Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-03-15

brightness and their sweetness upon
the home.
The library and the parlOr opened
into the hall opposite the main en-
trance, as well as on to the wide ve-
randa on the south front of the build
ing. In keeping with the other rooms
of the house they are large and bright
Iy lighted. Yet Notwithstanding the
stately proportions of the rooms, there
is everywhere spirit Of the most coy
homeliksness-the all-pervading in
Auence of the genial personality of
Mr.. Stockton and his wife.
Next to the library, on the right,
and separated from it by curtained
doorway, is Mr.. Stockton's study.
This room is the most attractive fea-
ture of the house. Its unusual size,
its sunny brightness, its beautiful out
look, its tasteful appointments, and,
above all, its special association with
the noted writer, all conspire to give
to it a special charm. At each end
of the room is large open fireplace,
with huge logs piled upon the and
irons ready to add their latent glow
to the sunshine that steals through
the curtained windows on three sides
of the study; for the room covers the
entire width Of the house, atlording
an outlook upon one Of the courtyards
with its garden of hollyhocks, and
upon the woods on one side and the
lawns and meadows on the others.
Mr.. Stockton's desk stands near
large double window looking out on
the wooded lawn at the north front
of the house. 1t is here that he writes
his stories. 1t is his unvarying custom
to dictate them.
He devotes the morning hours to
bis literary work. His niece assists
him by acting as his amanuensis. He
always composes aloud, and as he
talks she takes down his words in
shorthand and afterwards transcribes
them on the typewriter.
A feature Of interest in the study
is Mr.. Stockton's collection of his
works, comprising not merely all of
the books he has written, but copy
of each different edition of every book.
There are about hundred and twen-
five volumes in this interesting collec-
ton, which includes eleven different
English and American editions, and
one German edition of his "Ruddsr
Grange, which is evidently his most
popular book.
Below the main floor is an exten-
sive basement containing many rooms,
most of which are devoted to domes-
tic purposes. But here also, under
the study and connected with it by a
small fight of stairs, is Mr.. Stockton s
ofice-"in which l may attend to the
business of selling potatoes and tur-
nips if I have more than | want,
he states in explanation. "And while
we are in the basement" he continues,
Il must show you the Cell Of the
Sunken Sideboard. Forthwith he
unlocks and opens a narrow door lead
ing into little room. 1t is foot or
two below the level Of the basement,
and there are no windows nor open
ing of any sort save the small door
way.
Occupying nearly the whole space
of this room is an enormous sideboard
of most elaborate workmanship. 1t
is many times larger than the door
vav and thus il remains imprisoned
ia its dark cell. Many years ago 1t
was brought to the house, placed in
the basement and deliberately walled
up with brick, thereby preventing the
possibility Of ever moving it without
destroying its mysterious sepulchre.
One Of the peculiarities of the con-
struction Of the house Ia the style Of
| its doors. With one or two exceptions
the doors throughout the house are
all made to slide into the wall. They
do not swing on hinges. By this ar
rangsment they take up no room
whatever, they are never in the way
"a great adyantage-and in summer
time allow wids-open passages for the
circulation Of air.
A broad veranda, ninety feet in
length, extends along the south front
of the house, both on the first and Sec
ond floors, with graceful wistaria vines
clinging about its white pillars. 4
fight of broad steps leads down from
the lower ysranda on to beautiful
lawn, unbroken by road OF path of