The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-14
CHILDREN VINO STAY IN TOWN.
Some of tho JOYS That Poor Youngsters
Have In summer Time.

Some of the Joys That Poor Youngsters
Have In summer Time.
The children of the DOOR who have TO stay IN
town all tho summer are not necessarily
unhappy. For many Of their pleasures the
children OF the well to do. who are smartly
dressed and hurried OF to the country to
play under the eyes OF nurses. would swap
all their dolls from Paris and all their ex-
pensive toys. For one thing, they do not
have to go to bed Just when the world is
getting interesting. Fancy the resentment OF
n tenement-house child at being put to bed at
the time the chickens in the country go to
roost. The city boy and girl know that the
best part of the day is when the hot sun goes
down and the fresh air comes out Of the west.
When the moon and stars appear In the clear.
fathomless blue sky overhead the mothers
gather on the steps and gossip, while the chill
dren play for hours in the streets.
There may be many joys in life, but few equal
the completeness of playing hide and seek
around ash barrels and the using of p~assers-
by as a pivotal point in O game OF tag. Then
the game is broken by the return Of picknick-
ing lodges and political associations, with two
bands and red and white calcium lights throw
ing into fascinating chiaroscuro stalwart young
fellows swinging along linked by shoulders.
preceding big politicians in open carriages.
Now and then red and blue lights are burned.
amid n shower of rockets and stars that BIOS
som and fade to nothingness in the air above.
This is only one OF the spectacles OF summer
nights that the little children Of the poor enjoy.
Now that the political campaign will soon open.
there will be bands and endless delights around
the tails Of carts, as il the selection Of officials
was only for tho entertainment OF Cherry Hill
and Hells Kitchen.
One night each week a band plays popular
music in the nelrelt SQUARE, ana on other
evenings a lot OF the boys, inspired doubtless
by the patriotic tunes they had heard, will
EsSr e doR Bnrt the street @T sr SbiRERHa aGS. I Wbisa st GMd
Blue" These songs they know by heart, for
they were taught to them in the schools. They
lar songs OF the day, but they know the
choruses. anyway. and you will often see a row
of children sitting on the edge Of the sidewalk
M NS@hs Of Of the the Girl Tf'f love-" Ny kS Soal Black *
F FoaY n the soB Bys STS w Bs JR9y gsilS %o mi t9S os
Just for the Sake OF Our Daughter"
You go down the block a little way and you
cans almost MS tall as they are; who are drum,
ming with their fingers on the window sill OF
the shop in front Of them, while they sing the
wounded in battle while saving his company's
flag from the enemy and who asked his corp
rade to break the news to mother" 1t is On
interesting group and you pause and listen to
the tots sing the hero's dying request.
1t Is queer enough to hear those babies, not
their voices: singing the pathetic song in plain;
tive tones. When at last the children are called
in,;n2 easy task-and put to bed they ar, tired
sweet and sound. Their clothes may not be
whole or even clean. their food may not be
they seldom have, pennies to spend: but they
enjoy the unrestricted delights Of companion
ship. the charms OF usually, doing as they
please, and they do not miss the things they
know nothing about.