Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-08-11
Life on . Houssboat,

aoout s1A years ago. says Ile queen,
q domicile on houseboat was viewed
in the light of an eccentricity. At
present sixty or more of these movable
homes fringe the edge of the Bucks
shore and, with their brilliant drapery
and fower-garlanded fronts, impart
color and animation to town that was
formerly accredited with drowsiness
during $50 days in the year. Life on
househoat offers many charms besides
that of variety. We are most CT US
acquainted with the recommendation
set forth in favor of life on fiat; the
houseboat NAV lay claim to all of them.
with the additional advantage of a
facility for changing aspect, position.
neighbors. and encourage whenever a
desire for fresh scenes and society
arises. On houseboat there are none
of the discomforts of a semi-detached
villa, and neither need for. nor posi-
bility, OF many servants. Upon these
latter the atmosphere of the river
houses seems to exercise happy intiu-
ence. The difficulty cook experiences
when in town of sending up dinner,
unless her we'll appointed kitchen be
supplied with every modern invention
and device. appears never to occur to
her when on board boat. There her
sNnctum of about four foot square, with
utensils in proportionate limits. and
the atmosphere of an Inferno, satisfy
all the requirements of that, under
other circumstances, exacting woman.
The pantry Portable requisites is equal
~ limited, BUT. then every glass and
cup fits into its appointed groove; and
when each ringhas place and duly
fills it there is no sense of overcrowd-
ing. The sleeping accommodation is
apportioned with similar economy, the
arrangement of berths being the same
as those which prevail on yachts and
steamers; everything done for the pro-
motion of comfort and exclusion of
superauities. The drawing and dining
rooms afford more scope for ornamen-
tatiOn.
Entertainment without limit seems
to be the order of river life so long as
fine weather and presence of neighbors
continue. AS nj ght draws near and
the twilight fades into that dusk which
renders every surrounding object dim
the excursions on the water cease.
Then each boat and launch puts forth
its lights and snatches of song with
musical accomplishments are heard
along the stretch of river. In the
pauses may occasion llv be discerned
the note of the corncrake from the ad-
jacent shore or the distant sounds from
neighboring town or village. 1t is Oft
en- late before all the occupants of the
boat sink into silence. as the tempta-
ton to watch quiet river, sky. and
moon is more al]uring than the tiny
berth below. Dress requirements are
happily few, and those habituated to
the river life may be distinguished by
the simplicity of their attire. Plain
skirts + serge or flannel are mostly
adopted, with skirts of washing silk.
The boats colors are shown in neck:ie
hat, and waistband, and its name on
the silver buckle that clasps the latter
The stri ped boating jackets, fastened
with a solitary button, slip easily over
the skirt and supply additional warm
tn when it is desired. The outside of
the households show an infinite varie-
ty of flags and much characterization
during the regatta days. In quieter
periods the decoration is chiefly floral
the bunting only reappearing Sundays
and gala occasions.