So also with Sam Brierly's Gothic portico.

Sam expended much time and ingenuity in constructing the portico, and it was built on to the street end of the schoolhouse, although there was no door there, the only entrance being at the back.
The building was opened with a tea-fight and a dance, and answered its purpose very well up to the time of the first heavy rains; then studies had to be postponed indefinitely, for the floor was a foot under water.

A call was made upon the united strength of the township, and the building was lifted bodily and set down again on piles.

When the open space between the ground and the floor was boarded up, the residents were delighted to find that the increased height had given the structure quite an imposing appearance.

Alas! before six months had passed the place was found to be going over on one side.