The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1869-07-02
A Small Story About Small
Affairs.
TOM THUMBS COURTSHIP.

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 ribbon
ana silver buckle placed upon his hat,
expressly for the occasion. Lavina
was duly informed that this was the
Generals "turn out" and, after rest
ing half an hour at Lindencroft, he
took her out to ride. He stopped Il
few moments at his mothers house,
where he saw the apartments which
his father had built expressly for
him, and filled with the most gOr-
geous furniture-all corresponding g
to his own diminutive size. Then he
took her to East Bridgeport, and un-
doubtedly took occasion to point out
in great detail all the houses which
he owned, for he depended much up
on having his wealth make some i'm
preston upon her. They returned:
and the General stayed to lunch. l
asked Lavinia how she liked her
ride; she replied
at 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 re-
turned at FIVE O'Clock to dinner, with
his mother. Mrs. Stratton remained
until seven o'clock. She expressed
herself charmed with Lavinia War
ren; but not a suspicion passed her
mind that little Charlie was endeav-
oring to give her this accomplished
young lady as daughter-in>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 Com
modore arrives" So l told his moth-
er 1 thought the General had better
stay with US over night, asthe Com
modore would be up in the late train,
adding that 1T 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 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
~ +be Commodore The General re
Piled:
az will sit up with pleasure
Miss Warren will remain also"
Lavinia carelessly replied that she
was accustomed to late hours, and
she would wait and see the Commo.
dore. 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 tc
propose to Lavinia that evening, and
in spirit of ungovcrnable curiosity
they determined, notwithstanding its
manifest impropriety, to witness the
operation, if they could possibly man
age to do so on the sly. Of course
this was inexcusable, the more so as sc
few Of my readers, had they beer
placed under the same temptation
would have been guilty of such an
impropriety Perhaps l should hes
itate to use the testimony of such
witnesses, or even to trust it But
few weeks after they told the coup
pie the whole story, were forgiven,
and all had a hearty laugh over it.
1t so happened that the door Of
the sitting-room, in which the Gen
eral and Lavinia were left at the
backgammon board, opened into the
hall Just at the side of the stairs, ant
these young misses, turning 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 wus still. The Genera
soon acknowledged himself vanquish
ed at backgammon, and gave it up
After sitting a few moments he Gvi-
IDENTIFY thought it was best to put
clincher on the financial part of hi!
abilities; so he drew from his poke
a policy of insurance, and handing i
to Lavinia, he asked her if she knew
what it was.
Examining it she replied, at is al
insurance policy. l see you keeI
your property insured"
But the beauty of it is, it is no
my property" replied the General
"and yet 1 get the benefit of the in
sursnce- in case of fire. You will see
he continued, unfolding the policy
"this is the property of Mr.. Williams
but here, you will observe, it read
loss, if any, payable to Charles S
Stratton, as his interest many ap
pear The fact is, / loaned Mr.. vii
liams three thousand dollars, took
mortgage on his house and made hin
insure it for my benefit. In thi
way, you perceive, get my interest
and he has to pay the taxes"
"That is very wise way, | shoul'
think" remarked Lavinia.
HThat is the way l do all my busi
ness" replied the General, compla
Gently, as he returned the huge in
surance policy to his pocket. "YO
sec" he continued, 81 never lend an
I of my money without taking bon
mortgage security, then l have n
trouble with taxes, my principal
secure, and I receive my interest rec
ularly"
The explanation seemed satisfaC
: tory to Lavinia. and the General
: courage began to raise. Drawing hi
chair little nearer to hers, he salt
, $50 you are going to Europe soon!
; eyes, replied Lavinia, "Mr. Bal
| mum intends to take me over in
couple of months
"You will find it very pleasant
remarked the General, 81 have bee