returned
at FIVE o'clock to supper, 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 endeavOrinT. to give
her this accomplished young lady for dauGh-
ter-in~law. The General had privately asked
me to invite him to stay over night. IF |
get chance. | mean to pop the question:
before the Commodore arrives" So | told
his mother that [ thought the General had
better stop with US over night, as the COmmo-
dorc would be up in the late train. adding
that it would be more pleasant for the little
folks to be together. She assentcd and the
General was happy
After tea Lavina and the General sat down
to play backgammon. As nine o'clock APP
rroached | remarked that it was about time
to retire, but somebody would have to sit up
until nearly eleven O'Clock, in order to let in
the Commodore. The General replied
II will sit up with pleasure-if Miss War
rem will remain also"
Lavinia careIessly replied that she was ac-
customed to late hours, and she would wait
and see the Commodore. y little supper was
placed upon the table for the Commodore,
and the family retired.
Now, it happened that I. couple of mis-
chievous ladies were visiting at my house. one
Of whom was to sleep with Lavinia. They
we're suspicious that the General was going to
propose to LnviTai that evening, and in fit
of uugnvernable curiosity they determined,
Notwithstanding its manifest improperly to
witness the operation, if they could possibly
do so on the sly. OF course it was inezcus
able, the more so rs 50 few of our readers,
had they been placed under the same temp
tation, would have been guilty of such i'm
proprety Perhaps should hesitate to use
testimony of such witnesses or even trust to
it, But few weeks after they told the little
couple the whole story. were forgiven and all
had hear laugh over it.
l., a th,, h.. = &C h.,
room. in which the General and Lavnia were
left at the back kgammon board opened into
the hail just at the side of the stairs. and
these young misses turning out the lights in
the hall. sen'ed themselves upon the stairs in
the dark. where they had fall view of the
cozy little couple, and was in easy eaC-shOt of
all that was said
The house was still. The General soon
acknowledged himself vanquished at back
CANNON. and gave it up. After sitting few
moments he evidently thought it best to put
a cincher the financial part Of his abilities;
for he drew from his pocket policy OF in
surancc. and handing it to Lavinia, be asked
her it she knew what it was
Examining it she replied it i an insurance
policy. IL see you keep your property in
sured" But the beauty of it ia. it is not
my property" replied the General. and yet
get the benefit of il in case Of FIRE. You
will see" lie continued, unfolding the policy,
"ths is the property 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, loaned Mr.. Will
liams three thousand dollars, took mortgage
on his house and made him insure it for my
benefit In this way, you perceive, get my
interest and he has to pay the taxes.
That is a very wise way, should think"
Remarked Lavinia.
This is the way I do all my business"
replied the General. complacently, as he re-
turned the huge in .urance policy into his
pocket You see;" be continued II never
lend any of my money without taking bond
and mortgage .ecurity. then I have no trouble
with taxes; my principal is secure, and
receive my interest regularly
The explanation seemed satisfactory to La
viuia. and the Generals courage began to rise
Drawing his chair little nearer to hers. he
said
SO you are going to Europe soon ~
Yes" replied Lavinia, 'sMr Rarnum in
tends to take me over in a couple of months"
You will find it very pleasant" remarked
the General, II have been there twice in
fact have spent six years abroad, and like
the old countries very much"
Il hope l shall like the trip. and I expect
l shall. for Mr. Barnuu says shall visit all
the principal cities, and he has no doubt will
be invited to appear before the Queen of Eng
land, The Emperor and Empress of France,