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The Old Outhouse


Still in use by those remote from modern plumbing this original
'Necessary Room' served mankind's need for centuries before
water was harnessed. Many god and bad jokes and cartoons
derided it and its users. Today, it is the target of politic and
personal cartoons with little taste.

However, we owe much to a device of stunning practicality in
waste disposal within nature's rules. Built a safe distance from
a residence, its construction waited for the digging of a whole
in the ground of about six feet or so. Users seem to know then
the small wooden structure should be moved to another spot.

For the uninitiated, there was a one hollers and a two holler to
accommodate high traffic. And, of course, the Twp Seaters
required the moving of the tiny building more often which
called for digging a deeper pit. Too, an outhouse that had
two holes allowed 'Readers' a place for extra newspapers
or magazines just as today's leisurely visits to bathroom.

Describing a bit of history about this development in
human civilization may also help the old outhouse's
reputation as one of utmost importance. Ingenious was
that in putting together an outhouse there were always
enough small cracks in the walls for ventilation and
summer's cool breezes.


F William Brooome 2010