Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-07-22

receptacle for fire underneath. This
communicated with drying room large
enough to hold the wash OF any ordi-
nary family. There being five families
on each floor, washing need be carried
on but five days in the week, one day
being allotted to each. There are, OF
course, no bathrooms. but there is
nothing to prevent mother from Civ
ing her brood at least weekly scrub
10 the laundry on her own wash-day.
In answer to the rat tat tat OF really
artistic iron knockor with which every
door is provided, tidy woman opened
the door, admitting us with the quaint
est OF courtesies and with many apollo
gias for the state in which she found
her rooms. ''You sec, mem, I'm just
morin' into the wash ouae to ave
these rooms renovated" She was a
proud woman, as one could see by the
way she rolled out the word frenzy
waited, " There is process OF evolu-
tion going on among Mr.. Peabody's
tenants, and in year or two she will
"redecorate" her rooms.
a tiny hall, three feet square, with a
coal-box, a safe or cupboard, and shelves
to the ceiling on one side and cur
tanned recess for coats on the other,
led into the main living.ruom, which
was as completely fitted up as ships
cabin. There was a cheerful stove for
cooking and heating set we'll back in
the chimney, and thus taking up a
minimum of room, shelves here and
there for hooks and china, and cup
boards in every available bit of wall
space. Adjoining thia was q room
large enough for bed, wash stand. and
| III j. b.. II.
Notwithstanding the necessary chaos Of
moving, it was evident that here was a
home, albeit one of the never 10 hum
ble'' sort. The two rooms rented for
about SO. 80 month. Ae the wages Of
the English artisan are in no way in
ferior TO those of an American of the
Same grade, one could hardly be a
patriotic American without wishing
that Mr. Peabodys beneyolence had
centred in his own country.
Another little home which was not
sup for repairs, - showed such quaint
and simple taste in furnishing. such a
neatness and amplitude of snowy cur
tains such almost pathetic attempts at
| decoration, that one instinctivey recog-
ni2ed that vice could have no foothold
where this home spirit prevailed.
Towers bloom and birds sing in at
least one window of almost every apart
ment. Children are not allowed 10 play
on the stairs or in the halls or laun-
dries. Dogs must not he kept on the
premises, nor are tenants allowed to
4 underlet or take in dodgers or to keep a
shop Of any kind. The laundries are
for private uso only, and washing can.
not be taken in nor can clothes be hung
out OF the windows. Carpets and rugs
must bu beaten In the court only, and
that before 10 a. 10. Refuse is to be
burned as far as practicable or to be
placed in a receptacle provided for the
purposes, but nothing can be thrown
from doors or windows. Passages.
stairs. closets, laundry and lavatory
windows must be washed every Satur.
day and swept every morning before il
o'clock by the tenants in turn. In con,
sequence of these restrictions, which
are rightly enforced, the apartments
have clearly, home-like air much su,
perior to that of tenements of the samt
class in New York
The rules for the prevention and re
preston Of infectious diseases are vice
10 the extreme, separate wash. house
being provided in an isolated part OIL
the grounds, where infected Clothet
must be washed. In small building
which Mr.. Gardner called his repair
shop and hospital, were to be found
every requisite for such repairs, cleans
ing and disinfecting as might be neces
ssry. Huge vats of kalsomine in Tut
to suit the most aesthetic, with brushed
loaned on application: great demi
johns Of disinfecting fluids; keys anc
locks and door knobs and window fas
Jennings and screws, nails, hinges ant
what not, are TO be had without money
and without price.
Gas is provided,tor lighting and heat
ing on the "penny-in the slot" plan, ;
penny in English money or two cent
in American money providing suf
foient gus for six hours cooking.
By this time the sunshine had givel
place TO a good old fashioned down
pour, which in the shortest possible
time suiiiced to give me fair sampl
OF London mud. as | thoughtful!
turned my steps hotel ward, WONDERING
when and where and how. with land a
anything per front foot its owners hav,
mind to ask for it, New York woulC
provide such homes for its poor