Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-31

,a.ir!stol coors. Here tn. sod4 fountain
u- ~ its lo.'n and spark" n',' lie lunch
r.. it.'. ~ IS" e reshiu1 h,I y .ur Ia,
~. etJ.aj.e ,r uLd ii ", =, - -. 4 ak
OF fuivs,iue wnJ-s sreeu neids, worn by the
feet OF pilgrims, and sscred cities already
crumbliug undtr the weight Of decade Of
years, give signs OF departed glory. A few
more steps TO The south and We find ourselves
facing the BIZ autiiul espauaGe that slopes
gently toward the lake fion tue Hotel
Athena i'm. This portion OF the ground,
which has leen laid out and covered with
green turf, mostly within the past year, has
added much to the attractiveness of every
thing In the vicinity. Here many kinds of
Towering aud foliage plants are tastefully
arranged In various quarters. Mercury is
flying to deliver his message, Ceres stands
meekly with her sheaf, and other pieces CT
sta,uary adorn the promenade. Amusement Is
is also provided in the midst by the lawn
tennis grounds that are carefully marked out
In the green turf, and other means of
diversion close at hand
The AthenGum, our next object OF interes',
is the only hotel on the grounds, although
the signs Board and Lodging" warm
Meals" etc., are tackled on to about every
third cottage. But the hotel is especially
favored in location as well as in its appoint
ments. From Its spacious verandas the guest
has a cheerful outlook upon the lake and the
opposite shore in the distance, while, in the
intervening space, the park just described
greets the senses with a host of cheerful
sounds pleasant sights and sweet aromas.
But will not attempt to describe this palace
of splendor OF The many rival cottages in
various parts of the grounds which display
the imaginative arts so Enthusiastically. wish
rather TO speak of anoth,r phase of
Chautauqua lifc-its social and domestic re-
lations.
These arc sometimes called the inner life
of society-the life indoors-but they are
not 50 regarded here-not at least by all. 1t
is surprising to observe The extent to which
they are open to public gaze. Even tue
means OF seclusion provided are little
esteemed beyond their ability 10 meet the
demands of prophecy. AS sit here with
pencil in hand, tipped back against the trunk
| OF spreading MAPLE am in position to see
what is going on in aud about the homes of
not less than dozen families. Just across
| the way is a wooden structure, called Noal's
| Ark, enclosed at the ends but open at the
sldes-a not very efficient boat with which
| to encounter a tlJJd-but very convenient
arrangement for the reception of dislin-
gulshed guests. who might otherwise be
running loose about the premises. This
building is fitted up with a series of double
rooms which only lack the iron bars in front
10 make them very similar to the dens used
10 cohiine wild animals at geological gnr-
dens. But these theological lairs are grace
fully decorated Brussels aud brUldcIy,
tapestry and trimmings give an air of nobility
TO the place, and remove every suspicion Of
poverty. Screens Of canvas and beautiful
lace curtains at times conceal the occupants,
| but they are usually turned aside during the
day and evening, 80 that all the performances
| within are visible 10 the sight seeing
public.
| But here at the tight is another phase Of
domestic felicity. A happy family is mad.
comfortable in dwelling OF wood and can.
vas extempolized from materials Lear nj
hand. The proprietor, who is about TO erect
o cottage on the ground, has laid temporary
| flooring, piled his lumber Ynd shingles around
at the sides, extended the apartment thus
formed TO the trout by means Of awning, and
covered the whole with roof composed OF
boards and sheets of canvas. This ap-
| proaches somewhat the old idea of the OLD
Hollander who "shlnged with straw and
clapboarded with rails" Inside this rude
cottage are a capacious parlor, convenient
sleeping rooms and ample wardlobes. But
what have they for kitchen. A rara aris
1t is indeed and out of order would it be con-
sidcred al other places, but here il Is entirely
within the canon. This kitchen, with the
greasy turf for its floor and the blue sky tor
its ceiling is bounded on the north by Ram
Bile avenue and Noah's ark, on the east by a
pilq of shingles, on the south by the hot sun
and on the west by policeman, Within the
limits of these boundaries il situated cook
ing stove which looks Us if il might have
been used by Braddock and his army during
the French aud English war, but it has ser.
vice in it yet, and is well equipped with all
the necessary utensils for preparing the
morning and evening meal. But where is
the dining room? That's in the kitchen, and
| o cheerful sight it is to see this merry group
sit down to o table with 'festal dainlies
spread" aud rcgele themselves in the open
| air.
The space under the floor, which is elevated
about two feet from the ground, constitutes
| that part of the lardcr which contains the
butter lar, b1eed basket and oil can. On the
the back door sleps end leaning against Il
tree is Il large bag of potatoes. A long scat,
like those in the old auditorium, holds the
4 water pail, three milk pans, two pie plates
and . case snife--where the rest of the set
are, the imagination only can discover. A
large organ box standing in the shade of two
young naples is made the repository of four
stew pots and stew pans. Various other
cooking utensils and pieces of crockery, to-
gether with two gallon tomato can pro
vided with bail, form in line on the top
board of lumber pile. Soap cakes, backing
and stove polish-thc latter is a full package,
doubtless 10 reserve in case the loot backing
runs out-are wedged into the spaces
between the timbers of lumber pile while
The dish rag hangs on projecting single
and waves in the gentle lrea7e."