The Newtown bee., 1902-04-11

right is the village sun-dial, and with
a gentle ascent we come upon the
quaint old-fashioned Episcopal church.
Just before reaching this point the
southern end of the village is not
visible, the view beyond being shut
out by a rocky knoll grown over with
young saplings and some magnificent
frs. Rounding this point we come up
on the village store and postot11ce.
The Judge of Probate and Justice of
the Peace occupies the neAti building.
Next to his office is the district school
house, and beyond that the Congrega-
tional church, the scene Of the final
concerts. Opposite the schoolhouse
on the left side of the road is the pref
ty Town hall where many Of the pub
lie concerts, lectures, and recitals of
the Summer school are held. Beyond
the Congregational church the road
forks, the direction to the right lead
ing to the station, beautiful drive of
a mile, and that to the left continuing
still in the village. 1t is but a short
distance to the first of the three places
devoted to the uses of the school,
known as the "Summer House." This
interesting old house was built before
the Revolution. Here is one of the
Studios and here also some of the
pupils have their rooms. Back OF the
house is large field where tennis
court will be found and from it beau
tiful views of the surrounding hills.
The next house but one beyond is
the "homestead, considerably re-
modelled old house with gable end to
the road. Here are parlors, dining
rooms, another mushroom and quar-
tiers for Mr. Greene and his family and
for many of the pupils. The lawn I'M
der the big spreading trees is general
rendezvous at all hours of the day.
Opposite the Homestead" graced
by a little lawn dotted with bushes of
roses, syringa. Towering ounce and
phlox is the "Back-Log." This is low
spreading building, the outlines of
which are picturesque and artistic to
a very high degree. 1t seems to have
grown up just where it is, it is SO
gracefully in accord with nature. 1t
was once a tavern in days long gone.
Even the Oldest inhabitants do not re-
member it's building. The manner of
it's construction would be amusing in
the eyes of modern architects. The
house is built around huge chimney
of such ample proportions that one
| fireplace which was probably intend
ed to open into the dining and living
room of the old tavern can accommo-
date at least a dozen people standing in
it. One evening toward the end of the
season when the nights were cool with
the touch of the coming autumn the
pupils and their friends gathered in
this room around a glorious fire which
roared and streamed up the immense
chimney. 1t was not long before it
both looked and felt like Meshech
furnace.
In this house one of the teachers
| and a number of the students have
their rooms and here also is a studio
ION a line with the "Back-Log" ant
a little to the north is the "Opers
House," so named in a facetious MOOD
by one of the townspeople How little
it looks like the real thing. Yet il
contains pretty stage and makes {
pleasant room for practice. 1t is the
scene of many delightful musicals anc
also less serious occurrences, pronounc
ed by the younger set as ''jOlly" occa
sions. 1t is here that Miss Jennie
Purves conducted her sight-singins
class of 20 every Saturday afternoon
giving splendid practical illustrations
OF the methods used by Franz
DamrOsch's assistants in thu
public schools of New York City
One of the pleasantest evening"
Of the summer was passed herr
when Allen Smith gave his exhibition
Of photographs taken of the mos
beautiful views and places in the coun
try round.
This calls to mind the drives. The,
are beautiful. In every direction on
can go for miles along the most en-
trancing roads, getting glimpses of ma
ture in her loveliest moments AM
moods such as would delight an artist
soul. Off to the East is the HOusa
tonic river, three miles by road, tw
straight across country. This is on