The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-07-31
HOW WE TOOK A BoARDER.


Now, our house is quite 4 large one,
and, besides those apartments which We
occupy ourselves and those which We
dedicate to our guests, there is very
nice little room on the second floor,
which we never Use and very seldom
enter.
One morning, when l happened to
feel in very economical mood, be.
thought myself that. were this room
furnished preitily, we might just as well
is not take boardcr-thcrc were such
numbers Of advertisements in the papers
for just such places. So many single
ladies wished "board in private family
where no other boardcrs were taken, "
and so many single gentlemen pined for
"the comforts of home" that had no
doubt We could suit ourselves exactly.
Accordingly | broached the subject
to Psalicr at the table that very evening.
Psaltcr only laughed at first, but when
he found that was in earnest. acquiesc-
cd in the arrangement, merely stipulat-
ing that neither maiden lady nor "gen-
tleman and his wife," were to become
inhabitants Of the apartment. Conse-
qucntly my choice was limited. A single
gentleman | must have, and | was de-
termircd to be very particular about
him. consider myself 4 pretty good
judge of character, and resolved to
select an intellectual, moral and we'll
hammered person, or to give up the
idea altogether.
Tuesday and Wednesday passed with
out any answer. Thursday brought a
young man belonging to fire compa-
ny, who stipulated that the members of
his "machine" should be allowed the
privilege of meeting in my parlor once
week, as their engine house was out Of
order, and likewise mentioned that he
always. in the morning, took brandy
instead of milk in his coffee.
To this gentleman proposals | was
obliged 10 answer in the negative, and,
on his pressing the point, to inform him
that the reception Of the engine COM
pany would OF itself be an insuperablc
obstacle. did not think it prudent to
add that his appearance and converse
ton did not tend to make me desrous
of his society. Although thought so,
! based my objection altogether upon
the fire company's expectation Of meet
ing in my parlors.
had said enough to offend my Wis
itor, however, for he thrust his head
forward turtle-fashion, and remarked
that | had better not "run down No.
AGO." and that might lie "hopping
glad to have 'em meet in my parlor, Tor
for all l thought myself some pun
kins, | was only small pertaturs," and
that "No. s4o boys were fine fellers,
and I'd better not contradict him
sa-ay!" and departed, leaving an
odor Of bad cigars and stale whisky be-
hind him.
My next applicant was 4 maiden lady,
who desired accommodations for her
self, a parrot, monkey, two poodles,
a kitten and cabinet of neurological
specimens. or course she did not suit
me, especially as she was very particu-
lar in her inquiries rs to my servant
girls capability Of washing and attend
ing upon poodles and parrots.
Closely following upon her heels came
a gentleman Of respectable appearance
and PLAUSIBLE address, with whom, in
spite Of a pair Of very wild, singular
eyes, which protruded beyond the lids
until they appeared about to drop out
into his checks, was nightly taken |
In fact, the arrangements were nearly
concluded, when, to my horror, made
the discovery that he was professor of
spiritualism and speaking and singing
medium; likewise, my eyes were open
ed at once to the singularity Of the gen.
tleman's eyes by his confession, and /
became aware that the nearest insane
asylum would in all probability suit him
far better than my humble dwelling
So, with an inward thanksgiving for my
rescue, l got out Of the scrape as polite
ly as possible, and the ''mcdium" de.
parted.
Then arrived three very untidy young
men who wanted to share the apartment
and receive scholars on the violincello
therein.
After these had departed, | declare l
was quite out Of patience and almost
resolved to give up my notable idea al
together; but, just as I had come to
this conclusion, heard another ring at
the bell. Such ring! Not loud,
imperative, abrupt peal, hut modest,
musical Naturalization, which be-
tokcned an unassuming and well-bred
applicant for admission.
"a young gentleman" so Biddy in
formed me, and after peeping in the
glass to see if my hair was smooth, l
ran up stairs.
There was young gentleman in the
parlor-a tall, fair young man, with
straight, straw-colored hair, combed
back from his forehead with rush, and
white cravat Of ministerial proper
n. Lal I.uw l.ssls. L..l. -.