New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-19
SOME WAYS OF THE WORLD.
TAKING A SUMMER OUTING IN HOUSE
WAGON
AS COMFORTABLE AS A HoUsEBoAT, AND
WHOLLY NOVEI-HOw SOCIETY MAY BE
rrcrr,-rD uy NOTRNINC ROBES

AS COMFORTABLE AS A HoUsEBoAT, AND
WHOLLY NovEr-How SOCIETY MAY BE
DECEIVED BY MOURNING ROBES
81 think I may truthfully say that the happest
holiday I ever spent" said bright woman the
other day. was passed in a house-wagon. and
often wonder why such a delightful way of sum
mer living has become more popular. FOR
couples Of limited means II offers endless posi-
bilities Ny husband whose lungs had been lcit
somewhat weak after attack Of pneumonia
was told by the physician that he must take
long rest from his business and literally live in
the open air. Try camping out said the doctor
That is just the life YOU need and we were dis
cussng the various advantages of different local.
ties when suddenly bright idea occurred to me-
and l made proposition.
"'Do you remember l said. the travelling pho
-oerapher who came 10 the hotel where we were
stopping last summer. and how we said what fun
a. must he 10 live like that with no responsibility
or appearances to keep up? The man had his wife
with him. the fitted up like the cabin of
a small boat. Why should We no; try something
Of the kind? We could buy second-class wagon
OF some kind. and good strong, steady cart-horse
The whole thing would not cost any more than
tent and would be much more amusing; ana
should think more healthful and drier. as II would
be lifted up from the ground.
THE proposition received with great favor
by my husband. and we forthwith began to make
our preparations a second-han van, which had
been used by a travelling Snowman for his family.
was purchased and. needless TO say completely
renovated. scraped. repainted and vanished. and
inside fittings provided. These were too funny.
and afforded end Of amusement
''In the back part, which could divide off
from the front by curtains we had our cooking
arrangements stove arranged something Ike
those in some OF the old-fashioned streetcars.
gether with shelves and hooks TO hold pans
and provisions. II is really astonishing how little
space these things require If properly adjusted and
you would have been amazed TO see how many
comforts we managed get into the remaining
space-our beds. which folded up and became
seats in the daytime; table which served an
eating table card table and writing desk
lamps which of course. were fixtures and hung
up; our clothes and house linen. kept IN a 1t
tie closet made under the driving seat; and, actu-
ally, rocking chair for me which took my fancy
more than anything else. for / never could weary
of the novelty OF the sensation Of sitting at a
window in a rocklng-chai without my hat and
quite al home. while was really In a wagon on
I'VE travelled in this fashion for six weeks and,
as ] say never had more delightful expert
my relief we attracted no attention whatever.
pedlers' vans being so common in our rural dis
we would sometimes stay several days there We
would take our wagon into some sequestered spot.
tether the horse and take our chance Of thieves.
by whom were never molested.
with the Introduction OF the bicycle. such a
trip might be made still more delightful, and
often wonder why house wagons should not De as
parlor-cars. II Is certainly far less costly and
just amusing. according to my way OF thinking -
SIZE SHED A TEAR FOR OLD WAIIACK'S
''Wallack's old theatre IL 10 be torn down see -
said business man. who discussing his break
fast and his newspaper together in the lesurely.
once-a-week fashion which seemed so luxurious
after the hurried weekday matutinal meals and
the scurry to get early TO the office.
you know" he continued. they have called II
the Star Theatre of late years" And then. sur
prsed eliciting response from his ever-ready
wife he looked up and his surprise that
her eyes were full of tears
Il know # is awfully silly she cried. half laugh
ing and rather ashamed. but IL did give a
regular pang to hear that the old place TO go.
II like hearing Of the loss OF ola friend Of
my youth. From my childhood up Wallack's has
makes me feel as II | belonged to the past myself 10
have these old landmarks go one by one. When
schoolgirl II seemed TO me the height of
bliss TO 10 Walacks for Saturday matinee.
and how enthusiastic used TO be about Mrs.
Hoey and her beautiful gowns! How We loved
Madeline HenriqueS and dear old John Gilbert,
And then when ! came out. what was more de-
lghtful than those jolly theatre parties al Wal
lacks, with the suppers afterward at Delmoncos s!
.Rosedale' played that winter. recollect and
saw II twenty times, but did not care, would
much rather go to Wallacks than TO see anything
new. And, Jim. dear. surely you remember. we
went there the night our engagement was an
nounced
1T your sisters party. and when went
back her house she kissed and said she was
pleased 10 hear the news. and felt so relieved.
for all your people smart, and / did not
know how they would take II.
"Ah. no. None OF the theatres nowadays are