Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-01

NTAETERLINCK, the great mystic
INl symbolized Happiness" in great
drama called the "Blue Bird" Mrs. Al
bert Read never heard of Maeterlinck nor
his great drama, but she, nevertheless
knows all about the thing which the re-
nowned writer chose as his theme
In fact, she knows so much about IL
that she is willing to give one n Few point
ers on the subject, one OF them DelnB
that neither luxury nor all the home com
forts are necessary to its pursuit ana con-
quest.
Mrs Read is as happy as the proVerblal
lark. She and her husband and two chill
dren, isis" and sonny" constitute
family of four who live the year round
in a tiny little 6i7 by 12k foot cabin on
the stern end of the Delaware River barge
Harry.
There is a shadow about to fall across
their sunny path, however, for they must
give UP their river life next week so that
"Sonny" may become a scholar. sonny
whose real name is ALBERT, Jr.," has at
tained the significant age of years, and
even though he knows that "schoolin' has
just got to be" so that the country may
continue to have Presidents and great
men, he despises the idea of being shut
up like n prisoner in a classroom.
stufhng a quivering chin as far into his
chest as an elasticless spinal column
would permit. Sonny isn't openly mu-
tinous: such conduct is taboo with Mrs
Reads children.
LIKE MOTHER LIKE SONNY.
However. to use the present-day ver-
| nacular, Albert, Jr, hasn't a thing on
his mother when il comes to real neart
misery at having to leave their tiny
one-room home. 81 just hate to go
ashore" she said. displaying row OF
| fine, white teeth as she smiled bravely,
and her brown eyes danced at the
memory of the happy river life of the
| last two years.
IT love 1t on the boat, specially when
we summers down at the breakwater.
| It's Just been grand the last couple of
years living on board. Oh, l just love
| IT, Didn't /, Al?" che queried in girlish
| enthusiasm of her better half as he
poSed sunburned, beaming countenance
| in the door of the cabin with smile
which rippled outward like a lake when
a stone Is thrown in.
You sure do" he returned promptly
with more ripples and knowing shake
of the head, as their eyes met in mutual
understanding and affection.
The river barge Harry is one of the
many lighters plying the Delaware and
which moors at Pier No. l, Delaware
, avenue. 1t is at present one Of the few
| boats with women aboard. The cabin
on the stern end of the boat is minia-
| ture affair, indeed, to be the home OF 0
family of four. Yet Mrs. Read says II
| is all that is necessary for their com
plete happiness.
LIFE ON THE WATER.
when we first came aboard there were
two hunks, one upper, one lower. We
| didn't like that on account of the children
so we had them taken out and had this
cot bed put in. Underneath there is an
other cot for the children that we pull
out when night comes. Oh, yes, 1t nearly
fills the whole room, but we got to do 1t. y
'How do / get 1t past the table?" she
repeated. "Oh; just let the table down
which statement was accompanied by an
all-wise smile, as she swung back the
under arm supporting the dining board
and let it flop ka-smack against the wall
"And here's where we keep our dishes
Al built that in himself" she said, open.
ing a small cupboard the size of a regu.
lation medicine closet and displaying
some substantial-looking articles.
Where on earth do you keep YOU
clothes?" was asked.
I'm here" she replied, promptly plac
ing her hand on a tall, slim wooden ar
rangement the size OF a grandfather
clock. Then I keep most of the chill
dren's clothes in here" and she pointed
TO a small box that looked like home
made ice chest.
eve don't use the coal stove in tn,
summer time. you see," she continued
nodding toward the corner at the left o.