New-York tribune., 1901-08-31
HAPPY TIME ON THE RIVER.
LAST OF THIS YEARS DAY EXCURSIONS
MANAGED BY THE FRESH AIR FUND.

Throughout the summer The Tribune Fresh Air
Fund as the instrument of a who desires that
his name be withheld, has conducted a series Of
day excursions for mothers and children from the
tenement districts of the city. This is the
first year this man has shown his interest in the
poor in this way. For a number of years the fund
has had the pleasure of acting the medium Of
his benefactions in this direction. Twenty-siX of
these day excursions have been held this
mer. and 26611 mothers and children have taken
the outing thus provided.
The last of these outings held Thursday.
and If might Judge from the pleasure it af-
forded the 1857 women and children who pro1ted
by 1t the twenty-six outings have been worth many
times their cost. Mothers and children seemed to
forget their They laughed and danced and
sang as If there two room flats, dark and
noisome Railways. Ill smelling and dirty courtyards
and narrow streets Babies lay their backs and
crowed or slept their mothers knees or in the
oaby carriages which were put aboard for their
convenience, the cool breeze from the wooded
slopes of the Palisades blowing across their faces.
One mother who sat. Turkish fashion, table
with her babe in the hollow of her lap seemed to
enjoy 1t much any She would toss the
little one up and down and then laugh with an
abandon that joyous behold.
The young girls and few of the mothers who
had not forgotten their hand organ dancing days
danced oyfully to the music OF stringed orchestra
and sang when it played some familiar air. such
as Mamie and Annie Moore" This better
dancing music than that OF the street for it
was smoother and there was more of II.
Thursday ideal day for such excursion,
and the barge bore away of the largest parties
of the season The sun shone out of a deep blue
sky which was cloudless. and a steady breeze tenn
pered Old Soils rays. The foliage the hills sop-
ing up from the Hudson's banks green and
shimmering in the clear atmosphere. The start
was made from East Sixty-third-st shortly after
2 o'clock. and Excelsior Grove opposite Yonkers
was reached about o'clock On the way up the
river all on board were treated TO milk and cakes
SIX hundred quarts of milk and three barrels of
lemon havored cakes had been put aboard before
the trip was begun for this feature of the outing
Inc picnic grove was on par with the rest of the
excursion. and altogether delightful place. II
had cool. wOodsy smell, and a covered pavilion
gave an opportunity for rest and also for dancing
As soon as the boat landed the small boys betook
themselves with all speed the river side, where
they hastily stripped and plunged in About 5
o CLOCK the barge started back, and more milk and
cakes were distributed In the early evening the
barge tied up alongside the home pier and the
women and children went home tired but happy
One Of the things which has made these excursions
so enjoyable has been the interest which those who
nave charge of the various details have had In see
ing that every one had good time. One Of these
Is Patrolman O'Maley. who has been detailed TO
these excursions for three years because of his
personal interest in them.