HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 



3 2 9 



thing with the efficiency of their trades, 

 but, what is equally acceptable and in- 

 spiriting, manifested personal interest 

 in the work. 



The first to commence work was Mr. 

 William A. Hawks, who directed a 

 corps of skilled masons and laborers in 

 a manner that elicited emphatic words 

 of commendation, not only from the 

 management of the AA, but from visi- 

 tors and even from passers by who 

 from day to day watched the progress 

 of the work. Some of the cement work 

 cannot be excelled. We are truly, and 

 in more senses than one, tlianxs to Air. 

 Hawkes and his men, now on a firm 

 and enduring foundation. We shall do 

 well if our work shall be as well done 

 and as enduring as his. 



But the buildings as they were on 

 the old Arcadia site, with the land sold 

 to private owners, would have been a 

 serious misfit. Just at this crisis came 

 forward Mr. R. M. Anthony of Stam- 

 ford, with personal words of encour- 

 agement and with the assurance that 

 it was easily possible to move the 

 buildings, and to replace them safely 

 on new foundations. The contract was 

 at once awarded to him, and we are 

 deeply grateful for the efficient man- 

 ner in which he gave personal attention 

 to everything. "Bill," his foreman, be- 

 came a household word with us. When 

 anything was to be looked after, "Bill" 

 was on the spot to see that it was prop- 

 erly looked after. A more skillful piece 

 of work I have never seen, nor a more 

 cheerful compliance with every request. 

 The men with apparent ease, under 

 the instruction of "Bill," moved the 

 buildings a half inch in any direction 

 to make correct adjustments to one 

 another, or to the foundations. The 

 buildings fit the foundations, and have 

 been skillfully turned around and 

 brought over them with an accuracy 

 that is marvelous, arriving at their des- 

 tination and settling in place not a 

 quarter of an inch out of perfect ad- 

 justment. Let it be stated to the credit 

 of .Mr. Anthony, and of "Bill" and his 

 workmen, that in all the trials and 

 troubles of getting these buildings from 

 a situation difficult in many respects, 

 to their present location, there was 



never heard an ugly, impatient or in- 

 decent word, as is sometimes heard 

 among a gang of so-called ordinary 

 laborers. But these are not ordinary 

 laborers. They are patient, good-na- 

 tured, skilful gentlemen, each with his 

 heart in the right place. If any Arca- 

 dians were inclined to be despondent 

 or discouraged at the trend of affairs, 

 it was sufficient to go out and watch 

 "Bill" and his troup for a few minutes. 

 Their overflowing good-nature was as 

 inspiring as a burst of sunshine 

 through a dark and clouded sky. Long 

 may live "Bill" and his well adjusted 

 "gang." We can amend the old col- 

 lege song, "We're here because we're 

 here," and sing, We're here because of 

 "Bill" and his cheerful men. 



Next came Air. Charles H. Knapp, 

 the master plumber. He not only sup- 

 plied a corps of men at net cost, but 

 contributed liberally to the AA. It is 

 probable that, even within the memory 

 of the oldest inhabitants, there has not 

 been any winter that could more se- 

 verely test water pipes and heating 

 pipes than this winter has tested them. 

 In the coldest weather we have been 

 able to heat the buildings comforta- 

 bly, and the water pipes have stood the 

 test in a remarkably efficient manner. 

 When we take into consideration that 

 the plumbing in many houses in Sound 

 Beach and vicinity did not stand the 

 test of the cold weather, either in heat- 

 ing or in the regular flow of water, we 

 are deeply grateful to Mr. Knapp for 

 doing the work at the new Arcadia in 

 so substantial and efficient a manner. 

 We are so pleased with the good work- 

 manship, especially as shown in the 

 cellar of the AA Home, that we fre- 

 quently take visitors there to show 

 them this ideal heating arrangement. 

 It is neat and effective and the work- 

 manship cannot be excelled. In gen- 

 eral arrangement and action it far sur- 

 passes the apparatus at the old Arca- 

 dia. AM' cannot see how it could be 

 better than it is. 



The skilled carpenters, under the di- 

 rection of Contractor J. C. P.rundage, 

 have put the woodwork in good shape. 

 A wooden half story, three feet six 

 inches high, has been built under the 



