New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-16
JOY IN PARADISE PARh.
HUNDREDS OF POOR PEOPLE MADE
HAPPY WITH GIFTS OF FLOWERS.

THE GOOD WORK OF THE MODERATION SOCIETY
THOROUGHLY APPRECIATED BY THE
JEWELLERS ABOUT FIVE POINTS.
An oasis in the city slumsl This may seem an
exaggeraon OF speech and almost incredible OF
belief but could a glimpse have been obtained yes
terday afternoon Of the triangle at five foih's'
the most sceptlcaI might possibly have been con-
WINGED. Standing upon the small PLATFORM wnich
is in the OF this little park, were four kindly
faced and gentle-voiced women and three large
hearted distributing flowers to the throngs Oh
eager-eyed men, women and children who had gain
cred together for this one bit OF pleasure And
pleasure IL surely was. Not trace of doubt could
remain i'm the mind OF any one who witnessed the
scene. Long before the hour for the members OF
Moderation Society TO arrive with their precious
burden children were seen scurrylng from every
direction. many of them acting the part OF little
mothers" and staggering beneath the weight Of the
Younger brother or sister carried in arms, yet show
ing a certain pride in the charge ntrusted to Them
Those who were the first arrive secured the seats
leading to the platform. which were the most ca
gerly sought for being nearest TO the coveted dos
SONS Those less fortunate gathered near by or
scampered excitedly about. watching Tor the APP
proach of their benefactors. Seated upon the rev
iron benches placed in the park were children OF
| larger growth, a motley gathering OF men ana
| women iowncast, haggard and ragged, yet all
having hidden in their hearts the memory OF child
| hood and some germ Of goodness, no matter now
small which could be reached with Kindness ana
patience.
Leaning against the buildings and trees or idly
| standing about, were creatures bearing sucn a
record of sin and degradation upon their bioated
faces as to seem beyond redemption. yet still snow
| ing traces of humanity they furtively watched
| the scene before them. Upon the arrival or the
| huge baskets and boxes OF flowers the children
lost all control OF themselves and swarmed up
| and over the railing of the platform until 1t De-
| came necessary to force them back into place.
Frantic efforts were made by those below To gS
| some footing where they might reach the bright
| blossoms which were being distributed among the
! more fortunate of their companions. Hands were
stretched out in every direction and 50 close To-
gether that it was difficult to put flower in one
hand without a dozen others attempting 10 take H.
4 perfect Babel Of voices filed the air with ex-
| CARNATIONS Of delight. disappointment or veXailon'
and cries such "Oh. missis, please give me- one!
| please mister. won't you give me one? ana
! "Oh. mlsss | amt had one yet sounded on all
| sides with no cessation
Tirel-looking women. bearing infants in arms.
| looked wistfullv on and when they received a
| bunch of the most fragrant OF the blossoms with
! an accompanying kind word or smile. their faces
lighted up with expression that seemed to speak
! OF renewed hone and courage. one OF the httle
| band of workers left the others and went out
among the unfortunate ones who sat or stood
| apart watching the bright faces Of those who
| had received the coveted treasures with gloomy
| sad wistfu or suen glances as II might be. but
who accepted the gifts kindly held out TO them with
grateful II awkward thanks and with a tighten
| lacked courage 10 approach the platform boidly
| with the others took heart when there seemed
less chance OF being overheard, and sald
| ''Wul YOU please give just one posy miss
These men had hard. coarse features, were dirty
and r1iserably clad. but simple flower given
with kindly grace had power 10 t0uch thcli
better natures and. at least for the moment,
reawakened manhood shone in their faces iheft
are fow no matter how low their condition. |,
whom charity f. not an added degradation. fno
is an inDoss bility to help their condition 10 any
extent. but in any one OF these places putlCi
| Of FRAGRANT blossoms. Towering plant, may
ha given IN a way which makes acceptance
means OF changing for the better the entire fanny
A number OF the children were asked YESTERDAY
what they dil with their flowers, ana IN aInoS
every the reply was ON, carry lheI no oi
| and put them in water. There was no Was,li r
nv carsless handling OF the flowers. but they Wer'
held I'm such a way that they should not %
| harmed. and in many cases were caressel anu IL
garded with the utmost delight and affection
| Noticeable arrong the chidren was an occasions
80 cot clean face with neatly brushed halr. ana u
those Ilt,o ones given the prettest blossoms
| Quickly did the ones with dirty faces pecoWe COZ
scl0uS and promises were earnestly gwen 70 "
| hotter and 20 come next time with faces ana manu-
which should not be put 70 shame by me mos
delicate flowers The good that has already beef
| accomplished by the distributions mas peet -
! plainlv shown that IL Is the earnest wsh OF IN
| Moderation Society t. give a small pant 10 a
| many as possible Of the poor families IN me vi
entity of Five Points To he present ior - n,v
! moments only at Of those saturday dlstrDu
| lions would quickly convince person OF the peas
me given and the personal happiness 10 De game
in aiding this charity.