Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-19
CITY AND DISTRICT.
COUNTRY AIR FOR POOR CHILDREN.


COUNTRY AIR FOR POOR CHILDREN
Little Once Taken from the City for a
Two Weeks Breathing Spell.
THE cHILpREN's COUNTRY HOME, AND HOW n
Is MANAGED-A BUCoLIC PARADISE ENJoYEn
Br FIFTEEN LITTLE ONES AT A TIME-A NEW
HOME TO BE PURCHASER.
In parts of Washington dwell many poor
children, whose poverty will not allow them
good air 10 breathe nor cheerful surroundings.
Ragged women, who take in washing. or go cut
20 scrub for living, dwell in these places, sur
rounded by many children These children are
brought up on the rough side of life. They roll
about on the floors Of their squald homes in
eharye of some older son daughter of misery.
while their parents are out looking for llvef-
hood. They grow up on the foul air OF the
under life In the city, or die, as chance may
have It. AS they grow older they paddle with
the ducks in the puddles or sail chip boats in
the cutters, breathing the foul air distilled by
The hot summer sun. They cry at night when
the heat drives sleep from their weary
little bodies. and some sol. hearted
neighbor grumbles and writes a letter to the
newspapers, or to the Commissioners complain
ing of the "cats, dogs and babies that make night
hideous" with their bowls. They know moth
ing of the green fields and flowers and the fresh
country air, Just little way out of their sight.
THESE are the children of all the Door people of
various degrees who live In the city summer
and water with never a change OF air or scene.
When the hot August sun has driven away
all the Weather people who have cooler
and better homes; when the children of more
fortunate chance are breathing the fresh noun
tain air, playing on the green in the shade. or
gathering shells on the sea shore, these children
are cooped up in the hottest and most uu-
healthy part of the city. The dusty streets are
their play grounds and the hot brick walls
their cradles at night. Some of them are pale
and feeble, wasting away. The poor doctor
prescribes "change of air and the mother
lays the little one across her lap and sadly
shakes her head as she runs her fingers through
her hair looking sadly and hopelessly into
the pale lace. Change OF air! The doctor Is
paid BY the city for this advice: who is to pay
THE CHANGE OF AIR?
There are hundreds oftbess little children who
never get out of the hot city in the summer.
It Is the thought OF this that has appealed TO
the hearts of the young ladies of st. Johns
parish who have founded and are prom citing
the .childrens country home, where poor
children are taken for "A stay OF two weeks in
the country. Nearly every body knows of the
"Hore," but all the good il does can never be
known. Twenty uDm 4rried ladies ~were the
founders OF the institution, and il IS through
soDpora IL Win tn Kind donations I verV pretty
place Of about three or four acres, with a
Pleasant house and plenty of shade is leased
and here the children are taken. The location
Is one of the most picturesque and delightful
In the near surburbs of the city, near Pierces
mill ON the Pierce mill road, which winds
it prettiest part.
THE COUNTRY HOME.
The house is part of brick and part of Frame
nestled In the shade with the lawn falling away
from IL on every side. 1t is part of O large
farm adjoining where there are cows in plenty
10 furnish fresh milk and sweet butter. 10
children taken from hot, close quarters in the
city, two weeks stay here is like visit TO Para
disc. They stand on the brow Of the slope and
clap their little hands as they drink in the
fresh air, Their limbs get supple as they rOInp
upon the lawn, and the fresh milk and good
diet brings the plump and the pink To their
cheeks. 1t is a little heaven to the poor city
children. But, unfortunately, the Paradise Is
too small for all who stand at its gates ana lis
ten to the crystal spring OF merry laughter.
FIFTEEN AT TIME.
Only fifteen children can be cared for at a
time, and they have to take turns of two weeks,
making about ninety children who can be given
q Whit at the country air during the three
months season, from the first of June TO the
first Of September. The ladies do not go among
the poor looking for childre1, because as many
rs they can care tor are brought To them. some
are pitiable little creatures. The Home is not
hospital, and there are no accommodations for
sick children. The idea is to prevent their get
ting sick by staying in the city all summer.
Both boys and girls are taken from the ages of
Tour to ten Tor boys and frOr1 four to twelve tor
girls. They are not kept more than two weeks
IN any case, unless they are very delicate and
visit IL like bright dream TO them. n sister
from the Episcopal convent is in charge, doing
happy. The Institution is no: sectarian; the
religion of the children is not considered al ali,
and contributions for its support come from all
tute, and when they have not change OF
clothes their needs are provided for Al the
Home.
WHAT ONE OF THE PATRONS SAYS.
cit would do your heart good to see they
enjoy the vacation said one of the amable
young patrons of the institution. talking with
. STAR reporter. 'SOme OF them come from
such miserable homes, and when they sstthere
they seem almost overcome with deligh: Bur
one thing that pleased me was to discover that
however miserable their homes are. the IN saside ID
elevation does not make them forget them.
They are always willing to- 90 home again,
though they generally express a desire to- COME
back IL II a temporary treat 10 them aud they
take II as such. IL does nos break their home
ties, which am aston1Shed and delighted to
md so strong Some OF these little ones live in
cellars in a most miserable manner. yet they
cling TO their homes and To- their mothers who
are hardened by hard work and priyation
This devotion is pleasant thing 10 see.
I'VE don visit among the poor Eucn as so
many Children are sent 10 Us, but some times
We do go TO their homes. One home visited
WAS near the observatory. 1t was one small
room In cellar, ali under ground except the
narrow windows near the ceiling. In this little
dirty, dark hole lived a mother and three small
children, worse than destitute. We hear of
these things in large cities ike New York but
never thought OF such thing in Washington
These are the children who need country air
and food"
TO BUY NEW HOUSE.
The ladies OF the country home are trying to
raise building fund. that they can buy
home, as their lease on the present one will
soon expire. and IT is not certain that they can
renew it. They are saving what they can from
The con tributions for this purpose. and they will
probably recei We liberal s,ssista in their aud-
able undertaking Thus lar they nave never
been short OF funds 10 pay their expenses and
they have generally had enough money lett
each year 10 start or Tor the next. The young
ladies' Interested are some OF the most pOpu ar
In Washington society, AMI they have done
everything 10 maze tine home a Success The
president is Miss Mary Wilks, and Miss Virgie
Niles is treasurer.
Give the Swimmers a Chance.
LET "DECENCY' TURN HER HEAD A LITTLE
To the Editor of T.fE EVENING STAR
May i suggest that .Deceney" and his tribe