Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-08-07

you perceive, l get my interest, and
he has 10 pay the taxes"
| "Ehat Is a very wise way, L should
think" +" remarked Lavihia.
"That is the way l do ttl my bnsi-
ness" replied the General, c0npla-
Gently, as he returned the huge IN
surance policy to his pocket. 2.You
see,o he continued, Il neyers1end
any of my money without taking
bond and mortgage security, then l
have no trouble with taxes my prin-
cipal is secure, and i receive my in-
| terests regularly"
! The explanation seemed satisfaction
Try to Lavinia, and the Generals
courage began to rise Drawing his
chair little nearer to hers, he said :
$50 you are going tn Europe soone"
| Eyes, ;" replied Lavinia, "Mr. Bar
mum intends to take me over in n
couple of months"
"Iou will find it very pleasant" !"
remarked the General, 81 have been
there twice; in fact have spent six
years abroad, and like the old rouIi-
| tries very much"
| Il hope shall like the trip, and
expect | shall" responded Lavinia,
"for Mr.. Barnum says | shall visit
all the principal cities, and he has
no doubt l will be invited to appear
before the Queen of England, the
| Emperor and Empress of France, the
| King of Prussia, the Emperor of
| Austria, and at the courts of any
other countries which we may visit.
Oh. | shall like that, it will be so
new to me-"
"Yes, it will be very interesting
indeed, / have visited most of the
crowned Ia ads" remarked the Cen
eral, with All evident feeling of self
congratulations. but are you not
afraid you will be lonesome in Il
strange country >" asked the Cen
eral.
| mo, / think there is no danger of
that, for friends will accompany me, "
was the reply.
| 81 wish Twas going over for know
all about about the different coun-
tries, and could explain them all To
yOu,n remarked Tom Thumb.
"That would be very nice" said
Lavinia.
''Do you think so - said the Gen
eral, moving his chair still closer To
| Lavinia's.
"Of course" replied Lavinia, cool
ly, 'for stranger to all the habits
ard customs of the people, as well as
to the country, it would be pleasant
could answer all my foolish ques
tons"
II shonld like it first rate, if Mr..
Barnum would engage me, SAID the
| General
81 thought you remarked the other
| day that you had money enough, and
was tired of oftraVeling, said Layinia, +,
with slightly mischievous look
from one corner of her eye.
THAT depends upon my company
while travelling" replied the GEN
| eral.
You might not find my company
very agreeable
n would he : lad to risk it,"
"Well perhaps Mr.. Barnum would
engage you If you asked him." said
| Laviuia-
| "Would you retiig like to have
me go?n ask eel the General, quietly
iusinuating iiS arm around her
waist, but hardly close enough to
touch her.
"Of course ] would" WAS the re
ply.
| The little Generals arm ciasped
| the waist closer a. he turned his face,
nearer Ia hers, and said:
| "Don't you think il would be plea
| santer If we went as man ami wife ?''
| The little fairy quickly disengaged
his arm, and remark ed that the Gen
eral WAS a funny fellow To joke III
| that way
| IL ann not Joking at all" said the
General, earnestly, cit Is quite too
serious "A matter for that"
~ wonder why the Commodore
don't come" ;" said Lavinia.
II hope you are not optCf0uS for
his arrival, for am sure lam not, q"
| responded the General, "and what IL
more. do hope you will say yes,
| before he comes at all 80
Really" Mr.. Stratton, said La
| vinia, with dignity, "it you arc in
earnest in your strange proposal, |
must SAY ann surprised" "
well, | hope YOU are not OGeftd-
al. replied tile General, "for was
never more ia earnest in my life, and
hope YOU will consent. The first
uI"nnrut | SAW you | felt that you
| were created to be my Wife
But this H. 50 sudden"
Not 81 ec,g sudden al IL sevs raj
months since We first met, and you
know all about Inc and my family,
ami hope ynu find nothing To OBJ
| ject to iH me-"
| Not At all on the contrary have
/ found you very agreeable III fact
like you very much aa 4 friend, but
| have nnt thought of marrying,
| and
".Aud .ahut my dear said the
General, giving her a kiss. Nov l
beg of you, don't have amy 'huts'
or ':tnd>' about il. You say You
like me a. :, friend, why viii YOU not
Ike me a. a husband You ought
to yet married | love you dearly,
Hnd | want you Tor wife. Now,
dcary, the Commodore will be here
IN a few minutes l may not have ii
| chance To see you again alone-do
say that We will be married, and
Will get Mr.. Barnum fo give up
your engagement. y
LAWNS, hesitated, and tiaaliy
said:
Il think love you we'll enough
| Ia consent, but | have always said
| would never marry without my
mothers CONSENT
| "oh I'll ask your mother. May
| ask your mother Come, say yes
| 10 that, and / will go and see her
next week. May | do that, PETE"
! Then thereWas sound ofsOmetning
very much like the popping ofsever-
al corhs from Is DIany beer bottles.
The young eaves-droppers had no
doubt a. To the character OF these re-
ports, nor did they doubt that they
scaled the betrothal, for Immediate
| II after they heard Lavinia say:
Yes, Charles, you may ask my
mother Another volley of reports