A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 12 May 1891, Page 4

A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING.

JP But one child— a daughter— had blest the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bumblethorp. 'She ripened into womanhood, but in ripening she had developed few of those feminine charms calculated to attract suitors, and there were indications that she would die an 'old maid if her life was spared. How to 'secure a husband for her was the great i problem in the mind of Mrs. B. which she ; was continually revolving, indignant, sometimes, that her husband seemed to give himself no concern about it. > * But a grave snbjcct monopolised the thoughts of Mr. 8 ., who had recently given up his city grocery business, and was now an amateur farmer. He contemplated building a big bam that should eclipse any that his neighbours possessed. He had thought to be tlie architect of his own barn as he had been of his own fortune, and had drawn up ancl torn up innumerable plans for it. But nothing he could devise aflorded satisfaction. One evening Mr and Mrs. Bumblethorp Bat logether in their snug little sitting-room. Mr. B.s thoughts were on the barn, as usual, and Mrs. B. was thinking of her daughter and the wariness of suitors. At length Bumblethorp sprang to his feet and exclaimed abruptly — " By George, I believe I will advertise for proposals." " Advertise for proposals !" cried Mrs. 8., struck all of a heap, as she afterwards expressed it, " why, Bumblethorp, what would the neighbours s.\y to that ?"• " Say, my dear ? No matter what they say. It's none of their business. Besides, * it's not at all unusual. Such things are done every day." " Yes," said Mrs. 8., thoughtfully, " I've seen advertisements of that kind in the papers, ' and she picked up a paper to see if her eye would fall upon one, " but folks do not sign their real names, do they ? Something like this would be better— 'A young man of good family and steady habits can hear something lo his advantage by addressing, mother-in-law.' " " Mother -in - law ? Fiddlesticks ! You don't know what you are talking about. I Shall sign my own name. Them fellows know who Caleb Bumblethorp is." "Them fellows, Mr. Bumblethorp ?" ' " Yes, the fellows that we want to reach. Moneys what they're after, ycu know, and they'll send in their proposals by next post." " How many — cr — proposals do you think we'll get ?" asked Mrs. 8., who began to sec an opportunity for making an eligible selection, though she didn't quite like that way of doing the busines.-.. " A dozen or t.vo. But the more the merrier. I sir-til as!, for plans and specifications of course, h'j.'ore selecting one." " I'l.in.i r.:id st;e-_ific..iio:i3 !" exclaimed Mrs. 8., more and more bewildered. "That's wh.it I said. We must have plans, musn't we ?" "Of course," as-.ented Mrs. 8., who had been doing nothing else but revolving plans for several years back. "In the lirst p. ise," continued Mr. 8., "there must bo a •■.md solid foundation." , • 1 " You mean pedir.ve." J " Now you are thinking about the stable, but we will consider that afterwards. The next thing desirable is good, strong walls. I shall insist on strong walls, and they must be thoroughly braced up." "But I thought you didn't believe in bracing up," said Mrs. 8., quite shocked at such a radical change of sentiment on the part of her husband, who was an unbending, total abstinence man, " Mrs. 8., I don't see what you are thinking of. A brace here and there is absolutely necessary." " Perhaps — perhaps you mean embrace," said Mrs. 8., colouring a little. " Embrace !" echoed 8., with some surprise. Then he added testily, "See here, mother, I don't want any of your weak puns over the business." ' • Mrs. B. rested silent and abashed. I After some moments reflection he resumed .' — "How many storeys can we get' along with ?" "Good gracious! Bumblethorp," cried , Mrs. 8., in genuine alarm, "can't we have one without any stories attached ? These stories are passed about from mouth to mouth, and then they get into the newspapers, you know. It will be terribly morjf- tifying to Celia Ann." " Mortifying to Celia Ann? I really believe you are getting crazy. Storeys are necessary if you want one that will hold a good deal." *■■ " Hold a good deal, Mr. Bumblethorp ?" $ " You know what I mean. I want one that is able to stow away lots of fodder." " Why, I never heard you go on like that* before. Do you want a gourmand for a son-in-law ?" IF- ? " Gourmand ? Son-in law ? Who's talking about a son-in-law ?" •• Why, you are, aren't you ? You know I've been trying for so many years to get Celia Arm married wen, and didn't you say . jmst now that you ware goi .g to advertise ' for proposals ?" '• Yes, I did," said 8., a light suddenly ; ; [bursting upon him. ;v k' «• Well, what do you mean by it ?" y. t "I meant," said Bumblethorp, purple t from suppressed laughter, "proposals for . bnilding my new barn!" and then he had %. to run out to the back yard where he could I give vent to his mirth in order to avoid I eudden apoplexy.