The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-07-01
TOM THUMBS CoURrsHIP.

The General met US at the depot in
bridgeport on Saturday morning, and
drove US to my house in his own carriage
his coachman being tidily dressed. with
broad velvet ribon and silver buckle up
On his hat, expressly for the OCCASION
1avinia was duly informed that this was
the Generals ssturn GU" and, after
resting half an hour at Lindenoroft, he
took her out te ride. He stopped few
moments at his mothers house, where
she saw the apartments which his father
had built expressly for him, and filled
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 Gen
eral stayed to lunch [ asked Layinia
how she liked her ride; she replied:
1T was very pleasant, but" she adj
ded, 1T seems as if you and Tom Thumb
own about all of Bridgeport !''
The General took his leave and returned
ct i've clock to dinner, with his mother.
Mrs. Stratton remained until seven
o clock. She expressed herself charmed
with Lavlnla Warren but not suspi-
clon passed her mind that little Charlie
was endeavoring to give her this accom-
gllshed young lady as a daughter law.
The General had privately asked me to
invite HIM to stay over night, for, said
he, IF | get chance intend to pop
the question before the Commodore ar
rIves. SO | told his mother I thought
the General had better stop with us over
night, as the Commodore would be up in
the late train, adding that it would be
more pleasant for the little folks to be
together. She assented, and the Gen
eral was happy.
After tea Lavinia 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 in the Commodore.
The General replied:
II will sit up with pleasure-if Miss
Warren will remain also
Lavinia careiessly replied that she was
accustomed to late hours, and she would
wait and see the Commodore. A little
supper was placed upon the table for the
Commodore, and the family retired
Now, it happened that couple of
mischievous young ladies were visiting at
my house, lone of whom was to sleep with
Lavlnla. They were suspicious that the
General was going to propose to Lavinia
that evening, and in spirit Of ungov-
ernable curiosity they determined, not
withstanding its manifest improperly,
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 temptation, would
have have been guilty of such an impro-
prlety Perhaps | should hesitate to use
to trust it. But few days after they told
thelittle couple the whole story, we're for
given, and all had hearty laug h over it.
1t so happened that the door of the
sitting room, in which the General and
Lavinia were left at the backgammon
board. opened 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 cosy
little couple, and were within easy ear
shot of what was said.
The house was still. The General
soon acknowledged himself vanquished
at backgammon, and gave it up. After
sitting a few moments he evidently
thought it was best to put a clincher on
the financial part of his abilities so he
drew from his pocket a policy of insur
ance, and handing 1t to Lavinia, he asked
her if she knew what it was.
Examining it she replied, ''It is an in
surance policy. | see you keep your
property insured. -
but the beauty of it is, it is not my
property, replied the General. land yet
l get the benefit of the insurance in case
of fire. You will see," he continued,
unfolding 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, I loaned Mr..
Williams three thousand dollars, took a
mortgage on his house and made him in
sure it for my benefit. In this way, you
perceive. / get my interest, and he has
to pay the taxes. :"
THAT is very wise way, I should
think" remarked Lavinia.
'Thatis the way do all my business, :"
remarked the General, complacently, as
he returned the huge insurance policy to
his pocket You see," he continued,
l never lend any of my money without
taking bond and mortgage security, then
have no trouble with taxes ; my prin-
cipal is secure. and l receive my interest
regularly
The explanation seemed satisfactory to
Lavinia, and the Generals courage be-
gan to rise. Drawing his chair little
nearer to hers, he said :
$50 you are going to Europe soon ?"
eyes, replied Lavinia, ''Mr. Barnum
intends to take me over in couple of
months"
"You will find it very pleasant, re-
piled the General, Il have been there
twice; in fact | have spent six years
abroad, and 1 like the old countries very
much.
81 hope shall like the trip. and ex-
pect 1 SHALL" responed Lavinia, for
Mr.. Barnum says that shall visit all the
principal cities, and he has no doubt
will be invited toappear before the Queen
of England, the Emperor and Empress
of France. the King of Prussia, the En-
peror 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-"
eyes, it will be very interesting, indeed.
I have visited most of the crowned heads,
remarked the General. with an evident
feeling of self-congratula ton. ''But are
you not afraid you will be lonesome In a
strange country?' asked the General.
mo, think there is no danger :
that, for friends will accompany me, y
was the reply.
II wish was going over, for I know
all about the different countries, and could
explain them all to you, remarked Tom
Thumb.
''That would be very NICE" said La
vinia