124 INTERIOR OF HOUSE. 



from floor to roof divides both stories into two rooms each, the 

 largest of which is about square, and the smallest one half the 

 size of the large one. Windows are few and far between ; the 

 upper story usually with one at each end or with none at all as 

 the case maybe, — which case is usually governed by the money or 

 time at the disposal of the builder at the time of building — and 

 are always with the smallest kind of glasses and sashes possible to 

 admit any light ; the lower story usually has from two to four on 

 its sides, rarely any on its ends. The doors are usually three in 

 number, one upstairs and one downstairs in the partitions (these 

 are more often doorless openings), and the outside one of all; 

 they all resemble that of the store house before mentioned, at 

 least in one sure respect if in no other, namely, that they press 

 with difficulty upon the hinges and squeak horribly when the 

 process of opening and shutting, which happens so many times 

 in the course of twenty-four hours, occurs. The upper story is 

 reached from below by a narrow pair of stairs, or a ladder, leading 

 through an opening in one corner of the room, it is safe to say 

 three feet square or even less, and it requires a good deal of 

 practice to perfect one's self in the art of ascending and descending 

 safely. In the construction of the house the building materials 

 used everywhere are rude or good as the tenant can afford ; the 

 outside is clapboarded or shingled, and there is no cellar, except a 

 rough hole scooped out underground and lined with hay and coarse 

 grass, and boughs perhaps ; with a cover cut from the bottom of 

 the floor. The furniture consists of a large and ample stove (two 

 storied like the house) with a baking oven running its entire length 

 above, the stovepipe ascending straight upward, forming its own 

 chimney outside of the roof; the height of the stove being some 

 four feet above its legs which raise it some eight inches from the 

 bottom of the floor. It is placed between the two partitions and 

 nearly in the centre of the room ; for its accommodation a large 

 piece of the partition is cut wholly away so that the warmth will 

 heat both rooms equally. 



Besides these the tables are all home made, and of proper 



