The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-03-28
Ny Hahitation.
TEE.

1t is tall, two-stored edifce the lower
compartment, however, is of 90 little com par"
tive Importance, that very few "o'us wa
suffice for its description. The bouse Stanu
upoh two strongly built arches, which, tnoos"
low and small, are enabled, on account Oh 'ne'f
curved shape, to support with perfect ease WIG
entire superstructure. On these arches stana
two columns, and these rest the many
apartments of the whole tenement. Two heAi
bic beams are attached to the outside wall
near the top of the first floor; and l, VINO ani
the present possessor of the establishment anu
who understand all about it, use these oeams
for at least q thousand different purposes so
that they kept pretty constantly In MOTION
like the sails of windmill.
Now come to the most interesting part, oy
far. of the description viz the upper story OF
| this oueer abode. 1t is small, but well-propor-
toned to the rest of the building, and lts
shape is that of graceful, grecian DOME Inc
rounded roof is matched with straw, which,
when shone on by the sun, CLEANS like golden
shsaves. The windows of this structure are OF
two different styles Two are similar in form
to a sea-shell, being fastened to the wall with
the smaller end turned inward and the
! these windows, leaving them wide open both
day and night; yet l know that it Is through
them that a certain class Of robbers is most
likely to enter.
just beneath the overhanging caves arc
placed two other windows, which are the most
useful to me, and which, for many reasons,
like the best of all. They are provided With
} white curtains, which l can let rise and fall a.
J will and with rapidity equal to thought
i. itself Whenever the curtains are lifted, 81
that the light shines in, beautiful pictures arr
transmitted through the panes of glass to thu
r dim walls of the inner chamber, where the!
remain until Time effaces them.
The principal entrance to my house i
through an arched portal, closed by toidln
doors of carved pearl. Just within the vesti
II bule hangs bell, which l use daily, eve
: hourly, and yet the more I ring it, the NOR
: perfect is its tone.
n Having thus Described the exterior, wi
: now turn my attention to the Interior OF III
u mansion. Whatever wealth | may possess
= stored away the roof; here some of III
) treasures were placed when the dwelling W:
=, first built ; and to these, additions have bee
made from time to time, by many hands an
from various sources.
~ Now a word or two about the constractio
of this wonderful edifce. 1t was put togeth'
re "without sound of hammer or stroke of nail
a and yet of all the numerous hinges that col
~ meet the various parts, not one has ever grow
US rusty the shutters work as perfectly as on Il
first morning of their erection, the curtai
heve never lost their silken fringe, the pan
1e of glass have never once been broken, but ST
shine with their original brilliancy.
~ In the centre apartment fountain pla
y continually, sending its life-giving waters
~ to the very roof and down to the lowest bat
o. ruent. 1t is this constant current that cou
e. teracts the effects of the many ever burnil
Ill furnaces that arc placed along the corridors
be this strange house of mine.
all But one day, the Great Architect, who
X signed and built this wonderful structure, W
lay His hand upon the restless fountain, Al
bid it to play. Obedent to His col
mand, it will instantly be still, the waters "
w cease to few, and the fire will, by slow degree
C consume the whole grand work.
~ When that time comes, ], who have occupi
ns this habitation for seventeen happy years, W
hasten from it, to take possession, hope fl
ever, of one not made by hands, which W
"a never crumble into dust, and which will
eternal in the Heavens.