The Republican journal., 1898-06-16
Rest and Fun From the Fresh Air
Fund.

Everybody wants a change and fun in
summer, but no unselfish body wants to
take it alone. He invites his wife, his
children or his friend to share it with him :;
and, if he is really thoughtful, he remem-
bers that there are thousands of poor city
people who have no money to spend in get
ting away from the hot walls and pave
ments, and makes contribution to the
Fresh Air Fund.
This helping hand of summer recrea-
uon work tor the poor, and especially for
children, is now recognized institution
IN Boston, and entering upon its nine
teenth season after a remarkable record
of popular support and growth. 1t utilizes
the electric Car lines, the harbor, and the
parks for the benefit of the needy and in
addition has its own little rural paradise
of Rosemary Cottage at Eliot, Maine, to
which overworked mothers and little
children are sent for fortnight as guests
of the donors to the Fund.
By careful administration little money
is made to 60 long way, yet great deal
OF money is devoted to hospitable kind
ness IN the course of the summer. A
nickel means long electric ride into the
country; thlrty-twO cents provides visit
to the shore or share in one of the
famous picnics in Franklin Park, while
seven dollars gives a mother or child
two delightful weeks at Rosemary Cottage.
Ii so much pleasure for those who will ap-
preciate it most can elsewhere be purchas-
ed at such bargain counter prices, we do
not know where it is.
Judged by the children's opinion Rose
mary Cottage must be one of the happiest
places on earth. ''Such beautiful place!
Everything is as white as snow" writes Il
little girl. The trees, the barn where
parties are given, the hill with its glimpses
OF ocean and mountain, the country walks
with wild flowers and berries, the abund-
| ance of good food, the big dolls house
and merry games and the kindly and
considerate hospitality, leave their in
| delible impress on the childs mind, and
lessons of order, neatness, kindness and
| innocent enjoyment are carried back into
narrow city homes.
1t needs organization and self devotion
to make such hospitality available to the
right people at the right time, and this
end Of the machinery is we'll equipped and
ready but it cannot do its work without
the cordial support and cooperation of the
public in large gifts and small. 1t is an
investment in happiness, in gracious
memories, in pale cheeks grown ruddy
and weary eyes grown bright for pinc1ed
children, in strength and hope for dis
Outraged mothers, in Frightening lives
which have more shadow than sunshine.
Hereis an opportunity for the exercise
of that grace of hospitality which 50 often
seems to have slipped out of reach in our
busy age. To have share in providing
rest and happiness for those who need it
most, to have been the helper of that sick
mother aud ailing baby who went down to
Rosemary last summer with little hope Of
recovery and came back we'll, is worth a
little thought-or even little self denial,
10 use this opportunity of ministering to
the poor and sharing summer pleasures by
partnership in the Fresh Air Fund, con-
tributions should be sent to Rev. D. W.
Waldron, IA Beacon Street, Room 10,
Boston, Mass, by whom they will be
promptly acknowledged.