The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-07-02
OAThY JOURNAL
rom Thnmb,s Courtshlp.

e., with a broad velvet ribbon and
silver buckle placed upon his hat, ex-
pressly for this occasion. Lavinia was
duly informed that this was the Gen.
erals " turn out;" and, after resting
half an hour at Lindencroft, he took
her out to ride. He stopped a few
moments at his mothers house,
where she saw the apartments which
his father had built expressly for him,
and filled with the most gorgeous fur
nitHre-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 be owned,
for he depended much upon having
his wealth make some impression
upon her. they returned, and the
General stayed to lunch. l asked
Laxinia how she liked her ride; she
replied:
1T was very pleasant, but, !" she
added. " it 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 re-
manned until seven O'Clock. She ex-
pressed herself charmed with Lavlnla
w dETEu Uub HUI y Nuop lOtoA pA9oNN
her mind that little Charlie was en-
deaForing- to give her this accomplish
ed Young lady as a daughter IN law.
The General had privately asked me
to invite him to stay over night, for,
said he, IF l. get chance, l intend
to pop the question before the Com
mOdore arrives" So | told his mother
/ thought the General had better stop
with Us over night, as the Commodore
would be up in the late train, adding
thai itMould-be more pleasant for the
little folks to be together. She as
scented, and the General was happy.
After tea Lavinia and the General
Shutdown to play backgammon. As
nide o'clock approached l remarked
thai it was about time to retire, but
soAebody would have to sit up until
nearly eleven o'clock, In order to let
in the Commodore. The General
replied:
: will sit up with pleasure-if
Miss Warren will remain also.
Lavinia carclessly 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 visit
ing at my house, one of whom was to
sleep with Lavinia. They were sus-
piciOus that the General was going to
propose to Lavinia that evening, and
in a spirit of ungOvernable curiosity
they determined, Notwithstanding its
manifest impropriety, 10 witness the
operation, if they could possibly man
age to do so on the sly. OF course
this was lnexcusable, the more so as
so few of my readers, had they been
placed under the same temptation,
weuld have been guilty of such an
IMPROPERLY Perhaps l should hest
tate to use the testimony of such wit
nesses, or even to trust 1t. But few
weeks after they told the little couple
the whole story, were forgiven, aud
all had hearty laugh over It.
Lit so happened that the door of the
sitting-room, in which the General
and Lavinia were left at the backgam-
mon board, opened into the hall just
at the side of the stairs, and these
young misses, turned out the lights in
the hall, seated themselves upon the
stairs in the dark, where they had a
full view of the cosy little couple, and
were within easy ear-shot of all that
was said.
The house was still. The General
soon acknowledged himself vanquish-
ed at backgammon, and gave 1T up
After sitting few moments he EVIL
IDENTIFY thought it was best to put a
clincher on the financial part of his
abilities; so he drew from his pocket
a policy of insurance, aud handing II
to Lavinia, he asked her if she knew
what it was.
Examining it she replied, 1T is an
insurance policy. | see you keeI
your property insured" But the
beauty Of it Is, tits not my property,
replied the General, "and yet | sc
the benefit of the insurance In case O
fire. You will see, he continued
unfolding the policy, "this is the pro
perty of Mr.. Williams, but here, yOI
will observe, it reads loss, if any
payable to Charles S. Stratton, as hi
interest may appear The fact is,
loaned Mr.. Williams three thOusanC
dollars, took a mortgage on his hOus
and made him insure it for my bene
fit. La this way, you perceive, [ ge
my interest, and he has to pay tn
taxes"
That is a very wise way, l SHOULD
think, remarked Lavinia.
:. That Is the way | do all my bust
ness, replied the General, cOmplaeen
thy, as he returned the huge insurance
policy to his pocket, GU see, h
continued, L never lend any OF m
money without taking bond and mort
gage security, then L have no troubl
with taxes; my principal IS secure
and receive my interests regularly.
The explanation seemed satisfactOr
to LavInia, and the Generals eOurag,
began to rise Drawing his chair
little nearertO. hers, he said:
80 you are going to Europe soonP
Yes, replied LaYiGia, Mr.. Bar
mum intends to take me over in
couple Of months"
You will find it very pleasant,
remarked the General, Il have beer
there twice; In fact [ have spent siy
years abroad, and like the old coun
tries very much"
Il hope | shall like the trip, and
expect | shall" responded Lavinia
. for Mr.. Barnum says l shall visi
all the principal cities, and he has o.
Doubt will be invited to appear be
fore the Queen of England, the Em
perOr and Empress of France, th
King of Prussia, the Emperor of Aus
tria, aud at the courts of any othe
countries which we may visit. OH
shall ike that. it Will be so new to me.
" Yes, it will be very interesting
indeed. | have visited most of til
crowned heads, remarked the Genel
al with an evident feeling of self. cor
graduation. But are you not afrai
you will be lonesome in a strang
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