A Strange Dwelling

STRANGE DWELLING. EDWARD WILLIAM DUTCHER.

I have in mind to build a house. I have not yet concluded when to lay the foundation, but when I do it will be unique and unlike any house ever yet constructed, as far as I know, and I do not believe there is such a house in existence today. Possibly no one has ever before thought of such a dwelling. The difference between the contemplated structure and the houses we now occupy is this: Every stone in the foundation will be dressed and polished on all sides, even if but one side is to be seen, or if the stones are

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entirely hidden from view. The cellar wall will be just as perfect on the back side as the face. The posts, joists and all the material which will be hidden in the construction of the dwelling must be planed and dressed smooth on all sides and painted full coats like the exterior. The under side of the floors, the back of the wainscoting, the rafters and all parts that are enclosed in dark and unseen places shall be finished a3 perfectly as the elegant and costly front doors. The same with the furnishings. All the unseen parts of the furniture must be polished and finished as near perfection as the art and skill of man can conceive. All the walks leading from the house shall be as finely finished, the under side as well as the upper. My idea is to have it as near perfection as possible — as nature would have it. The rose is so without and within, even though it blooms a thousand miles from human sight. So with everything that grows. There is no sham in the hollyhock or the lily.These shall be my teachers. Maybe no one will ever know of this but the builders and myself. Will this be a waste of time and money? I think not. When I entertain my friends I shall have the satisfaction of knowing that it is not a make-believe house, but a truth in every way. This is the way our character should be built up, and I think it will be wise to buildeverything that goes to make our lives of some use to others about us, on the same principle. Let us be real and true even when shut out from the sight of the world. Hiding a fault does not destroy it.