Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1880-06-12
THE EoUETARLE BUILDING.

0OOO GAAAOAS AAAN OSA NV
ures. And the insidei A flight of
steps leads up to an immense hall,
divided into many compartments
by delicate bronze railings, into
which are set little gates, opening
as if by magic. In each one of the
little rooms thus furnished is desk
covered with books bound in vel
lum, and in whose spotless pages
busy clerks write daily records of
life and death. This is the main
Office, you understand, and here the
floor is of white marble, with now
and then curious star, shaped fig
ure in mosaic inlaid; the ceiling in
a tangled network of gold and
cream and red, beautifully frescoed,
and at the farthest end, and just be-
meath a stained glass memorial VIM
dow, is another flight of stairs, lead
ing up to slender balconies which
were on either side of the hall.
There open on to these balconies
many doors, for up here are private
offices, occupied by the president
and his assistants. These are fitted
up in palatial style.
The day was there was perfect
spring one, and my escort called my
attention to the many works OF art
by master minds given to the world
by the designers of this building.
This he did while we stood in the
sunlight at the presidents apart
ment. My companion, knowing
well the magic word by which entry
is gained to this almost inapproach-
able spot. gave the watch-word and,
for us, the door was quickly opened,
and we were courteously, invited to
enter. Here / was introduced to
the general superintendent and pres
ident, both of whom are elegant
gentlemen. My friend then request
ed that we be allowed to see the
building, and Immediately nice
young fellow sprang up like flash
from some hidden region as our
guide. We were taken then to the
most beautiful room 1 ever saw,
called (by courtesy the chapel-a
long apartment in fittings of green
and oak. Down the center runs a
long table, and many seats are
ranged along its sides. Each of
these is a work Of genius, and the
table itself the chief. An altar and
Bible stand in readiness for service,
and opposite them, on the carved
mantel-piece, stands an elegant
wooden clock. / Hooked at the lovely
paintings which form the walls, then
at the articles of Uertu, and lastly at
that table which was so conspicu-
Gus, and then remarked softly: sit
seems to me as if champagne and
oysters would be lovely, eaten in
here, and l firmly believe that is
what these gentlemen do, when
they meet together to pray and
sing" The keeper of the room and
our guide laughed heartily, but
earnestly assured me that this room
was strictly devoted to religious ex-
ercises. Don't believe word OF it;
the odor of fine wines and cigars is
entirely too pervading to be lightly
brushed out on the entrance of sane
timonious visitors such as we were,
Consequently said that their sol-
emn denials were all frauds!
From this room we then went out
into a passage-way to the elevator,
in order to ascend to the roof. Step
ping in, we went up until glare of
sunshine blinded our eyes, and we
were asked to follow the guide to
the steps which led to the highest
story. Having previously heard that
people actually live on the top of
this building, my eyes roved round
until they rested upon quaint
toWer-like house on one side, and
perched like In its lofty nook.
This little house is really beautiful,
and is occupied by the janitor and
his family. Like most northerners,
they are fond of the refinements and
comforts of life, for they have bloom
ing flowers and rare vines all about
them. Taking the glass kindly
offered US, adjusted it and saw the
cities and rivers lying far beneath
with great eases and clearness. Brook
lyn bridge and its cables were
brought out fairly; the elevated
railroads and the clocks, and no
lovelier picture of the great city,
with its millions Of breathing life
could be viewed than from this
lofty standpoint.
Here, too, is the U. s. signal Office,
and here Old Probabilities [the
weather pFophet) pPesldes In state,
Upon his halloWed precincts no com=
mon mortal dare transgress; so we
did not venture in. =.
Then growing weary of so0rching
sun-rays, we entered the elevator
ouce more and went below. After
reaching the main hall described
above we were taken to the safe de-
posit room, where golden door
was unlocked to us by a nobby
young clerk and locked quick as a
flesh behind US. Then another young
man of the period showed US the
various boxes, safes and drawers, all
fire and burglar proof, being too in
tricate to be opened save by expert
enced fingers or the tiny keys of the
brave young clerk in charge. We
were soon given in charge of sty-
lish darkey, who conducted us
through his apartment, wherein are
safes and boxes still different, in
which coupons are securely laid
away.
On either side of this next pas
sage-waY, lying between these two
rooms, are tiny parlors, just large
enough for one or two people to sit