New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-06-24
TWELVE YOUNG BROoKLYNITEs REvEL IN
THE JOYS OF LIFE ON A FARM

half dozen barefocted boys and girls stood in
boat swing in the backyard OF a farmhouse al
Mechanicstown, n. Y. at $50 p. m. by the clock
last Wednesday afternoon. singing:
Take off your shoes and stockings
ana let your feet go bare:
Sn Sir lcse kf qhem e eRdrP PjSfS9s
For all the boys of Columbia Place
wouldn't touch us If they dare.
The singers Of this doggerel with its ingram
NAUTICAL ending were part Of n company Of
twelve Fresh Air children from Brooklyn who five
or ten minutes before had leaped from a Middle
town-Goshen trolley with their belongings 70
spend two weeks in the country. The verse. com
posed by some Of the boys living in the neiehbor-
hood of Columbia Place. Brooklyn. is supposed TO
De a battle song intimating hat in the face OF
their enemies the Columbia Place boys would not
dare thrown down broken glass a substance IN
comfortable 10 bare feet
The party which went out over the Erie Rail-
road TO Middetown on Wednesday was fun Of
spirits. Nine Of the twelve comprising II were
boys fresh from the public school and the pros-
pecttve outing had put them in fine feather. The
choppy surface of the North River. the clatter OF
the train over the numerous switches Of the rail-
road yard at Jersey City, which caused one par
ticuiarly lively boy to remark: My aren't we
going fast; the sudden eclipse OF day by tunnel
which nonplussed the children: the curling smoke
from piles Of burning ties beside the railroad track
all had an Interest
Il wish was ont there" remarked one as the
train swept through bit OF Woodland.
Why"
There's whole lot Of daisies there, was the
reply.
AT Middleown a trolley car was boarded for
Aechanicsiown two miles away and the children
enjoyed the tanning OF the fresh air against their
faces az the car swept along There were flowers
everywhere. The yards full Of rosebt!shes
which seemed TO have bloomed 70 welcome tho
children, SO full were they of old fashioned roses
in their prime.
When the car stopped at the three story farm
buttercups beside the road. They literally ion
upon them as they tried 10 grab them by the
handful Within FIVE minutes from the time ,hay
arrived they were in the swings and PLAYING han In
me backyard They tore of their shoes nd stock
ings, ana started for the brook by where they
perry, round stones. Soon II was supper time. The
meal was begun with grace sung by all After
supper there was more bail playing. until dark
when the caildren were put 10 bed for their first
night in the country.
The party the first OF several that will 90
in the course OF the season to be entertained 5v
the people Of Mlddletown md Cioschen who have
organized the Middletown- Goshen Convalescent
ChiIdrens Home for this purpose. For several
years the people of these two towns have had
growing interest IN the children Of New York who
without assistance get into the country for
the health giving fresh air. Each year they have
entertained at farm house parties OF children
all the churches of the towns assist in raising
the necessary money. The trolley road gives each
between Middetown and Goshen. where they have
the privileges Of the merry go rounds, swings.
boats etc. Lawn parties and rides about the
country given for them, and the clergvnen
alternate in holding services at the home on sun
days. The people particularly enthusiastic
in their efforts this year The officers of the
Atwell. secretary; DR. f. G. Barker treasurer, and
Harry w. futile manager