New-York tribune., 1900-07-07
FROLIC FOR LITTLE FOLKS.
THE TRIBUNE FRESH AIR FUNDS FIRST
EXCURSION OF THE SEASON A
GREAT SUCCESS

The first excursion for the season Of The Tribune
Fresh Air Fund, represented by the Brooklyn Chill
dren's Aid Society took place yesterday, The
barge starina was scheduled 10 leave the foot OF
Congress-st- Brooklyn, at $50 a m. and as early
730 the stream OF small and large humanity
began 10 pour toward it. Mothers and children
under twelve years invited 10 be the bene-
hciaries OF the occasion and nobly they responded
10 the appeal They came by twos and threes and
skies
The invitation suggested bring luncheon and
milk pails,' the groups were laden with baskets
and boxes commensurate 10 the size Of each. Small
boys representing extensive families staggered
under the weight OF baskets nearly as large as
themselves while others carried pathetic little
paper packages. containing few cents worth of
''5oughnuts," perhaps. Some carried tin cans
erstwhile sacred undoubtedly. TO other and
beverages than milk
IN their eaEerress 70 be safely board few
ot the throng gave more than passing glance TO
the United States transport Rawlins where she lay
alongside the pier. and not even the squeaking
granophore on board. with its wheezy ragtime
tunes could win one Of them 10 delay in passing
All were IN holiday attire far as they could
accomplish it and the general success Of their
effort was remarkable A fairly large proportion
was Italian and the swarthyl skin. black hair and
eyes and unrestralned gorgeousness Of color in
dress made strfkingly picturesque effects.
Small crowds Of envtous t,cketless children stood
on the pier with longing in their faces. and occa-
sionally offered tjfnid entreaty. Teacher. amt
you got q ticketfur me?" to some whose appear
ance made evident that they were not OF the bene-
hciary class
TWELVE HUNDRED on BOARD.
When the hour for starting arrived little parties
were hurrying down the pier, and they hastened
On board other belated ones appeared in constant
reinforcement SO that ii was after o'clock when
the impatient youngsters felt that the huge barge
YVES moving at last
Fully twelve hundred were on board, among
them being z dozen or more infants IN baby car
riages. but there was no crowding, and in all the
good natured scrambling for seats were de-
traudod
For some time after starting all was hustle and
4 mimic pandemonium prevailed. The keeper Of
he barge constructed his tables and prepared his
display Of candies indigestble but seductvely gay
popcorn cakes and home-brewed birch beer,
cent glass; IN which ne soon was doing brisk
business.
The cross beams assumed an appearance sug-
gestive Of vast millinery shop with their burdens
Z brilliantly fowered hats Little girls walked
3p and down with a proud consciousness OF being
ea9y oTeSsSo - one the IN snnsrs eianced
askance at shabby acquaintances in mere colored
hat her white stockings, which would have fitted
some one much larger. lay in graceful drapery
one could hardly believe seeing the general neat
2css OF aspect that the passengers came in many
,ases from homes Of almost incredible squalor. yet
:he nurse and doctor who accompanied the party
and. in one case. with II That under
exterior seemed q marvel ard added pathos to the
scene. One frau but cheerful little woman had
I've babies vita her the eldest seemed not more more
nan eight. the youngest was only a month old.
The infant lay quietly in IT'S carriage. waving tiny
lands ai1nessly and occasionally smiling at It's
2ahyt' said some one. The mother looked pleased
and answered. He cries most Of the time at
7orne bur I guess il IS because II IS warm He
'eels comfortable now" And HOW good the baby
I believe It is just the nice air. was a fire.
suent remark.
LITTLE MOTHERS IN PLENTY
Every stage Of the distance held some new in
.erest for children and mothers alike. The mourn
,uI charred wrecks Of the burned ships were
zazed AT with awed curiosity. There a whole
some absence Of supervision, only enough being
exercised possible accident. and the order
and good nature prevailing in that assembage Of
100 was simply astonishing. -,..- - -,
found willing helpers. one young girl spent the
whole Of her fortune OF 10 cents In treating
smaller children TO the coveted birch peer r.,
Then came the storm. and trouble on a limited
scale began Some OF the women were afraid of
thunder and communicated their fright 10 a rev OF
nc children. that for time a little ripple or
excitement felt The rain beat IN between
seeks n torrents and there was scuTTying 10 the
shelter q the middle portion. After a whhe
laughter resumed sway and the trouble ended ue-
fore The storm did ,
fortunately. the rain had stopped SO thaL a IA Ia
number went ashore A party ~ ne b a1Ea @ DS 5i 81
t2uce. then flung of some OF lhelf coming ai'o
tossed themselves into the water Ihcy hau d
lovely time until the horn be" L" Ie1a TIE 9lids
As the excursionists came troopng down the tiers
looked extremely picturesque. as their millinery
and gowns presented every possible color
FRESH MILK FOR ALL.
The tourney home was as pleasant and thor
oughv enjoyed as the going and all passing steam
boats were hailed With exuberanr delight and wav-