Struggles and Triumphs by P.T. Barnum — Read

Miss Lavinia Warren -- A Charming Little Lady -- Supposed to Be the $30,000 Nutt in Disguise -- Her Wardrobe and Presents -- Story of a Ring -- The Little Commodore in Love -- Tom Thumb Smitten -- Rivalry of the Dwarfs -- Jealousy of the General -- Visit at Bridgeport -- The General's Stylish Turnout -- Miss Warren Impressed -- Call of the General -- A Lilliputian Love Scene -- Tom Thumb's Inventory of His Property -- He Proposes and Is Accepted -- Arrival of the Commodore -- His Grief -- Excitement Over the Engagement -- The Wedding in Grace Church -- Reverend Junius Willey -- A Spicy Letter by Doctor Taylor -- Grand Reception of Mr. and Mrs. Stratton -- The Commodore in Search of a Green Country Girl.

In 1862 I heard of an extraordinary dwarf girl, named Lavinia Warren, who was residing with her parents at Middleboro', Massachusetts, and I sent an invitation to her and her parents to come and visit me at Bridgeport. They came, and I found her to be a most intelligent and refined young lady, well educated, and an accomplished, beautiful and perfectly-developed woman in miniature. I succeeded in making an engagement with her for several years, during which she contracted -- as dwarfs are said to have the power to do -- to visit Great Britain, France, and other foreign lands.