New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-08

EVEN ~ COLD WEATHER THE CHILDREN OF
THE TENEMENT DISTRICTS CLING TO
THEIR MPRovIsED vERANDAs
AS pass through the tenement districts on the
elevated Ines In this city and catch glmpses -
tho queer nc led there the inventive genius Of the
people TO obtain air for themselves and their babies
IS something astonishing" said n business woman
Yesterday mot only sheltered corners on the
roofs are utilized. but almost every fire escape Is
furnished with n view 10 making n hahitahlc
Especially IN summer time these hidcous iron
frameworss made artistic with flower boxes.
quantities OF growing plants IN pots climbing
vines There is one FIRE escape on the SiXth-ave.
line. on tho east side. which is almost completely
hidden from the very FIRST round Of the ladder To
the roof with heavy ivy vine. the foliage OF which
brings deeply shaded nook outside II each win
dow in its path This vine IS evidently an old ono.
as the trunk OF tho Ivy l. thick and IS we'll rooted
In tho ground aperture having been left for
It IN the cement sidewalk along the side Of the
building.
"A nt;le further down a landing which has no
hole IN the floor IS made sii safer for the littlc
ones by a plcco Of carpet covering tho floor. a
comforter Is fastened the top for a shelter.
and the babies play serene and contentcd In their
little dollhouse with dollies and rattes and toys
Another fire escape IS evidently used constantly
throughout the winter and summer. for regular
awning cover has been fitted 10 It. and the red
bound scalops make It decidedly pretty.
TN another the children have been allowed 10 NJ
Il ZIP In their own sweet way. using anything they
could get hold Of for roofs side curtains and floor
ing blue bingham apron and red flannel petti-
coat screening the front. while towels and col
orcd tahlocloth finish the decorative draperies.
This cos-y corner is divided into two coinpart-
their dolics Ike grown folks. evidently comparing
the good and bad qualities ~ their servants ana
various sickncsses from which the dollies are sup
posed 10 be suffering
Around on the Second-avc. line a mother has tied
lp "A sheet into a temporary hammock across one
end for baby sleep. while sh" sits In rocking
chair beside Il sewing. man occupies the entire
uincc at another number. and when not too cold a
hammock swings the length Of the balcony.
ANY number ~ these imlroviscd balconies have
"A piece Of Oilcloth carpet across the Stats. so
That baby can play there. but all Of those are ar
ranged with the ladders ~ the ends OF the escape.
none seeming 10 Doe used where the ladder descends
through the centre. with a square hole.
THE fire escapce not tho only airy places
utilized in lien ~ the vcranda. lawn or back yard
Of more fortunate people but even IN" spaces he
hind the huge signs which decorate the fronts 81
stores are also roomy. and many people take ad-
vantage Of this fact
I'm one place up IN the Fifties mother was OBJ
served TO lift baby out on 10 the ledge behind a
sign. whore ne seemed 10 enjoy looking down on
tho street and mp AT The trains. hut ne was CO.
curelv tied by rope 10 something inside the room
so that ne could rot possibly fall over.