Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1869-07-09

bond and mortgage security, then
have no trouble with taxes; my
principal Is secure, aud receive my
interests regularly
The explanation seemed satisfacto-
ry to Lavinia, and the Generals
courage began to rise. Drawing his
chair little nearer TO hers, he said ::
80 you are going to Europe soon?"
Eyes" replied Lavinia, "Mr. Bar
mum intends to take me over In a
couple of months"
"You will find it very pleasant"
remarked the General. al have been
there twice; In fact l have spent six
years abroad, and like the old coun-
try very much"
"I hope shall like the trip, and /
expect SHALL" responded Lavinia,
"for Mr.. Barnum says shall visit all
the principal cities, and lie has no
doubt | will be invited to appear be-
fore the Queen of England, the EN-
peror and Empress of France, the
King Of Prussia, the Emperor of
Austria, and the courts of any other
countries which we may visit. Oh 1!
l shall like that, it will be so new to
me-"
eyes, 1t will be very interesting,
indeed. l have visited most of the
crowned heads" remarked the Gen.
eral, with an evident feeling of self
congratulation. "But are you not
afraid you will be lonesome In
strange oountry?" asked the Gene
raj.
mo, think there is no danger of
that, for my friends will accompany
me-" was the reply.
II wish Twas going over, for
know all about the different ooun-
tries and could explain them to vou.nI
remarked rom Thumb.
''Thst would be very NICE" said
Lavinia.
"Do you think SOP" said the Gen
eral. moving his chair still closer to
Lavinia's.
"Of course" replied Lavinia, cool
ly. "for I, being q stranger to oil the
habits and customs of the people, rs
well as to the country, it would be
pleasant to have some person along
who could answer all my foolish
questions"
II should like it first rate, If Mr..
Barnum would engage me-" said the
General.
az thought you remarked tho oth>
er day that you had money enough,
and was tired of travelling" said La
vinia, with n slightly mischievous
twinkle from one corner of her eye.
THAT depends upon my company
while travelling" replied the Gener-
al.
"You might not find my company
very agreeable"
"I would be glad TO risk it."
"Well, perhaps Mr.. Barnum would
engage you if you asked him." said
Lavinia,
"Would you really like to have me
go ?" asked the General, quietly in
sinuating his arm around her waist.
but hardly close enough to touch her.
"Of course | would" was the re-
ply.
1.-THE little Generals arm clasled
the waste closer as he turned his face
nearer to hers, and said:
Don't you think 1t would be
pleasanter if we went as man and
wife ?"
The little fairy quickly disengaged
his arm, and remarked that the Cen
eral was a funny fellow to joke in
that way.
~ am not joking at ALL" said the
General, earnestly" "it Is quite too
serious matter for that"
"I wonder why the Commodore
don't Gomez" said Lavinia.
~ hope you are not anxious for
his arrival, for am sure / am not"
responded the General, "and what is
more, / hope you will say yes be-
fore he comes at ALL" ...-
"Really, Mr.. Stratton," said La
vinia with dignity, "if you are In
earnest in your strange proposal, /
must say am surprised" ..
"Well, hope you are not Offend
ed, replied the General, "for 1 was
never more in earnest in my life, and
/ hope you will consent. The first
moment I saw you 1 felt that you
were created to be my wife,"
"But this is SO sudden"
"Not very sudden; 1t IL several
months since we first met, and you
know all about me and my family,
and l hope you find nothing to OBJ
ject to in me-"
"Not at all; on the ontrary have
found you very agreeable; ia fact
like you very much as friend, but
l have not thought of marrying,
and
"And WhatSn my dear" said the
General, giving her kiss. "Now, /
beg of you, don't have any butts or
'ands' about IL. You say you like noe
as friend, why will you not like
me as husband? You ought to get
married; L love You dearly, and /
want you for wife. Now, deary,
the Commodore will be here I'm "A few
minutes-I may not have q chance
| to see you again alone-do say that
we will be married, and / will get
Mr.. Barnum to give up the engage
ment."
Lavinia hesitated, and finally said :
II think | love you well enough to
consent, but have always said ]
would never marry without my
mothers consent"
"Oh! I'll ask your mother. MdJ
/ ask your mother? Come, say yes
to that, and i will go and see hei
next week. May | do that. pet?p
Then there was the sound of some
thing very much like the popping o.
several corks from as many beer bot
ties. 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;
"Yes, Charles, you may ask my
mother" Another volley of reports
followed, and then Lavinia said
Now. Charles. don't whisper this u
a living soul; lot us keep our OWL
secret for the present.
!, "All right" said the General, 81
will say nothing; but next Tuesda,
| shall start to see your mother"
perhaps you may find 10 diificul
to obtain her CONSENT said Lavinia
At that moment carriage drov