The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-09-11
A Slight misunderstanding.
T'eras Sittings.

But a grave subject mOnopollzed the
thought of Mr.. B. He contemplated
building a new barn that should eclipse
any that his neighbors possessed. He
had thought to be the architect of his
own barn, as he had been of his own
fortune, and had drawn up and torn up
innumerahle plans for it. But nothing
he could devise afforded satisfaction.
One evening Mr.. and Mrs. Bumble-
thorp sat together in their snug little
sitting room. Mr.. BIS thoughts were
on the barn, as usual, and Mrs. B. was
thinking of her daughter and the wari.
ness of suitors.
AT length Bumblethorp sprang to his
feet and exclaimed abruptly:
by George, 1 believe will advertise
for proposals!
Advertise for proposals. cried Mrs.
B., struck all of heap, as she after
wards expressed, 'why, Bumblethorp,
what would the neighbors say to that7'
Say, my dear7 No matter what they
say. It's none of their business anyhow.
Besides, it's not at all unusual. Such
things are done every day.
YES said Mrs. B., thoughtfully,
I've seen advertisements of that kind in
the papers, and she picked up paper
to see if her eye would fall upon one ;
sbut folks do not sign their real names,
do they2 "A young man of good family
and steady habits can hear something
to his advantage by addressing, Mother
in law
sMother-in-law? Fiddlesticks! You
don't know what you are talking about.
l shall sign my own name. Them tel
lers know who Caleb Bumblethorp is,
reckon
Them fellers, Mr.. BumblethorpF
Eyes; the fellers that we want to
reach. Moneys what they're after, you
know, and they'll send in their propo'
sails by the next mail
'How many-er-proposals do you
think we'll get?' asked Mrs. B., who
began to see an opportunity for making
an eligible selection, though she didn't
like that way of doing the business.
"A dozen, like as not. But the more
the merrier. shall ask for plans ane
specifications, of course, before select
ing one.
sPlans and specifications exclaimed
Mrs. B., more and more bewildered.
That what said. We must hav
plans, mustn't we2'
sOf course assented Mrs. B., VIII
had been doing nothing else but re
volving plans for several years back.
'In the first place, continued Mr.. B.
there must be good solid foundation.
you mean pedigree.
Now, you are thinking about the sta
BILE, but we will consider that afterwards
The next thing desirable is good, stron
frame. l shall insist on strong frame
and it must be thoroughly braced up. ;
'But 1 thought you didn't believe i
bracing up said Mrs. B., quite shock
ed at such a radical change of sentimen
on the part of her husband, who was a
unbending, total abstinence man.
sMrs. B., don't see what you al
thinking of. A brace here and there
absolutely necessary, and man VIII
knows his business will put it in
'Perhaps-you mean EN- BRACE sal
, Mrs. B., coloring a little.
'Embrace!' echoed B., with some su
prise. Then he added, testify, 'Se
here, mother, I don't want any OF yo'
weak puns over the business. This COM
of reading them funny papers.
9 Mrs. B. rested silent and abashed.
. After some moments reflection,
! resumed:
: 'How many stories high can we 6
along with7'
Good gracious, Bumblethorp!' erie
Mrs. B., in genuine alarm, cant