37 2 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
May, 1914 
The dining-room is equipped with one of the delicate-legged, folding tables of Colonial times 
and the graceful rush-seated chairs of simple lines 
gardens the most admired of all. When the Craftsman bought 
it the burdocks in the yard were like young trees (the well was 
hidden by them completely), the matrimony vine ran all over the 
steps and in and out of the blinds. It had even worked its way 
through the clapboards into the cellar. (It is hard to kill a matri¬ 
mony vine, it seems.) The lilac bushes were strong, large and 
beautiful after a little trimming; the locust trees and elderberry 
bushes were really flourishing, and a few of the orchard trees 
still bearing. 
In the border along the fence there were snowberry and syr- 
inga bushes, wild gooseberry and flowering currants. Lilies of 
the valley, blue bells and tulips were found in the little garden in 
front of the house, and not far away were corn lilies and Bounc¬ 
ing Bet, as thrifty as ever. One could not understand how these 
things had survived in the midst of the tangle of weeds. Is there 
anything more pathetic than an abandoned garden? Houses re¬ 
cuperate so much more quickly. 
After considerable clipping and trimming, digging and grub¬ 
bing, old trees took on new life; paths were once more estab¬ 
lished ; the little cobblestone walk leading from the gate to the 
front door was uncovered (it had been entirely over¬ 
grown) ; and everything seemed to respond with a sort 
of thank-you look for being rescued from such a choked 
condition. 
The “House Next Door” is of red brick and faces the 
east. On the north is a “wing,” which the Craftsman 
uses as a kitchen. The front door opens into a long 
hall, at the south of which is the living room, and at its 
end the dining room. South of the dining room is a 
small bedroom, and on the north the large kitchen, 
which has outside doors to the east and west. No 
changes were made in the arrangement of the rooms. 
There was enough to do in leveling floors, putting on 
plaster where it was needed, roofing the house anew, 
making chim- 
neys secure 
a n d rehang¬ 
ing and fit- 
t i n g doors. 
The fireplace 
had to be un¬ 
earthed, f or 
it had been 
bricked up and plas¬ 
tered over. It was a 
day of jubilee when it 
was finally in shape; a 
fire was built in it for 
the first time, and a 
safe and satisfactory 
flue was demonstrated. 
Paper had to be scraped 
ofif the walls, layer 
after layer. The people 
who had lived there 
evidently had scruples 
against removing any. 
It seemed an endless 
task, for the paste 
used by these early 
residents was no poor 
stuff. The cellar was 
in good condition, cool 
and sweet after a little cleaning; so also was the cistern. 
Window glass was broken everywhere, and even window 
frames were necessary. Outside steps had to be re¬ 
placed ; blinds were badly broken, and of course every¬ 
thing needed paint. 
After plasterers and carpenters had done their work, 
the Craftsman, with the help, of a young bov and one 
of the good neighbors, went to work at what appeared 
to us an impossibility. Think of getting an old, aban¬ 
doned house ready for occupancy in four short weeks; 
and more than that, it had to be ready, for guests were 
to arrive, and the house must be comfortable and at¬ 
tractive, too. Well! it was done. Those were busy 
days and busy people in “The House Next Door." 
The bees had been preparing for new tenants for a 
long while. They had discovered a little opening in the 
roof, and had been well established in the attic for many 
seasons, apparently. The supply of honey was great and 
the flavor of it the very best, as the Craftsman and his 
friends found. 
The woodwork throughout the entire house was 
painted white, the floors dark green. The living-room 
and hall were papered in a light corn yellow paper 
All the furniture is either mahogany or rosewood—some is delicate, some a trifle heavy, but with 
the rose-garlanded paper there is harmony resultant 
The pewter decorations, the touch of color in 
print and in soft-toned rugs show good grouping 
