The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-07-13
BIDDEFORD, MAIN E

granddaughter, and the iourth VI 'n' '"'
who had, in turn, been fortunate enough 70
nc, rs miniature valet to Mr.. Launceio''
Braham, until he outgrew that gentleman'a'
particular standard /; who being remarkably
proud of his own height, Of which, owing
to his scrupulously erect carriage, even time
had failed to deprive him Of an inch' never
kept about his person any male domesa, !,
who reached above his own shoulder; ano
thus, as boys will grow in spite OF oil tne
PRAYERS Of their prudent relatives, s,who wou.a
rather SEQ them dwarfcd in stature than 10
circumstances, SO three Of the Master
spapps had successfully lost their place BY
increasing their inches, Bobby Snagss' the
last of the family, little stunted lad VINO
badc fair to keep all his life within the pro-
scribed bounds, had in his turn succeeded 70
the clothesbrushes, at the evcntful epoch oi
Mr.. Launcelot Braham's secession from the
anxielies and hustle Of his profession.
His residence ho had obtained through the
medium of public journal, wherein IN 40,
vertisement set forth that, 10 gentleman Of
respectability could be acc .mmodatea Win
convenient and airy apartments in apleasan.
si,ua ton within about five minutes walk Of
the Bank He was OF the time located as
Hampstead but as he suffered great annoy
apce from the dust OF the road on his daily
procress into town, he evidently determined
to reside absolutely in London, where he
could reach the Exchange without being un-
der the necessity, on his arrival, OF dustins
his cravat and CATERS, and then putting the
sulled handkerchief into his coat pocket
The convenient and airy apartments
consisted of first floor over the shop oi a
portly widow, who kept haberdasher's
store in Cheapside; and who gradually
growing old with her lodscr, had been Tor SO
MANY wears accustomed to take tea with
Mrs. snaggs, and 10 supply her master with
white neck-cloths and docskin gloves that
she was almos, as much surprised, when tho
announcement Of his quitting the Stock Ex-
change and her apartments was made 10 her,
as though the Monument had walked up to
her counter and asked for six yards OF black
galloon to rctie the pigtail Of the mounted
monarch at the Charing Cross.
The fla, had gono forth, however; and
without more delay Mr.. Launcelot Braham
proceeded 10 search for fitting place Of
abode. Tic animation and companionship
of the sounds and sights Of Cheapsidc had
lost their attractions and as ho wons no
longer be compelled to encounter either aus
or mud whom he should see it fitting to re.
main under his own roof, he determined
finally to settle himself in some qsiet spot
where he might see leaves and flowers, and
be enabled to "babble o. green fields" with
precision and propricty, like one who under
stood his subject. Mrs. Snaggs, when con-
suited on the matter, had given 1t as her de-
cided and deliberate opinion that the ar'
rangement was most judicious e,-and
the rest, Of course was easy.
Then commenced excursions in every di-
rc.tion around the metropolis, wherever
public notice or private informotion led the
stately old bachelor to believe for the mo-
ment that he had met with the very thing
tha, would suit him and every "snug box"
on sale at Hampstead, Hishgate, Noting
Hill, Brixton, Streatham, and other suburb
an villages, was visited and inspected, in
which retired citizen may take his wine at
an open window overlooking his own China
astcrs and holly.hocks, his own brass.plated
gate and green paling, without losing alto
gether an occasional sniff Of the peculiar al
mosphcre 10 which he has been for 30 many
years accustomed.
All was in vain, however-so where he
might, see what he would there was always
q drawback, either to the house itself, or to
its situation.
The water was bad, or the roofs were low,
or the soil was damp, or the stairs were
steep, or the kitchen was dark-or In short,
il had some defect Of some description: and
consequently, as the purchase Of Mr.. Laun.
celot Braham was to be perfection, they
were oil equally out Of the question.
Months wore on-mon,hs Of perpetual
worry and exertion-and still the ex-stock-
broker, his housekeeper, and his boy, Bobby,
were domiciliatod on tho FIRST floor Of No.
Cheapside, simply and solely because Mr..
Launcelot Braham had failed to meet with
an eligible purchase when, on one occa-
sion during saunter through the streets,
he was over,aken by sharp summers how.
or, which in two minutes made the pave
mens look like succession of dingy mirrors,
and drove every one under shelter who was
80 fortunate as to be able 10 secure It.
It's bad enough for lawyers clerks, lin.
endrapcrs' apprentices, ginger.beer vcnders,
Grant milliners, printers, and maids Of all
work to be drenched by one Of these sudden
dowu-pourings Of On angry yapor-but for
Mr.. Launcelot Braham, in cooked hat and
white cravat and drab-colorod CATERS, to be
ovcr,aken during an airing Of pure pleasure,
totally unconnected with business Of any
description, was catastrophe almost too
mighty for human endurance. He looked
righ, and leit for some spot of refuge, and
ere long found it, as II by singularly hap.
py chance, in tho Auction Mart where q
sale was at that moment going forward Of
houses and estates in and about the me-
tropOlis.
For time, Mr.. LauncelOt Braham re.
mained perfectly unintercsted by the pro.
cosJ;ocs of the nuctioneer. who disposed nj