A Tale Of Two Houses

Away back in the eafly dayfe of this city, when Ann Arbor was but a hamlet ; when Michigan was not yet a state, there was erected upon one of our principal streets a dwelling. Nothtag very remarkable in that fact perhaps, but in succeeding history there may be. This house was erected by a man who in those early days was considered wealthy. Ifwas im the prevailing style of architecture of the period : squar;, roomy, and witth, a sort of good, whioiesome hospiitality in all l'ts appointments. The sty.isu buildings of that day were all stuccoed and made to represent upon the outside, foloeks of grey stone. This was likewise. Generous were tl;e tiimbers that went toto its constructiion ; solid were its walls, honest was its workmanslüp in every particular, so that to this day it stands without a, crack or flaw, a perfect structure. Froiu the time of its [irst oceupamcy to the time of this writing it lias been a happy home for., some famity, though having passed t hrough severa! hands. ' For some years after its erection it wa-s noted as beiug the iinest ividence in the west. IVee handed hospitality reigned within its walls; great social events took j)lace there; senators, governors, judges, membcis of congress, and statesmen of the period, were familiar figures withiu lts joyous preciocte. As time advaneed, and the great west commenced to develop, other places and other families divided up the social functions wilth tbis charmiag family, and this home became less frequented. But fortune has seemed to favor the place from the flrst, and in its changes ilt has always been the home of happy families, 'as It is to-day. Hospitality, though perhaps not so lavifeh as it was at fiirst, has always been ehaiacteritic of its occupaaife. Some years than the date with which our tale begins, after Anu Arbor commenced to be iamous over all the world, anotlier ïiflie residence arose upon a beautlfullot adjoimingthe one of which we speak. ïhis new structure was erected durilng the time that the rage for Frenen architecture was at its height . It was an elegant pile. It had the aristocratie air that one recognizes at a glance. But eome way its history was mot to be the hdlstory of the good old home next door. lts owner struggled along for a time ; discord entered the home ; there was a dlsagreement and a parting, and the elegant house was closed. ' Then after a time, it passed into other hands. History repeated itself. Again a change was made. Again there wasa sad repetition of former evente. And there it stands to-day, beautiiful to look upon, kept up with scrupulous neatness ; a thing to please the eye ; but chili the heart. No joyous sounds are heard echoing withItn its halls ; no hand dispenses geneous hospitality there ; no prattling chüd ever crosses its threshhold ; few ever euter ite portáis, and none to chase away the gtoom of the dread silence that tías alone held undisputed sway ïor all these years. And there they stand, side by. side, these two homes. One old1 fashioned but Inviting, the other new fashioned but ferbiding ; one the embodiment Of ïl happy home with an air of hospitality, fairly beaming at you as you pass ; the other cold, eilent, cheerless, Ireezing you with ite stare. And Bad to say, these two Ann Arbor resiüences are but prototypes of many lives.