The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-09-10
THE CHILDRENS' PLAYHOUSE

We many years ago visited q place celebra-
yea all over the country for its great beauty. A
grand house was surrounded by equally grand
grounds; there were broad an carpet lik q
lawns, smoothly rolled walks there were tail
old trees and rare flowers there were statues
and vases brought from Europe; there were
covered seats, fountain, water fall, and u
BRIDGE and it seemed as if everything tha:
money could buy, had been brous hit toyether
to make the place beautiful. We spent many
hours In these charming grounds, and now,
atter these many years, when we think of our
visit there, what do yon suppose first comes to
mind as the prettiest thing on the W hole placef
Not statue, vase. or fountain, but little hut
built of poles and bark, Idden among the tall
shrubs in s-qniet nook--a play house for the
children here was good sense The owner
was wealthy enough to have had it made of
marble, or it might have been of nice wood
work. with carving and painting, bat he had
not forgotten that he once O child and
that children when they have a good time, do
not wish to be in fear of scratching the paint
or disfguring the marble, q neat bark house
was built for them and right cosy it locke
Children like some place which they Can call
theirs, where they can have their play things
and where they can invite their young friends.
lt need not be very nice, but it should be q
shelter from the sun, and all the better if the
roof can be- tight enongh to keep out the rain,
so that it can be used in stormy we'll as in
bright days. tent will answer pretty we'll
but it is not 80 good as house built of boards
Those who live where trees are plenty, can
easily make neat rustic house. The roof is
tue prluCipbl unlnS, 1or the SIDES need to be
pretty much oil doors aud windows, to give
plenty of air. Pine leaves make capital Car.
pet or you can cut rashes to lay down on the
floor. In choosing a place. that it is one
from which the water will run away when it
rains, else it might be very unpleasaut. A very
pretty house may be made by putting up a
roof-only let it be a good broad oue-snpport
ed by posts, and then plant vines all around to
serve for the sides. Morning elores, beans
especially scarlet runners-Cy press vine, and
Others, can be trained upon strIugs to make a
nice shady arbor. Then boxes, kegs and other
articles can soon be turned into furniture that
you need not be afraid of scratching. Young
sters do not need to be told what TO do with
such house. The school keeping, the tea par
ties, the going a visiting, will all come of
themselves. Then it can be the chIldrens' mu-
scum, where all the curious and pretty things
that you find can be collected. Here the curl
GUS stones that are found about the place, the
shells from the brook, the pine cones, the wax.
work berries, will all be brought, and here will
come the gay bunches of autumn leaves. Don't |
forget to make friends of the birds and the !
squirrels, as they may be taught to come about |
tue house and be very tame. 1t is not the most |
things that bring the most enjoy
ment, and boy can make his young brothers |
and sisters happier by providing them with a |
simple play house, than in any other way we |
San think of. 1t is perhaps rather late in the |
season, but house built in these fine autumn
days will be all ready for another year.