The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-29
AMONG THE CLOUDS.
Pretty Eome Nests on the Roofs OF
Twenty-Story Buildings.

High life ON lower Broadway differs
eomewhat from high life on Fifth av-
enue, of course. Both are picturesque.
High life down town is confined to the
roofs of the skyscrapers, and the cox
ony Is growing. These curious littis
homes are we'll worth inspection.
Some of them are sat exactly on line
with the pavements of Broadway, while
others have been built a few feet behind
neat little front gardens, which bloom
in season. Many Of these quiet home
nests rest on foundations some is or 20
stories in height, and are consequent
ly free from damp cellars and similar
causes of complaint. These depart
ments, the highest in the metropolis,
rent for few dollars a month, which
is very reasonable considering the value
OF real estate ON Broadway.
They are inhabited by the janitors OF
the immense buildings which form the
foundations of the modest cottages
Real estate on the lower end of Man.
haitian island has grown so enormously
In value that even the roofs of 2o-story
buildings cannot be allowed to go TO
waste. The architecture IN many OF
the small homesteads follows the style
of the IS or 20-stoGy foundations on
which they rest. In many cases the
cottages have been constructed at a
cost of many thousands of dollars.
Some of them are built entirely OF
stone, or terra Gotta, or other valuable
I'll Il %.1r
rated. The most picturesque of them
all Is located in the tower of the prod
uce exchange building. Viewed from
the street this tower looks moro like
a dovecot than O human babitation.
But it Is e1s stories high, and contains
@ dozen comfortable roomA, which shell
ter the janitor and his family, not
counting the dog. A paraPet keeps the
household gods from droppiDg to death
while viewing the passing show on sea
and shore below.
These high homes have their advan,
tages. Few homes here can boast o.
20 largo front yard as the one enjoyed
by the tenants of the stock exchange
roof top. It Is nearly block in length,
end quite as bright in summer as any
city suburban yard can be, barring nat.
ural effects. He has fresh cir 10 burn
at ell seasons, both Of the land and the
sea breeze sort Housekeeping goes on
up near the sky much the same as Oh the
solid earth 200 feet below. The front
yard Is well supplied with clotbeslineA
on which the wash Is regularly hung
out To dry.
The roof IS covered with sand. giving
II O ground effect There are no trees
or grass growing there, 70 be sure, but
IN season there are several flower beds
arranged in boxes which add q pleasant
touch Of color TO the whole. The dog
kennel stands beside the kitchen door,
and the bow-wow roanls at will, with
no opportunity 70 exercsse his Jaws
on t-emps or burglars. The children
who live In these high attitudes have
carried their bicycles, wheelbarrows
and other toys up with them and have
q ground all TO themselves, which is
not equsied by any millionaire's child's
playground In the city.
Just at present they arc running UP
their sleds 20 enjoy tho sleddins IN their
airy playground on lower Broadway.
The interiors Of these lofty babita
tons are cory Is well - quiet and 50
cure, providing The occupants DO not
dream Of fires. cyclone oc earthquakes
Tho occupants OF thee high homes ar,
Is rule, not very Isighboriy. as call
Ing after nightfan Is = physical irnpos
sidlity. After the express elevators
spop wits necessarily cease 1t would
consume II hours time 70 reach
neighbor living within speaking dis-
tauce. a. stair climbing - both hard
End slow. especially n : 0oe-foo- town
that is full Of lifts" But the high life
population is Increasing, and the out
skirts Of the settlement now extern
a. far north As Central park. ard viii
soon be huEying Hszlen--S. !. Coz.
Pittsburgh Dispateh-