The House Read online

  The Works of Eugene Field

  Vol. VIII

  The Writings in Prose and Verse of Eugene Field

  THE HOUSE

  An Episode in the Lives of Reuben Baker, Astronomer, and of His WifeAlice

  [Frontispiece: The House. Drawn by E. H. Garrett.]

  Charles Scribner's SonsNew York1911

  Copyright, 1896, byJulia Sutherland Field.

  INTRODUCTION

  The story that is told in this volume is as surely an autobiography asif that announcement were a part of the title: and it also has thepeculiar and significant distinction of being in some sort thebiography of every man and woman who enters seriously upon the businessof life.

  In its pages is to be found the history of the heart's desire of allwho are disposed to take the partnership of man and woman seriously.The instinct--the desire--call it what you will--that is herein setforth with such gentle humor is as old as humanity, and all literaturethat contains germs of permanence teems with its influence. But neverbefore has it had so painstaking a biographer--so deft and subtle aninterpreter.

  We are told, alas! that the story of Alice and Reuben Baker wanted butone chapter to complete it when Eugene Field died. That chapter was tohave told how they reached the fulfilment of their heart's desire. Buteven here the unities are preserved. The chapter that is unwritten inthe book is also unwritten in the lives of perhaps the great majorityof men and women.

  The story that Mr. Field has told portrays his genius and his humor ina new light. We have seen him scattering the germs of his witbroadcast in the newspapers--we have seen him putting on the cap andbells, as it were, to lead old Horace through some modern paces--wehave heard him singing his tender lullabies to children--we have weptwith him over "Little Boy Blue," and all the rest of those quaintsongs--we have listened to his wonderful stories--but only in the storyof "The House" do we find his humor so gently turned, so deftly put,and so ripe for the purpose of literary expression. It lies deep here,and those who desire to enjoy it as it should be enjoyed must placetheir ears close to the heart of human nature. The wit and therollicking drollery that were but the surface indications of Mr.Field's genius have here given place to the ripe humor that lies asclose to tears as to laughter--the humor that is a part and a largepart of almost every piece of English literature that has outlived thehand that wrote it.

  JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.

  The Chapters in this Book

  I WE BUY A PLACE II OURSELVES AND OUR NEIGHBORS III WE MAKE OUR BARGAIN KNOWN IV THE FIRST PAYMENT V WE NEGOTIATE A MORTGAGE VI I AM BESOUGHT TO BUY THINGS VII OUR PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENTS VIII THE VANDALS BEGIN THEIR WORK IX NEIGHBOR MACLEOD'S THISTLE X COLONEL DOLLER'S GREAT IDEA XI I MAKE A STAND FOR MY RIGHTS XII I AM DECEIVED IN MR. WAX XIII EDITOR WOODSIT A TRUE FRIEND XIV THE VICTIM OF AN ORDINANCE XV THE QUESTION OF INSURANCE XVI NEIGHBOR ROBBINS' PLATYPUS XVII OUR DEVICES FOR ECONOMIZING XVIII I STATE MY VIEWS ON TAXATION XIX OTHER PEOPLE'S DOGS XX I ACQUIRE POISON AND EXPERIENCE XXI WITH PLUMBERS AND PAINTERS XXII THE BUTLER'S PANTRY XXIII ALICE'S NIGHT WATCHMAN XXIV DRIVEWAYS AND WALL PAPERS XXV AT LAST WE ENTER OUR HOUSE