New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-10
OFF FOR COUNTRY HOMES.

.r.PGg PARTY OF FRESH AIR CHILDREN.
YEARLY 800 on THEIR WAY TO CLINTON COUNTY
SCENES ON THE BOAT.
TIL. steamer Belle Horton left the pier Of the Cit-
1ons Line at the foot of Christopher-st, for Troy
Yesterday afternoon with precious cargo on DoaTo'
This cargo was composed Of 462 children, benet-
Charles of THE TRIBUNE Fresh AIR Fund. and those
IN charge of thsm. 1t was after o'clock when the
boat started but by 2:30 the contlngents began 10
arrive at the pier and they came each group went
immediately ON board the steamer and esfaptisheo
Themselves IN the most comfortable place they could
find. They came bringing all sorts and conditions
of baggage, some staggering under tho weight OF
hinge carpet-bags, and some with their seanty
vararobes tucked under their arms in small pack
AGES II all looked very natural 10 those who had
seen the same thing last year. There was the usual
number of valises that would not stay shut, ana
the usual number of brown paper bundles tnat
would como united There were the quiet chhuren
who deposited their baggage in a corner ana s'ooa
guard over it with as much concern on tneir races
as il they were guarding the treasures OF Golconoa
Then there were the lively Chi dren VINO wen
romping about the boat losing their bundles ana
finding them again, and apparently not caring
whether they arrived at their destination Win an
extra pair of stockings or not.
boat drew nigh the arrivals became more
freouept. until q steady stream Of Juvenile hu-
manity poured down the gang-plank and spread
itself over the boat The children were all we'll
dressed and clear-lookng. and at first sight one
yould hardly imagine that their lives had been
passed in those living tombs called tenement houses
where the workingman Of New-York city is Obliged
10 make his home. Yet on the countenshcsso u
every one was that old aud tired look by WHICH the
children of the city's crowded courts and alleys can
always be distinguished from those whose 1ves
have been passed amid the fields and woods Oh the
cou TRY.
BEHAVIOR OF THE LITTLE TRAVELLERS.
1t was a sight worth seeing to see them when
they had all assembled. Here group sat listening
eagerly to some girl who had been in the country
before and was relating her experiences In that to
many of them unknown land. Between
,bs bites of sandwich she related
the story of her adventures and the wonderful
things 10 be seen beyond the citys walls and the
lapse OF time, coupled with an imagination common
to most children OF her age. made the tale one which
put Alice in Wonderland completely IN tine shade
In another part of the boat party OF boys were IN
yes,igating the capstan. while some OF their com
panions near by, of less inquirng ana more VEIL
turesome turn of mind. were trying to II hn up
post that supported the awning over the FORWARD
deck. Many stood by the rail and watched the
water smashing against the steamers side OF gazed
at the big ships dropping down tne river or lying al
the piers.
In and out among the throng moved those
men and women who for the love they
bear humanity. have taken upon Themselves the
arauous labor of seeing the children safely in their
country homes. Here timid child had TO DC
consoed and comfor ed then beadstrong one had
al fr,tn NH on
house. Now the contents of burst bundle had TO
be gathered together and now a refractory vaise
persuaded to close its gaping mouth. Most oil the
children bad been provided with lunches before
they left home by the city mmissionaries and
Others who had selected them. and carried them III
brown paper bags However careless 70 child
might be about his luggage. never for
moment did one lose hold OF his
paper bag. The bags kept getting lighter and
ugbter however and 10 was evident that long be-
fore supper time they wou'd be useless aud empty.
Some OF the children it was found had brought no
supper with them. so messenger was dlspssonedd
for ca aoes for the improvident ones Hereturned
Just before the boat started, very muc1 out OF
breath. and bending under the weight OF an in-
mense brown paper bag. Brown paper, IT viii be
saa,, ni,ve an npor anf part in the out fit OF
pany Of Fresh Air children.
BIDDING THEIR CHILDREN GOoD-BY.
Among those who congregated at the pier to see
the party OFF were many mothers whose children were
leaving them, some for the INST Time. am sorry
to part with my children" said one sorowfully.
"but I'll leave them to the Lord; lie will take
care of them" And that faith
she smiled through her tears and waved good
by" to boy and girl who were kissing their
hands 10 her from the upper deck. 80,
All being ready. the lines were cast oil and the
steamer slowly moved away from the pier rush
was made by the mothers and friends OF the chill
dren to the end of the pier and there on boxes ana
bales of merchandise they stood aud shouted theii
faIewes and waved their baldkerchiefs at the re-
ceding boat From the boat arose one long, wiid
shont of Youthful voices. The boys waved their
hats and the girls their some
even IN the excitement OF the moment, swinging
Ihetr bundles and valises over their heads slowly
the STEAMER backed out into the stream
aud then gathering Roadway. steamed up
the river toward the mist-shrouded Palisades.
The mothers on the pier watched the steamer ior
n while and then turned away. saying that u was
bad luck 10 waIca any out OF sight, ana went
away IN groups, telling each other how good iheir
children were and reckoning - now many DAYS IL
would be before they would return 10 them.
The chiidren will wake tins morning at Troy and
tonght they will sleep IN tine pleasant homes OF
Clinton County. Among those VINO go IN charge Oh
the children are Mrs. icKennIon. one OF tho readers
of the Bible Society and the Rev. Mr.. Dooly, OF
Carmel Chapel. Brooklyn.
The Hon. j. Ii. Webb, Colonial Secretary OF the
Bahama Islands. who has taken great interest IN
the work OF THE TRIBUNE Fresh Air Fund, IS on
yisr this CITY, and az he pier yesterday 10
see the children Off He expressed himself as de-
lighted with the arrangements Tor the cblidrehs
comfort ana said that he more than ever De-
never In the great good accomplished by the funo.