The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-04-18
THE
HOUSE
THAT JACK
BUILT
(SS by ID. ]. Walsh.)

~ from Der home for many
IN months. Her precious little
"Sun-Trap" was a veritable
haven of rest after the noisy city.
But one morning she was awakened
by loud "Clang! Chink! Tang!"
Whatever could It be? Surely no
sound save the song of birds should
ever be allowed to break the stiffness
of golden morning like this, and yet
the clink of metal. the ringing of tools
brought an odd CONSERVATION to Ruth's
heart.
Suddenly she sprang out of bed.
There was heavy knocking of nails
and wood carpentering. What could
ii mean?
Drawing aside the curtains with
hand that trembled with apprehension,
Ruth's eyes were suddenly blinded by
a mist of tears.
"Oh, it just can't be! Builders!
Houses right opposite. How dare
they?"
After dressing, Ruth went down.
stairs and out to the front yard. A
young man. busy with his motor cycle
beside the wall, raised his hat when he
saw her.
Pardon me-" began Ruth, rather
fiercely, ''but what does this all mean?
] mean this building opposite my
homer"
1.-The Happy Homes do not meet
with your approval, then"
Approval? Their presence is an
outrage in this glorious spot. They
are hideously alike, and alike in be-
ing hideous. Mine has been dream
house of peace and beauty-and
now"
Pardon me, but you have reveled
in its peace and beauty so complete
ly-for yourself" he said quietly. that
you have forgotten the teeming hun
dred of every city who have to live in
two rooms-or even one. You call
your house 'Sun-Trap,' see, but what
about the children who are robbed of
their rightful heritage-sunshine and
fresh ARP
"WhO are you?" demanded Ruth.
He shrugged his shoulders and his
blue eyes met hers steadily.
Does that matter? | realize that
there is no more pressing problem to-
day than finding houses to live in
The Happy Homes are just a small
attempt to solve this problem for a
few homeless people"
Tho mon roicad hiS hot op6 uyoS off
Ruth's housekeeper told her what she
knew of the man who was said to be
putting up the houses. His name was
Jack Reed and his name "big" in the
building world.
But gone for Ruth was the perfect
Joy of her glorious little garden; gone
was the keen enjoyment of the house
which she had made picture Of per-
lection within and without
But one day she thought that after
all the man at the gate had spoken
the truth. The very truth of his in
dictment against her selfshness had
stabbed her to the quick.
Several times during the weeks that
followed. Ruth heard the starting ami
stopping of a motor cycle. She could
not forget that man.
The first tenant to arrive was a
young man with golden-haired wife
whose happy eyes shone brightly. A
few weeks later there was a baby's
cry in the new house-the gift which
had come to complete the Joy of the
young couples home.
II was a day of sweltering heat and
Ruth looked at the few wilted plants
the young husband had found time to
plant in the bare garden, then at her
own rows and rows of bright blooms.
Almost before she knew it she was
cutting the finest of the roses, till her
basket was full to overlooking. Ruth
carried her offering across the road,
murmured a kindly message for the
young mother and hurried home before
she realized what she had done.
Somehow after that the new houses
did not seem the eyesores they had
been before. She often saw the man
on the motor cycle, too.
Two weeks later the golden-haired
mother came over to thank Ruth for
the lovely flowers she had sent.
Ruth laughed softly and said: 81
am afraid | have been very selfish in
the enjoyment Of my garden. | am
just beginning to wonder whether !
have not missed the very best in life
after ALL"
.'Wnll, never knew what real hap
piness was till my husband, and now
my baby, came into my life" said the
young wife. "We were obliged to live
in furnished rooms for year after
we were married and were so cramped
and the people did not like chill