Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-06-25
FREsH-AlR FUND.
what the Boston Society IL Doing for
the Suffering Poor.


at this summer Is az hot as last, ] shall
simply die"
These words fell from the lips of 3
middle aged woman one sunny morning
last April. Why did she look forward
with dread TO the beautiful summer daysS
Did she expect to spend them in a great
city, solling IN shop, or kitchen, or lsnndry9
Had she little children whose only play
ground was the paved street and who, on
Sitting nights, perched on the fire-escape
for a breath Of ARR BY no meanss
This woman spent the months from
May to October In the country. Her food
was cooked for her. She sat on shady
piazza, clad in fresh, dainty garments
She took daily drives through fragrant
woods or by the murmuring sea. She
slept at night In a room kept cool by an
electric fan. Yet this was the person who
declared that she would "simply die II
the mercury climbed to q higher notch
than usual
Suppose she should change places, for q
single day, with some respectable, hard
working mother who never leaves the city,
but iabors uncomplainingIy, week in and
week out, grateful II her children may
occasionally escape from the oppressive
noise and heat. Would not the lady Of
leisure then appreciate the blessed work OF
the Fresh-Air fandf
One no Is In q position to know said
lately; "Life In the tenement house dis
tricts bodies III for the sum mer's rate Of
mortality. For with the present high
prices of living. many thousands herded
away In the tencments will be I'll nonrished
and unable TO face the summer heats. I"
Here Is an additional reason for making
an appeal more urgent than usual
The simplest form of ministry during
the summer 10 trolley ride. Then there
are trips down the bay to Franklin park
or to Nsntasket. But the browning Joy
comes 10 those who are permitted to spend
two weeks at Rosemary cottage in Eliot,
Me.
Go with us through a narrow street.
There Is not a blade Of grass nor q tree
anywhere TO be seen; nothing but brick
walls. We enter a home. A sickly, dis
couraged-lcoking woman meets us. In
three rooms live father, mother and six
children; their support 10 q week.
The mother and children were invited
to Rosemary cottage for two weeks.
Can any OF ns understand ~hat that
meant TO this famiiys The mother, with
tears OF gratitude In her eyes, said: "I,
seems too good TO be trnei ! prayed les,
night tina, God would help me, for II did
not sesm ~ " could suffer this way and
live" Hsr prayer WAS answered.
For this vacation OF mother or child
the modest sum OF ~ covers tho entire
cost OF transportation and board.
Lack OF employment IL often the keenest
trial In the life OF the worthy poor. Take
typical case. The father was sober and
industrious, but had been out OF work for
six months. There were Eve children,
one blind cripple. the oldest twelve. aud
and the youngest an infant OF three weeks
The discouraged mother said: "How IL can
be so very hard for an honest man who 6
willing to work TO get his living In this
country whers there are so many rich peo-
pie and so much money, eanno, under
stand" She and the children spent two
weeks at Rosemary, and during their
absence the father found employment
The wife came back refreshed In body and
spirit, and gratefully remarked: II feel
strong enough now TO do my work. :"
Does II pay, think you, to put new life and
hope into home like thaif
The native place of the guests at RISE
mary shows that its ministry Is to thore
who constitute the best material for the
making OF American citizens. or 1870,
or were born In Boston or Mss.achu-
setts, and fifiy-three ia the other New
England states. The next ia gest numbe
was 10 in New Brunswick, los In Scot
isna, ninety mine In England, forty-eight
in Scandinavia aud shirty-three in Ger
many.
Therefore an appeal IL made to the
earnest people who are king for civic
Righteousness, as well as to those who
believe in Christian philanthropy, for con-
iributions to the Fresh Air fund.
Contributions sent 10 ID. w. waldron.
ii Bescon street, room COZ. Boston, will be
promptly acknowledged.