New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-09
LOADS OF YOUNG CRIPPLES.
PICKED UP BY THE CHILDRENs AID
WAGONETTE AND TAKEN TO SCHOOL
POOR PEOPLE on THE WEST SIDE CHEER THE
VEHICLE AS 1T PAssEs-scHooLRooMs
AIRY AND CHEERFUL.


VEHICLE AS 1T PAssEs-scHooLRooMs
AIRY AND CHEERFUL
e. Loring Brace. the secretary OF the Children
Aid Society at No. lO5 East Twenty-second-st has
many pathetic stories to tell about the work done
among the little crippes by the society. lie SAID
TO a Tribune reporter yesterday:
"In a tenement house in West Sixtieth-st little
girl of seven helpless and deformed from spinal
disease whose pale. thin little face was rarely
lighted by n smile. when asked her name looked
up at the questioner wonderlng,y and gravey an
swered I Amt got name; Use only a cripple
THE question OF educating these poor children
and protecting them from the neglect OF parents
incapable OF caring for them is serious one
Glasses for these little unfortunates were organ
lied IN the Industrial school Of tho Childrens Aid
Society at No. 22i West Slxtythirdst. As the dlap-
dated wagonette which brings in the pupils zigzags
up and down Tenth and Eleventh ayes. and the
streets between picking up tho little crpples on its
way, IL Is often blessed by the people. one eXclt-
able Irish woman vociferously expressed the senti
ment OF the neighborhood az she followed the
wagonette for half block with arms thrown up.
excaiming The Lord Almighty bless ye for this
an reward ye in heaven. The Lord Almighty Dless
ye for remembern' the crippes' Even the street
boys take an interest in the work. and one OF them
constituted himself guard OF honor to keep the
other boys from riding the steps of the wagon
cite and Indignantly exclaimed as he nourished
stick at the offenders: Ye jes' better leave these
kids alone: it is bad enough to be cripple, an yer
ought TO he glad they go to school, anyhow!
THE coming OF the wagonctte is looked for by
these little 'shut-ins' with eagcrness that Is al
most pathetic. for it is to many their only chance
OF a little fresh air and change Of scene little
colored girl, who could not walk or stand. when
carried downstairs by the kind hearted driver, was
as brimful of JOY bird set free from It's cage.
The poor little thing could not remember when
she had last been out. and said II was a long time
back befo' las summer, an befo' las winter a
long long time ago
The class for the crippled children occupies the
second floor OF the school building. They have two
large bright schoolrooms dining and play room,
kitchen and bathroom Some of these little ones
come I'm a most destitute condition; they must first
be washed and their wounds dressed. and their
dirty rags replaced by clean. warm clothing before
they are 1T for the schoolroom. One morning 2
10 have her little girl taken in the wagonette she
had to work she explained, and she vas not al
lowed to leave the child at the Day Nursery ne,
cause II bad aai abnormal erowth on Its back ana
tory while being washed ald dressed. When asked
Who put you 10 bed last night! she rephed'
colored man
Where was your MOTHER
a cop came and rested him Me ladder don't
like me, and me mudder don't like me-" she added
through frequent friendly visits to her home
and much admonishing and encouraging or every
aroused in this poor mother dim awakening sense
of duty 10 her child and much TO her neighbors
establishment she does not now pawn the clothes
that are given to Maggie. but sends the little one
school clean and neat.
THE children enjoy the pleasant, sunny rooms
Here they spend the day. and are given a good
wholesome meal at noon and such other nourish-
ment individual eases require. They receive
kindergarten and industrial training and lnstruc-
tion in elementary studies. As their ages range
from three and half 20 twenty. II is somewhat
difficult 10 arrange classes In regular order. and
lessons often be interrupted 10 rest the weary
spite OF these disadvantages. they have done really
good work"
Mr. Brace is particularly anxious just now to pro-
cure a new wagonette with which 10 collect the
crpples. The old vehicle IL nearly worn out