New-York tribune., 1900-12-07
APPLES FOR POOR CHILDREN.
DISTRIBUTION BY Mr.. LYON. OF THE MOD
GRAFTON SOCIETY-A GLANCE
AT POVERTY

Crowds OF eager children filled the Mulberry Bend
Arcade yesterday afternoon at o'clock, awaiting
the distribution OF apples by the Moderation Society
the society's 445th free distribution, but this
time apples were substituted for the flowers that
heretofore have been given. II the idea Of
Sylvsnus Lyon. the vice-president who himself su-
perintended the work.
The consumptve mother. with puny baby in her
arms; the boys With faces already marked by crime
girls with eager sad faces tots only large enough
10 know that apple is pretty to look at and good
10 eat, were kept IN order only by the decided
There now. keep in line. Don't crowd" Of The
kindly polieemen-Oflcers Rogers and Britton-who
defended the barrels and the children alike. Up
the steps al one side they clambered down the cp-
posite. laden with apples. only TO mount the first
flight as soon as possible 10 get a second supply
II was amusing 10 see the perfect good fellowship
existing between them and the big policemen, who
looked away 10 hide the responsive smile that would
come when grmy face grinned up at them as II
appeared for the haf-dozenth time in the line. The
assumed severity Of the officers This is the fifth
time for you; better give somebody else chance"
deferred the little ones only a few moments. Mr.
Lyon and his assistant. Gavin Houston, paid little
attention 10 the small 'repeaters" giving TO them
as often as they came Women and girls held their
aprons and boys took their jackets.
II was pitiful 10 see things in the December
chill. with bare skn showing through tattered cot
ton outer garments. One child had one stocking
and rubbers for foot covering. Some were bare
footed. and most OF them bareheaded. Mr.. Lyon.
always mindful OF his poor. called the attention or
guests OF the society 10 the scant wardrobes, and
urged that clothing, washed and mended. should be
sent 10 the society's rooms No 81 Park Row
one who asked. Why have so many OF them such
affections OF the eyes?" answered Because
they eat the worst food and breathe the worst air
IN which existence can be continued" A tender
hearted young woman bent over a little one whose
eyes were IN bad condition and asked him why
MS moiher old not take him somewhere 10 have
ms eyes cured. tie looked at her with dull sur
Prise as ne answered, My mother don't want To
take me nowhere and hurried away, II
lholshts OF the Gerry Society floating through
MS heao Ills questioner's eyes filled. and she said
enef getlcaly, II / ever have time and money, I'll
make myseit committee eyes and establish
mission just for their treatment" The future
power or SELF support is imperilled by the awful
disease as partial or total blindness must be the
The same ,,ung woman 10 whom # was the
hrst gnHlpse " the slums also commented on the
NUMBER OF children OF school years who were alb
sent from school, and said. II should think there
was some work here for truant officers"
several barrels OF large sound apples were dis
tflouted. ana the park swaFmed with satisfied II
dirty urehins munching the fruit. Mr. Lyon proba-
oly toucheo the heart Of the matter when he said
IL Is not so much the apple. but the Joy OF hav
ing something given 10 them-of having some one
think OF them