The Banner-Democrat., 1901-12-14
RooF-DWELLsRs or NEW YORK.

RooF-oWELLsRs or NEW YORK.
Sosy Homes in the Top stories Of Mod
ern Once buildings
rercned high up in mid-air, atol
tne lofty ofiice buildings of the city
are little homes Us quiet ana seclude.
as thodgh they stood beside some
country lane, instead Of directly above
tnrobbing, hurrying, maddenins
broadway. Quaint little houses they
are. with ample door yards, many Of
which are filled with brightly colored
mower beds. To one who is hungry
Tor glimpse of country greenery
tney are as oases in the great stone
desert that constitutes the business
section of New York. These are the
dwellings Of the modern cliff men.
most of whom are the janitors and
superintendents of the great sky
scrapers. Several years ago some in
Ventive architect devised the plan
OF locating the caretakers and their
families ON the roofs of the buildings
| OF which they have charge. The
plan was so satisfactory in every re-
spect that 1t has been very general
~ followed. Within an area OF a
Few blocks in the down town district
dozens OF families are living thus
ABOVE the caves of the tallest build
ings In the world. They form a quaint
and interesting colony.
The little dwellings which form the
n0maS ho
lar cottages, quite separate and dis
tinct from the great structures on
which they are built. They are con.
structed of wood or brick. and they
nestle on the great skyscrapers like |
Swiss chalets on as many mountain |
peaks.
AT frst thought it might seem that |
the HE OF the roof dweller must be a |
lonely one. but he has his own d.
versions. and he enjoys many advan-
tages not to be obtained by other res
idents of the city. not even by the
wealthy householders of fashionable
fl1th avenue. Sunlight and fresh air
-tne nectar and ambrosia of city life
are enjoyed by the residents of the
FOOLS In unstinted quantities. They
are not crowded by their neighbors:
they enjoy delightful seclusion;
while at their feet is spread the vast
and ever-changing panorama of the
,ity and its glorious harbor.
from his aerial home the new cliff
nan can look down upon the streets
'elow, with their swarming crowds of l
What, from his lofty perch, look like r
currylng ants. He can see the ele-
'ated trains putting along. looking al.
most Ike toys. Around him rise the II
lVai sky-scrapers-modern towers of q
'aoeL pulsating with the hurrying Il
ne within. The great metropolis e.
tretches away to the northward. be- ly
ween Its confining rivers, as far as n
ne eye can reach. Here and there "
s uniformity is relieved by some ST
reat building looming high above its In
'llows. Southwark the harbor's al
road expanse. alive with craft of NJ
very sort, invites his eye. The roof "
wellers. too, can see the tremendous fe
'rces OF nature at work in their mag ia
ncence. When a summer thunder F,
orm sweeps the city they can OBJ Gu
rye the full beauty Of its display; th
% black clouds yelling the sky, the CO
eat curtain of rain walling out I'M
'erything around and the binding th
are OF lightning, with perhaps some co
Ige building outlined against 1t; or. wi
ain, they can watch the fog steal. mi
down to veil the city and harbor les
gray. tic
The enterprising housewife among me
ese denizens OF the roof is able to INF
lgnten her home with many de- VIC
htful features. She may have her
wer gardens, and even a little patch cit
vegetables reared in soil brought lit
m below. Trailing vines may be in
ined along the cottage walls, and mu
h shrubs and plants disposed about abl
borders of the roof 1t is possible vii
transform the whole into a charm Der
hanging garden. In the long sum- sto
evenings the tables can be moved stol
into the yard, and here the roof ula
oilers can sit and take tea amid sel'
coolness and quiet. Here, too. wo'
can entertain their less fortunate at
nds who are condemned to live in r.
ny flats or apartments. Ham. bile
ks may be swung to give added bull
lfort and pleasure to life, and avn. wer
put up in summer to keep the the
'e cool through the midday hours. sool
edger Monthly. was