New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-10
COUNTRY AIR FOR CITY CHILDREN.
MERRY PARTY NOW BEING ENTERTAINED At
PLEAsANTVILLE.


Pleasantve, N Y, July o (speclal).-This dreamy
village has its spell of traditional monotony broken by
the recent arrival of party OF Tribune Freh-Ar
children from New-YOrk City. There are fory-two
little girls and one boy in the party, all ranging rom
five to twelve years OF age. They hero for two
weeks the guests OF a Ladies' Mission Society of
Work, and are being entertained ir spacious.
pleasantly situated cottage at the edge OF town. Tho
cottage is three stories in height, being originally
intended for boarding house. and Its sixteen high
celcd well-ventilated chambers afford ideal shelter
for The children at night for this, indeed, when
there is rainy weather. is the only no that they
be induced TO remain indoors. The daily routine OF
the cottage Is enforced with military eXactness Ths
nsingb gives its summons 7, toilet must be
pcted and all ready for breakfast at 8, dinner is
served at IL 30 at g. short reli ous service at
Z concludes the regulations, and by all tucked
away In cool clean linen upon newly nlIe,i mat
trosses to dream and sleep only tired children
In the stocking Of the stOrehouse ne health of tho
little IS primarily consulted. Only the most
nutritious diet IS permitted but that, however, is
served in unlimited quantities. Beef. mutton. fresh
vegetables, puddings berries ard milk constitute the
daily bill OF fare. And It IS worth half a days
journey TO those youngsters eat When dinner IS
announced they rush pellmell into the dining room,
screaming and laughing; monentary silence en-
thoy repeat grace In concert. and then, I'm,
PEELED by the hunger Of mornings romp, they set
credit the rapacity Of secOndclass boarding school,
though I'm marked contrast with the latter, a second
third help from the kitchen is never refused.
Tho meal over, with great alacrty they scamper
off to play again, that not a moment Of the day
may be lost The Fourth of July was a red-letter
day in tho FreshAr calendar Notwithstanding the
fact that It rained donkey party arranged for
their amusement, and, furthermore they have not
failed to tell all subsequent visitors to the cottage Of
the treat they enjoyed that occasion of ice cream
and cake 10th Of which luxures In the East Side
tenements.
The playground is a grassy plot Of about three
acres a good part of which is shaded by apple
orchard. brook courses along the north side, but
the children are forbidden to wade it account Of
cutting their feet. Swings hung at different parts
ard the summer-house ard barn are both turned 10
account though the towels, brushes basins and water
pals which line side at the latter structure bc-
speak far different requiston. One Of the little
girls last week caught a butterfly which, unused to
captivity and caresses, sckened and died The pop
ular voice decreed that funeral solemnties OF
fitting character DO observed. and they were held on
Sunday morning.
The Gle boy Of the party certainly seems to enjoy
his advantage He is gallant for one of his ago. sits
at the head of the table, and is referee on many
dis pued points. Boy-like, however, he has already
shown his preferences and last week, when each child
was required to write her parents little rogue
one boy, and wherever / go he goes.'
The work here is under the supervision Of Miss Mary
A. Nelson of New-Y ork, who is the president Of the
society already mentioned. This Is the fourth year
she has taken so vital an interest In tho Fresh AIR
cause. she keeps a record Of all the children enter
taned and the Obedent and deserving are aIN avs
renvited the succeeding year some OF the nus
girls with her she has entertained Tor four sue
ccssive years. Miss Nelson is being assisted by
Misses Tracey, Klrzwood ard Runnells, all personal
friends They that the task Of caring for forty
two little girls Is by means an easy one YET they
say they feel repaid when they note not only ne
ply steal beIeGt, Lut the moral improvement as weil
which is plainly discernibe In the homes or e nitlo
ones after their return the city. The flnds fOr tho
en- tcranment OF the children this summer wcre
raseh DIV some tablcaus given in Yonkers, n. l.,
bv Miss Nelson and few OF her immediate friends,
also by fair held I'm brooklyn By the little girls 81
Mrs. Arthur Bells sunday school class. Each year
the members Of the society gave their spare hours "a
the winter in preparation for the entertainment OF
The Fresh-Air children the following sumner: IN
addition to the annual funds raised many dresses as
neon into the various hooks and closets OF the cot
tasc VIII disclose, and suits Of underwear are AID
Given and these arc distributed 10 the neeiy lho
idea of the society is in time 10 own a nome OF JUS
own for the exclusive Of Fresh-Ar WORK: ihss
narsy now al Pleasanvillc Will return the hist OF
next week and forty other little girls VIII take theif
places to stay until the first OF Angus.