48 THE FAT OF THE LAND 
furnished, and heated, but not painted or papered, 
would cost $2630. Painting, papering, window- 
shades, and odds and ends cost $275, making a 
total of $2905. It proved a good investment, for 
it was a comfortable and convenient home for 
the men and women who afterward occupied it. 
It has certainly been appreciated by its occu- 
pants, and few have left it without regret. We 
have always tried to make it an object lesson of 
cleanliness and cheerfulness, and I don’t think a 
man has lived in it for six months without being 
bettered. It seemed a good deal of money to 
put on an old farm-house for farm-hands, but 
it proved one of the best investments at Four 
Oaks, for it kept the men contented and cheerful 
workers. 
