Evening star., 1938-08-09

gone to the well-known resorts near
IDENTIFY done the same, stayed awhile
and left their debris behind them, for
the place was Uttered with all kinds
of junk.
THERE were three rooms, each about
IL by Is feet; two large porches
and storage closet. The kitchen had
three windows, the other two rooms
narrow tongue-and-groove siding ex-
cellently fitted. It had been salvaged
from . schooner that came up on the
shore. The floors were heavy oak
from the same schooner. The whole
was water tight, wind tight and struc-
turally good. could see nothing that
a couple Of coats Of paint would not
make presentable.
There was drinking water in . 500
gallon tank across the road at the
Coast Guard station. There was
household water just : feet under
ground, and all we would need would
be pump and line Of pipe to get 1t.
The beach was Uttered with driftwood,
which would solve the heating and
cooking problem. Ice, milk and gro
ceries were 8 miles away, with 5 OF
that q sand road, but the ocean was
clear blue-green as far as could see,
GOLDEN sand stretched for miles with
out . footprint on it-no sign OF life
except hundreds Of all kinds Of shore
and marsh birds; no sign Of habitation
except black-and-white striped light
house miles away, q silent, useful
and welcome neighbor.
Listening that afternoon to the fish,
erman talk. I found out that just
below my shack was the finest surf
fishing on the East Coast. That the
banks of shore had channel bass and
bluefish, the inland sound crabs. CLAIMS
and trout. The little town 3 miles
away had a grade A dairy and two or
three grocery stores. The surrounding
country produced fruit and vegetables
at very low prices.
I began to think I had found what
we wanted I went back to report
not quite sure that the family would
be able to stand the shock, but they
reacted very we'll. The owner OF the
shack. evidently thinking $25 had
scared me of, wrote me letter Offer
ing it for $40. I Immediately sent him
the $40 and have received permission
from the owner of the land to keep the
house there indefinitely.
before we arrived we had the
~ house painted throughout 4 light
sand color which makes it look twice
as big. The floors are q warm brick
color. The chimney opening was
changed from the living room to the
kitchen and q tiny wood stove with an
oven, which cost $l2 was installed.
Both porches were screened and the
roof newly tarred. The pump was
installed on the kitchen porch.
We shipped down from Washington
an old ice chest which I bought for
u puSACO Aull VI OldlACLS dAu NNA
linen Also a bunch of folding cam
vas chairs. We put up shelves in the
kitchen and built in tables and benches
Our beds are army cots-the north
room is the children's dormitory with
four cots, and an orange crate with .
mirror above 1t for q dresser Shelves
against the wall make desks or work
tables for them.
The living room serves as sleeping
quarters also, with cots serving as
couches by day. The wall decorations
are Coast and Geodetic maps Of this
region. Instead of shades at the win
dow we have unbleached muslin cur
tains on rings which slide easily. Pull
man curtains divide the sleeping end
Of the room at night.
We dine on the kitchen porch where
the breeze is always delightful 1T
table that drops down from the wall
on hinges. II there is . gale blowing
the other porch Is sheltered and We
eat, buffet style, in reclining chairs and
hammocks.
HOUSEWORK takes about 30 min
= utes in the morning. Every one
has their own job. Husband and 10
year-old son furnish the wood for the
stove. keep the water pals filled and
dig the refuse pits. The 8-year-old
daughter takes complete charge Of
both porches, picking up. sweeping and
providing us with new clam shell ash
trays. Even the 4-year-old indulges
her passion for getting wet-by wash
ing the bathing suits under the
pump and putting away the beach
shoes. The maid does the food and
the kitchen and I do the other rooms
and the planning.
I know there is much more that
could be done to the house, and many
Improvements that could be made, but
the place is adequate and we have all
the rest Of the time left for fun. The
initial cost and the carpenters bill
and supplies have cost no more than
our usual month at the beach. We
have our shack for all time and We
nave just what we wanted.
The children have learned some.
thing about living on what the coun-
try provides. They have found out
that wonderful feeling Of being dry.
snug and warm when . storm RACES
beyond the wall, and that the smallest
shack gives them as much AZ the
strongest castle; clothes here are worn
Tor protection from sun, wind and rain
mot to show OF in; and money is 4
commodity useful for gasoline, ice and
bait, but nickels have = way Of hang.
Ing around unspent for an amazing
length Of time.
I am afraid this has been verv
lengthy. 1t all seems quite important
to me, probably because found It
when no one thought it was possible.
If you think it might interest others
do pass 1t on to them.