The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-07-29
Tom Thumbs CourSship.


his coachman being tidily dressed, with
a broad velvet ribbon and silver buckle
upon his hat, expressly for the OCCASION
Lavinia was duly informed that this was
the Generals turn out " and, after res
ting half an hour at Lindencroft, he took
her out to ride. He stopped few moments
at his mothers house, where she saw the
apartments which his father had built ex-
pressly for him, and filled with the most
gorgeous 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 de-
pended much upon having his wealth make
some impression upon her. They return
ed, and the General stayed to lunch. I as
ked Lavinia how she liked her ride she
replied
" 1t was very pleasant, but," she added,
Z" it seems as if you and Tom Thumb own
about all Of Bridgeport"
The General took his leave and return
ed about five O'Clock to dinner, with his
mother Mrs. Stratton remained until
seven o'clock. She expressed herself
charmed with Lavinia but not sus-
picion passed her mind that little Charlie
was endeayoring to give her this accom-
Pushed young ladya as daugther-in-law.
The General had privately asked me to
invite him to stay over night, for, said he,
elf get chance intend to pop the
question before the commodore arrives"
So told his mother thought the Gene.
raj had better stop with us over night, as
the Commodore would be up in the late
train, adding that it would be more pleas
ant for the little folks to be together.
She assented, and the General was happy.
After tea Lavinia and the General sat
downto play backgammon. AS nine o'clock
approached I remarked that it was about
time to retire, but somebody would have
tosit up till nearly eleven o'clock, in order
to let IN the Commodore. The General
replied .9 'a9la Eli a.
:" will situp with plcasure-if Miss
Warren will remain Also"
Lavinia carelessly replied that she was
accustomed to late hours, and she would
wait and see the Commodore. A little
supper was placed on the table for the
Commodore, and the family retired.
Now, it happened couple of mischiev-
GUS 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 eve
ming, and in a spirit of ungcvernable cur
iosity they detirmined notwithstanding
its manifest improperly, to witness theop
Grafton, if they could possibly manage to
do SO on the sly, OF course this was in.
excusable, the more SO as so few of my
readers had they been placed under the
same temptation, would have been guilty
ofsuch an improperly Perhaps should
hesitate to use the testimony of such wit
nessess, or even to trust it. But a few
days after they told the little couple the
whole story, were forgiven, and all had a
hearty laugh over it.
1t so happened that the door of the sit
ting-room, in which the General and La
Vina,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 compile
and were within easy earshot of what was
said.
The house was STILL The General soon
acknowledged himselfvanquished at back
CANNON, and gave it up. After sitting
few minutes he evidently thought it was
best to put clincher on the financial part
OF his abilities so hedrew from his peck
ct policy of insurance, and handing it to
to Lavinia, asked her ifshe knew what it
was. 8s@s1 81 49, S-
Examining it she replied, at is ansin-
surance policy. I see you keep your prop
erty 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, un-
folding the policy, this is the property
ofMr Williams, but here, you will observe,
ir reads loss. if any. nayahle to Charles