New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-10
FRESH-AIR WORK IS BOOMING
THRONGS OF CHILDREN BEING SENT ~,
A HAPPY TINE IN THE COUNTRY
THE FIRST TRIBUNE FREE EXCURSION OF rur
SEAsON-HOLLOw-EYED YOUNGSTERS AND
CARE-woRN MOTHERS HAVE A JOLLY
SAIL. TIP THE RIVER.


In the midst of the general business depressIo,
and the complaints which are heard on all sides IA
consequence Of the hard times It IS a great rel,s,
to hear of enterprise which Is enjoying n.
usua, prosperity. Away up the ninth floor q,
The Tribune Building, where The Tribune Fresh.A,
Fund holds forth, II Is certainly true TO speak IN
everyday parlance. that business Is brisk" Not
only are parties OF children leaving the city a,mos,
every day but numerous letters keep coming in
from the country, asking for children seeking
Information as to the ways and means Of obtaining
them. Last week six parties, aggrega,.ng over
three hundred children. were sent out for two
weeks and the grand tota. OF children at present
enjoying an outing Is TWO thousand.
Monday is usually the busiest day Of the week
and yesterday was no exception. Early in the
morning a large party started for Hon. y. Y.
where they were received by Mrs. f. j. Easton
chairman OF the Fresh-Ar Committee A number
Of them were specials" that Is. they were Hon
ast year. and were invited back a sor; CT n.
ward for good behavior. In the afternoon large
party started for Chapel I'LL. ~ J. There Is moth
Ing Fresh Air enjoys more than body Of
water, and f he take n sail paddle in
brook his happiness - compete. Il !s needless 10
say tina; the beautiful sail from New-YOrh 70 Az
ant!c Highlands is always thoroughly appreciated,
Late last evening .arge party Of Jos started %
the Pennsylvania r1ad for B.ar. Penn. and the
surrounding towns. Tire children were in charge
OF Dr. Worre, WHO is a prominent figure In the
Band Of Good Hope Of the Seventeenth Street Meth.
odst Eplscopa. Church. The children VIII reach
their destination to-day about noon, and vii! 10
received by the Rev. y. j. Stauner and the Rev.
J. B. Law the ministers n charge of the Fresh-Air
work. Several parties Will 90 out To-Day and more
Will fo..ow during the week
The first of series Of twenty-five free eXcurslona
which are 20 be given TO the children Of the poor
I'm this city who afford even one days trip out
OF New-York and its sweltering streets. was held
Yesterday under the auspices OF The Tribune Fresh
Air Fund. The friend who has contributed most
to these excursions should have been at Third-st
and the East River yesterday morning lie would
have seen something that would nave shown him
that his generosity well placed and heartily ap-
precated. Nearly 100 little ones dressed In their
Sunday best. with faces beaming with delight
crowded the big barge danced TO the strains OF the
band. made peaceabe but determined attacks on
the 1000 big ginger cakes which had been provided
for them until luncheon time, and were happy all
the da:'."
Their mothers some carrying their little ones-too
weak 10 toddle-and others leading brght-eyeJ but
thin and pale-faced children crowded down the
long hot wharf. and seemed fearful that the prom
ised trip was a delusion and one born OF troubled
dreams in sitting tenement houses. But they were
quickly undeceived. Alongside the wharf lay .
stout barge and the stanch little steamboat Black
the big barge, much as TO say-"YOu are bigger
than | am. but I easily take you Just
wherever wish"-and the impertnent little boat
did and seemed glad 10 do IT, a gentle breeze
swept over the blue waters OF the river. and when
the barge and its small but sturdy escort were
free from the wharf. all the babies woke up. and
the elder children TO the expression OF deck
hand on the barge. raised Cain"
Well Cain more happily raised. Long
before the hour OF starting the guests" began 10
swarm down the pier. There were big and little
girls and big and little boys. and children who
have arrived at that indefinite period OF life when
they are called tots" The mothers, happy IN the
luncheon baskets-fed TO OVERLOOKING. and several
sturdy men rolled great cans OF milk ana coneY
on board the barge. There was plenty Tor all ana
to spare
Al $50 o'clock the whistle OF the Blackbr4
sounded shrill note. few late-comers hurried
the tug with its big consort. moved slowly out
into the stream. A handsome steam yacht, spee6~
ing swiftly UP the river, saluted the happy, cnus
dren, and in return got a salute from nearly ~
shrill treble voices Around the Battery and up the
Hudson River went the Blackbird and her charge
ties under the grim Palisades opposite fonkers,
Here the party disembarked and promptly pro-
ceeded 10 have fun. And fun was the order OF thy
day until luncheon time. The capacity for thak
meal which the youngsters had was ASTONISHING
and as for the milk IL disappeared In twinklinxe
but more was always forthcoming demand.
The hOmeward Journey was begun at o;g p. my
and the tired but happy crowd was landed at
o'clock. 10 go home and dream OF green mis- ano
fields and sparkling water and sweet music.