The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-08-09
YISIT TO THE PUBLIC PLAY
 GROUNDS.

 New Haven people are now pretty generally aware that the public play grounds started and carried on by the Women's School association do exist, but their exact location remains still a mystery to many. That the mention of them in Eaton and Zunder school yards conveys so faint an impression of their whereabouts is a commentary on the ignorance of the majority about our public schools, Possibly the Women's School association is building even bet ter than 1t knew, for the playgrounds, besides being a joy and blessing to children and parents, are putting many people in touch for the first time with our public schools. Where is zunder school?" Where Is Eaton school'' are questions that the committee is so of- ten asked by those newly interested in the playgrounds, that the wise ones will perhaps kindly stifle smile and have
 
 der school Is on George street, at the head of College street, and that Eaton school is on Jefferson street, street one block long running from Grand avenue to St. John street, just below Olive street. The play grounds are open daily from to 12 and to 5, ex- cept Saturday afternoons and Sundays, and visitors are most cordially well come, doubly so if they will be, for time, helpers also. It takes such small gifts to win appreciation there. The writer tingles with born pride over | her own successful debut as a prima donna and piano artiste. Wandering about the Eaton school yard one rather ! gloomy afternoon I had inspected ev- erything in the amusement line, had beamed approvingly and most promis- cuously on every species of child, the babies In carriages and in arms, on those of many nationalitles and as many degrees of cleanliness, and after all felt quite helpless to add any pleas ure to those already so happy. Ma ture unexpectedly came to my relief, for suddenly, while the sea-saws were bobbing gaily up and down loaded with q half dozen children on each end, while swings and hammocks were fly ing, sand heaps swarnling like ant hills, bean bags and balls tossing wildly about, suddenly there came a clap of thunder accompanied by drop or two of ran. Presto change seemed to be the new game, for quicker than words can tell it the sister and brother par ents grabbed up their small charges and made bee line for the gate. Here was the origin of my new found great ness! Dismayed at the sortie, going on so rapidly and thoroughly, l sat down at the piano in the little entrance to the hall and started up lively march With a rush and a scramble indescribable, into the small nook came those children, in numbers amaz- ing. 1 don't know whether there were any under the piano, but every other inch of space was fully occupied. finished my march with what calm l could command, and the verdict came That's fine," We like that" They plays that at Polis" This last com- meht was rather startling, but 1t was acceded to voeiferously by several voices one adding, II hears it at Polls every Saturday afternoon" A song was called for; music books produced and America" kept company with The Golden Rule,' Star Spangled Banner" "Grasshopper Green" and an unlimited supply of others To see over the one book the children fairly swarm. ed over the pianist, heads of all sizes seemed to protrude from every direc, tion, and 1 was firmly wedged on the stool, held on in fact by little arms about my waist. resting on my should CTS, locking through my arms Sucf singing, too, good and hearty, ringing through that hall entrance until duaked for the soundness of my ear. drums, Never mind, those earnest lit. tie singers covered up a multitude ot faltering notes of the accompanist as she plunged through new songs. Int reward for endurance (of several kinds came at the end, when the leader of the chorus, in the hush which for moment followed the close of my efforts, asked Are you piano teacher?" What { sweet morsel to roll under the tongue A reward indeed! A few days later
 "''' Pt'ooAhe shiOuBi JOIiH SITbel and as 1 neared the yard I was shouted at and saw some arms wave and the1 disappear. By watching they reappear . ed and disappeared again, my see-saw ing friends in their turn up in the ali could see over the high fence and hat spied me. As I entered the yard n hero returning from Santiago coult have had more attention showered up on him. Wont you play for us agail ? to-day?" greeted my delighted ears An, here was new field of glory!
 took possession of as much of the pian stool as was allowed me and manipu lated as many keys as were not block ed by elbows and hands, and the choru sang and sang. Finally solosts were il evidence and wished songs not in tn books. Alas for human pride; thei repertoires and mine were mot tn same. Don't you know that. or tha or that" they asked. and as a fee bly, admitted ignorance.o .one critic frank ly said, "She does not know very muci does she?" The little soloist had t perform finally without the piano. Af forwards my pride, so recently hur, was soothed again. Lady, won't yo
 sing alone for us?' Tommy, be still the lady is going to sing" Sally, yo
 can't sing again, the lady will sing.