New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-14
4 HAPPY RETREATAT SOMERS.
THE FREsHAIR HOME PROVIDED By THE
BAPTIST YOUNG PEOPLES UNION.
FRoLICsoME YOUNGSTERS SEEN At THEIR BEST
ZIG P,Ry FOR RtINY DAYs-PLENTY TO


WOODS AND FIELDS EoR PLiY AND
BIG PAIRS FOX RLNY DAYs-PLENrY TO
EAT FOR ALL THE CHILDREN.
somers. y. j.. Aug l2.-Southwest of this village
about one-fourth of a mile Is situated the Fresh
Air Home OF the Baptist Young Peoples Union OF
New-York City At present this Home is the scene
OF az much activity. froic and pure happiness as
can be found in the most favored spot within nall
a dozen States. One hundred and one little New
York city tenement children are here az the guests
of the union, and from morning until niShtfall
the din of laughter and shouts, the hurryins anu
scurrying are ceaseess. Ten days is the limit OF
the visit The children seem to bear this fact III
mind and, to compensate for brevity of time they
try 10 appreciate their unwonted fun OF n country
visit by adding thereto both volume and intensity
The cottage which the union purchased for It's
Fresh-Air work a year or two ago was formerly
tho seat of a military school. 1t contains thirty
rooms large. airy and we'll ventilated On the hrst
floor are the chapel. kitchen dining-room, sitting
room and storehouse. The second floor Is the girls
dormitory, and the boys sleep one story higher
The highest story OF all, the attic is used as q
sort of botany Bay II Is the dread OF all the
bovs since no lad once placed within It's dark anu
bare recesses will be liberated until he has apollo
eized and given promise that he will be naughty
no more on each floor bathrooms. There are
three starways for exit. also hre-escapes' eN'in-
euishers and hand grenades in case of hre. hi9ht
trunks full of bedclothing, stand in the nails III
the sleeping rooms each child has closet. as wen
as a separate bed. The bedsteads are OF iron, ana
with their newly washed slips ana snow
counterpanes. must indeed be luxury to the child
who is wont to sleep In the dark and crowded bed
room of the city tenement house.
The surrounding grounds COMPRISE hiteen acres
within whose confines patches OF corn. peans
and potatoes. orchard and chicken yarc- All
Of which will in time administer to the good ~ NE
OF the little ones. The swimming pond is the - cca
of the boys many times daily. and the girls Sc to
II that the hamnocks, the swings. the croquet sets
and the bean-bags do not suffer from disuse. On
rainy days the barn, the wagon-shed ana the ne"
PLAYHOUSE feel and bear the patter OF noisy rect
but when the shines. by tacit and UNIVERSAL
consent the fields receive marked preference.
The cump OF woods at the furthest edge Oh the
grounds is the special choice for out-of-door tea
parties and hower-gatherng pigrimages. Each
morning and each evening the children gather IN
the chapel and. with plano accompaniment sing
Gosuel HYMNS Service Is also held on Sundays
Some OF the children recite little pieces which they
have learned in the mission schools OF the city.
In the Home probably the most appreciated
features the diningroom and the larder po,h
OF which departments well equipped for their
respective purposes The aim OF Miss Dewey, the
matron, Is to give abundance of inviting ana
nutritious food. The bill-of-fare disclosed great
variety OF roasts. buildings, vegetables MIX
sauces bread. cakes. fish, potpies. porridge and
fruit corps OF six helpers Is required to pre-
pare and serve the food to the chi lren.
The Baptist Young Peoples Union OF New-fork
city. which carries this grand work of enter
tanning children. partakes of the nature or the
Christian E,ndeavor Society. The fresh-air enter
prise is the only practical work OF the Union. All
Efforts are united make the Home AZ SomerS
as attractive AZ possible The contributions TO the
union are for the most part voluntary Inc Irib-
tne Fund kindly furnishes transportation both
ways FOR the children. Many special donations are
made. The American Express Company carries
All packagcs FOR the Home At low rates. and re-
Gently Mr. Hopkins. Of Calvary BAPTIST Church,
gave moving machine ard other farming IA
Elements for use at tho Home. Last year the
Home onicrtainod So children: the number this
year with increased facilities, Will probably reach
100.