The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-07-13
VOLUME X.-NUMBER as.

II
my good iriend, % said Mr.. Hotham. "Did
I understand you to say that you were going
of to look a the place' Do you mean me
to understand that you have purchased Q,
place without knowing what Il isi" =
Certainly not" said Barham. "I have
been telling you for the last hour what Il
is--an elegant and substantially built"
Eyes, yes" interrupted the lawyer; "I
have heard oil that; buthavc you seen II !"
"Seen it!" exclaimed Barham. "Of
course not-how could II I only bought Il
couple Of hours ago, and just heard Of Il
quito by chance"
Mr.. Henry Hotham looked up with On
expression Of countenance that was anything
but encouraging; but be only uttered the
question, "Ana may ask rhoe you heard
1T" -.
"At the Auction MART" said Barhem.-
81 went in accidentally for shelter during
q shower, and this estate was put up. Moth.
ing could bo moro lucky-tho very thing !
wanted"
"Suppose you were to order chaise, and
that we were to run down and look at the
property" said tho lawyer dryly.
"Tho very thing I should like" replied
Barham and we can take chop at Staines
after we have walked over tho place. BY
tho by, wo may as we'll make an evening Of
il; SO just bring along your fishing rod with
you"
'"Not today" responded Mr.. Henry
Ho,ham; my tackle is out Of order. and It
would detain US too long, besides" he
added, with an attempt at iacetiousness
"on this occasion We have other fish to fry.
So, Jeremy !"--and as he called keen
looking, ierret-eycd lad entered the office
''run as fast as you can to tho Bell, and or
dor out chaisc and pair for Mr.. Launcelot
Braham, to come round Immediately, and
then 60 and inform Mrs. Snaggs that her
master will dine from home to-day"
Having done issuing these orders, the
worthy lawyer now began most carefully to
put away sundry OF the documents which
were strcwn over the table before him, and
to lock them away in his desk, while Mr..
Launcelot Braham continued to expatiate on
the peculiar cIcellencies Of the property Of
which no had become the fortunate possess
or until at length, the arrival Of the chaiso
broke up the tete-a.teie, and tho friends wero
soon on their way to the land of promise.
The drive was delightful. Mr.. Launcclo,
Braham was in tho highest spirits, hs felt
all tho conscious responsibility Of freehold.
cr, and was half angry at the imperturablc
gravity Of his legal companion, who sat
gnawing the finger Of tho right-hand glove,
and ever and anon, as they neared Staines,
looking anxiously right and left for the fish
ing villa.
The auctioneer had stated among other
admirable features, that II presented very
pleasing object from the bridge; and consc-
quently the eager bachelor had instructed
the postboy to pull up midway Of that in
teresting erection, in order that he might
then and thence feast his eyes with first
view Of the house. He was obcyed; but
the two friends looked in vain for q consid.
erable time, until the lawyer bcthousht him
Of the post-boy, whose local information
must at once set them right.
"0h, uy, sir" said tho knight Of the
whip and spur 3" knowed a, II were to be
sold and q precious 60 II is for the gcn'l'man
who bought It. My stars, they 'rc deep
'uns at them there marts There g The
property gcn'l'mcn."
And as the four eyes within tho vehicle
followed the direction Of his outstretchcd
arm, the two friends fell back aghast
Mr.. Launcelot Braham had purchased the
abandoned dollhouse at staincs bridge!
J. P.