Evening star., 1901-07-13
WHEN PAPA STAYS HOME
A BACK YARD TRANSFORMATION
For HIS PLAYGROUND.
The Wonders Wrought by One Clever
Family to Make Head of the
House Happy.
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
If this worlds goods had been bestowed
in equal portions. there had been no need
for some unfortunates to toll at home
while others. arrayed in purple and fine
linen. at fashionable resorts. make of sum-
mer but one long butterfly frolic.
1t is claimed that if we are good we shall
be happy. but with the thermometer SIM
mering at 90 in the shade it Is difficult to
keep the soul In that state of calm, we'll
regulated repose which is supposed to be
the badge of saintship.
1t Is all very we'll for philosophers to ad
wise US that a placid acceptance of circum-
stances will minister to our physical well
being. 1t is difficult to listen to the prompt
ngs of philosophy located amid such un-
congenial surroundings as brick walls and
back yard fences and enlivened by no more
soothing music than the nocturnes of home
less cats.
In every large city there are hundreds Of
people whom circumstances compel to re-
main at home, no matter how much they
may need desire a summer vacation.
Very few business men can afford to leave
the city for very long, and it is the COM
fort of the head of the household, upon
whom the entire family is dependent for
its prosperity. that should be considered
before plans are made for seaside or noun
tain outings. The American man Is in
clned to be generous to his family at the
eXpences of his own welfare. This is as
shortsghted a policy it would be for
the owner of a thoroughbred to sacrifice
his horse to win single unimpOrtant race.
A Dream of Delight
All families are not selfshly thoughtess.
At least family made last summer a
dream of delight to the tired men who
worked all day in dark, close offices for
their dainty wOmankind.
"a l.,
the rear. 1t was not very well kept and
had been hopelessly given over to the
nightly revels of the neighborhood cats un-
til the inventive girl declared that she
would remain at home that summer to
take care of dad and the boys instead
of going away to escape the hot weather.
Her mother declared that she would stay
with her. and the two put their heads to-
Sether to evolve plan for making bear
able the long, hot evenings which are as
every one knows. the most trying part of
the summer to the town bound.
With the assistance of a man who could
be hired in the neighborhood the yard was
cleared of boxes and empty tin cans The
ground was paved and, as it was thus inn
possible for them to sod it's surface, a
load of bark was bought at a tannery and
the pavement was covered with it. The
wall of the house was terraced with
shelves, thickly set with potted plants and
flowers. while along the sides of the fence
vines of rapid growth were trained to cover
the unsightly wood. Stands made to sup
port Hover pots were placed in hooks and
angles, and hanging baskets were skill
fully suspended in the air.
The Final Touches
AS to the furnishings Of the yard, they
Included hammock, rustic settee a cou-
pie of rustic chairs, a wood and wicker
lounging chair piled with soft, bright cush-
ions, portable summer house a rustic
table, an adjustable awning for sunny DAYS
an electric fan for sultry afternoons and
evenings and brilliant collection of lana
neSe lanterns The entrance to this de-
lightful place was through a rustic arch
oVerrun by nasturtiumS and madeira vine
Facing the house. the arch bore a charm
ing Inscription done in gold lettering on a
white ground. 1t had been prepared at
the printers on white cardboard and was
carefully inclosed in glass, a strip of tin
Iol along the edges safely protecting 1t
from the weather. These were the words
upon the card:
Let no rash hand invade these sacred bowers
!rreverent pluck the fruit touch the flowers
Fragrance and beauty here their charms combine
And cen Hesperia's garden yields to mine;
For though no golden apples glitter round
A dragon yet more furious guards the ground
Good Time and Soft Drinks,
The only dragon that ever infested the
garden was Watch, a fat though lively
fox terrier, who strenuously objected to the
intrusion of strangers who approached the
gate, most of them unsuspecting peddlers
or knights Of the road soliciting trade or
food. Watch needed a course of training to
make him understand that he was not per
mitted to entertain himself by knocking
down the flower pots or chewing the pii-
SoWs during his lonely hours of vigil
In the evening when the men of the fam
lily came home they almost Immediately
made bee line for the garden, taking
with them books, papers and pipes. They
We're encouraged to invite their male
frie nds to call, and a bowl of ice cold lem
onade and some nice cakes were always to
be found inside the house for the refresh
ment OF thirsty mortals. A game of euchre
or whist played about the rustic table en-
liNened the evenings and when it grew
dark the japanese lanterns cast a pleasant
l.snt over the scene The summer garden
ana It's delights became SO well advertised
tnat the social acquaintances of the family
Wed with each other for invitations to the
little informal parties hold among the
flower pots. EDITH LAWRFNcE,