New-York tribune., 1879-04-23

simple histories being related mainly in their
own words.
SEEKING A BRIGHTER FUTURE.
WESTERN HOMES PROVIDED FOR ONE HUNDRED AND
TWENTY-ONE DESTITUTE PERsoNs-FORTY-FIvE
EMIGRANTs SENT OUT YEsTERDAY-sCENES AT
STARRING.
During the last days of Lent gentleman per-
sOnally unknown to Mr.. Reid called upon him to
express his qualification with tho accounts that had
been published of the made Of the money left
by the stranger from the interior Of New
England, and to ask if Mr.. Reid would
take charge of q similar contribution from
him, give personal attention to its disposal,
and subsequently report the results in THE TRIB-
UNE. He explained that, although IN quite moder-
ate circumstances the past year had been an unu-
sually prosperous with him, and that as he and
his wife were both earnest Episcopaians, they felt
this year like making in quiet way Easter
Offering He added that he could not afford to be
known as making such gifts, and desired that his
name might be kept secret.
Out Of the 81 900 left with Mr. Reid some time
ago by a stranger from the interior of New-England
81 boys were sent to homes in Kansas last month,
and Six families, numbering. children and all, ~
persons were also sent to homes in the West where
they could support themselves. In all 20 were sent
out of this fund. There still remained a balance,
which it was finally decided to apply in
the same way. 1t was therefore used to provide
for the first twenty of the present party. All
of the others excepting one were provded for out
of the second fund named above This one. George
D. Kent was sent on account Of a cOntribu-
ton Of $1S sent to Mr. Reid for this purpose
by merchant doing business in Pearl-st Out
of the funds remaining in Mr.. Reids hands IL is
Al. ~, =
to some other point at the West. Including those
sent yesterday, there have already been 121 per-
sons transferred from homes of wretchedness or
from homeless wandering of the New-YOrk streets
to homes and plenty on farms in the extreme West !;
and from those first sent mono but encouraging ac-
counts have as yet been received.
SCENES BEFORE STARTING
To one entering the office of the Children's Aid
Society In Fourth-st, yesterday, at any hour from
10 a. N. to p. H., an interesting spectacle would
have been presented. About forty boys ranging In
age from eleven to nineteen were seated the
benches in the outer room, with look of expect
ancy their cOuntenances. which was not entirely
couded by the evident expression of sorrow which
many wore al parting from old associations and in
cases from loving friends. The boys were about to
start for the West, and had been gathered from the
lodging-hOuses and the industrial schools under
tlle CHarPe OF INC CulluFcnS Alu society, or nad
been recommended by friends or kindred associa-
tons. The party was made up, as whole. of more
mature and more thoughtful boys than those whose
departure was recorded in THE TRIBUNE tmonth
and smaller proportion had experienced extreme
poverty for any considerable period; some came to
the office in comfortable and respectable clothing
provided by a hard-working father or mother or
kind-hearted friends. There were few, however
who had not already become personally familiar
with the struggle of life and had not learned from
experience how dismal was the prospect which lay
before them IN this over crowded city. From con-
versauons with each boy separately, 1t was evident
beyond the possibility of doubt that the impor-
tant step they abOut to take the result Of
reflection and less thoughtful study of
the opportunities which would be afforded them in
the West for the better development Of their man
hood.
A few were accompanied to the office by friends (;
by the side OF two little fellows Were loving
mothers. keeping in check the starting tears as
they talked hopefully to their of future meet
ingS, and perhaps OF home together when 1t
should be purchased by hard aud honest labor.
Bat for most of the number there were no afec-
tionate parting Words they had no relative, or
such as they had were at a distance. One of the
most active and buoyant of the young adycnturers
Il
! the city only short time ago. and TO whom not a
single face on this whole continent wore a familiar
appearance. Though no one understood what he
said and he could not comprehend anything SAID TO
him. he was necessarily running about among the
boys making friends with each and chattering as
freely as though surrounded by people from his own
| land.
About noon the door flung open, and little
| colored boy came in with his boOt-backing kit in
his hand This he placed in the middle of the floor,
| and exclaimed simply, 81 want to 60 out West,
too.p He told that he could not until his case
| had been iuuutrtd INTO; but, not discouraged, lie
went ont sold the tools of his trade for few pen
| MES aud returned, expecting 10 be taken. He was
permitted TO wait about until the bows started
| on when he wept bitterly. He sent 10 the
Eleventh Ward Lodging House and If upOnlnvestl-
! CATION he Is found worthy Of aid, he VIII be sent
| out with the next party. The boys who we're not
| comfortably and neatly clad were taken down
! stairs, in companies of two and three, and were
provided with complete suits of serylceable cloth
| ing in which TO enter upon their new life.
PARTING WORDS TO THE BOYS.
Soon after p. m. Mr.. Whitelaw Reid visited the
office. was introduced by Mr. Charles l.. Brace sec
retary of the ChidIeu's And Society, and gave the
boys some parting advice. saving that the gentle
men to whose gifts they were indebted for the op-
portunlty Of leaving New-York for Western homes
would watch their future with interest would
| have the name and address of each would get re-
ports about them. and would feel amply repaid if
they were always said to be doing well The
boys replied with three cheers. At haf-past many
of the party started for Chambers Street Ferry,
and half an hour later tho rest followed. On
| the ferry-boat and in the passenger waiting
| room in Jersey City the conduct of the boys was
| every way credItable; an equal number of pupils
| from the best private schools could not have been
| more orderly. At the station they attracted much
attention from passengers passing through, the
| publications in Tue TRIBUNE having made many
persons acquainted with the purpose for which they
| were there, gentleman handed one of the officers
of the society who was present a small sum OF
money asking hm To " give the boys treat be-
fore they started An abundant supply OF oranges
| - oJ round aud the hovs were hannV