The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-07-01
''You might not find my company very

"You might not find my company very
agreeable. y
81 would be glad to risk it."
"Well, perhaps Mr. Barnum would en-
gage 70 if you asked him." said Lavinia.
Would you really like to have me go?'
asked the General, quietly insinuating
his arm around her waist, but hardely
close enough to touch her.
"Of course [ would" was the reply.
The little Generals arm clasped the
waist closer as he turned his face nearer
to hers, and said:
Doh you think it would be pleasant
er if we went as man and wife p
The little fairy quickly disengaged his
arm, and remarked that the General was
a funny fellow to joke in that way.
Il am not joking at all. said the Cen
eral, earnestly, lit is quite too serious a
matter for that
II wonder why the Commodore don't
come ?' said Lavinia.
Il hope you are not anxious for his ar
rival, for am sure am not, respond
ed the General, land what is more, | do
hope you will say yes; before he comes
at all p
Really, Mr. Stratton," said Lavinia.
wit dignity, IF yon are in earnest in
your strange proposal. must say l am
surprised. "
well, hope you are not offended"
replied the General. 'for | was never
more in earnest in my life, and [ hope
you will consent. The first moment [ saw
you, | felt that you were created to be my
wife
But this is so sudden"
ttN or ca o.o,.,, -, oo-oro1
months since we first met, and you know
all about me and my family, and [ hope
YOU find nothing to object to in me. %
mot at all on the contrary [ have
found you very agreeable, in fact / like
you very much as friend, but l have
not thought of marrying, and
And aohat ? my DEAR said the Gen
eTal, giving her kiss. "Now | beg of
you. don't have any butts or ands' about
it, You say you like me as friend,
why will you not like me as a husband :?
You ought to get married /; [ love you
dearly, and [ want you for wife. Now,
deary, the Commodore will be here in a
few minutes-I may not have chance
to see you again alone-do say that we
will be married. and l will get Mr.. Bar
mum to give up your engagement.
Iavinia hesitated, and finally said:
Il think love you well enough to
consent, but have always said [ would
never marry without my mothers con-
sent.
ooh! I'll ask your mother. May I
ask your mother? Come, say yes to that,
and | will go and see her next week.
May do that, pet ?''
Then there was sound of something
very much like the popping of several
corks from as many beer bottles. The
young eaves-droppers had no doubt as to
the character of these reports, nor did
they doubt that they sealed the betrothal,
for Immediately after they heard Lavinia
say:
Eyes, Charles, you may ask my moth
err" Another volley of reports followed,
and then Lavinia said, ''Now, Charles,
don't whisper this to living soul; let
US keep our own secret for the present. F"
"All right said the General, Il will
say nothing; but next Tuesday [ shall
start to see your mother. -
Perhaps you may find it difficult to
obtain her CONSENT said Lavinia.
AT that moment carriage drove up to
the door, and Immediately the bell was
rung, and the little Commodore entered.
p. T. BARNUM, IN Packards Monihly,
for Julg.