New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-25
LIFE IN HAPPY LAND.
ONE WONAN'S CHARITY.
Where Some Children Are Sent by
The Tribune Fresh dir Fund.


Out at Tenafy N J.. party Of fifty small chill
dren from the tenement quarters OF New-York are
enjoying fortnighrs outing in the country Al
though this party is sent out by The Tribune Fresh
Air Fund fl is supported entirely by the bounty OF
wealthy woman. other parties have been
throughout the summer season for eight years now
This is Mrs. John s Lyle OF Tenafy-
Up the hillside above the village Is her beauti
full country home. a large house surrounded BY
many acres Of wooded lawns with winding walks
and drfveways. and just beyond It. commanding an
extensive view OF the country. stands Happy Land.
a magnificent summer home for the city children
built by Mrs Lyle expressly for this purpose
About nine years following out her plan o.
spending her money for good purposes while living
Mrs. Lyle conceived the idea OF supporting fresh
air home for Tribune Fresh Air children. she ac-
cordngly built Happy Land. a new building In
which the exact convenlenees for such purpose
insured. and the grounds are so near her home
that she is able to supervise the work in person
The house IS large. three story wooden structure.
overlooking a wide stretch o. beautiful country In
its fore centre IS large. square tower. hanked on
either side by smaller round turrets. from whose
windows the best views obtained A wide piazza
surrounds the house three sides. on which the
children have room TO ronp when rain keeps them
from the yard
THE GROUNDS OF HAPPY LAND
Around the house is a yard Of nearly seven acres.
This is shaded with naples. plane trees. chestnuts
and oaks. and furnished with arbors. swings.
1Ogge'' boards and other cODtriVanCeS 70 an1ISe
the visitors. semi-crcular drive the front
lawn In appearance the place looks ike fire
private country home Within the house Is airy,
roony and convenient. The large Office. chapel
dining room. kitchen and pantry the lower
floor. On the second and third floors bathrooms
and dorrnitorfes. In the rear Is a hospital ward,
where the children may be Isolated in case OF need
The children at Happy Land well cared for
during their stay. Miss Scott. the matror. has
efficient corp OF helpers Various arnusements
are contrfved to keep the small visitors from home
sickness The playground. with IT'S swings and
"jogge'' boards keeps them occupied a large share
Of the time Then they get one-haf days stage ride
and one picnic during their two weeks stay They
also take long walks with the caretakers and are
allowed occasional visits to the private grounds %
Mrs Lyle. Accustomed they to the narrow
limits Of brick walls and rented apartments the eI
tensive estate Of this good woman Ills them with
amazernent. Said little girl the other day 70
attendant:
Does Mrs. Lyle own all this land and this
house,
Yes"
"And all these trees and flowers
Yes"
And these chickens and everything
Yes. Everything around here
Ny! Amt she got it easy exclaimed the awe
struck child
Nor is Mrs. Lyle the kind OF philanthropist who
dispenses charity from a distance Every morn
ing she visits Happy Land. sees that the Children
having good time. and often spends hours
AZ
She has at her home large assortment OF toys
and many homesick little one has been made
happy by gift direct from the hand Of Mrs. Lyle
herself
CHILDREN FROM TWO PARISHES
The party now at Happy Land consists mostly
Of children from St Luke's and ST. Johns parishes.
with few from the Church Of the Redeemer at
Astoria Sister Dorothy. OF St Johns. has chargs
OF the party as a guest Of Mrs Lyle. and is
sisted by caretakers- Sister Dorothy said the
other day:
peculiar benefit Of Mrs LyIe-s kindness is
Of children who would otherwise have opDor-
tunify TO get to the country They are most de-
fly in particular that IS represented here II con-
all nine Of them living in three rooms. IN base
ment at that They are English people. honest
excepting this This they did not ask for The
these children are very profane. know OF fanni-
Hes with good mothers. in which the children are
have some ne trouble boGt that the Tst two Or Tires
days Of visit, but they soon drop the habit out
know some instances where permanent improve
the beaT @y as to S S Is f ST TGF at h to @
csFon ne re- befn oTereS a5d having The oTdeTz
enforced by blows. and il is often two or three
do promptly. But kindness effects this also,
ALI. EARLY TO BED.
We have the greatest difficulty at first in getting
the children to bed at reasonable hour. At home
we send most OF them to bed at p So strong
is the feeling in this respect that parents
actually refused TO let their children go this year.
saying that they did not want them to bed
early. There is only child here who is IN
bed before 10 when at homo This rainy weather
has kept busy amusing them indoors. There il
a little tendency to hOnesirkness among a few Of
the youngest. but have kept il down pretty
well Sunday took boys TO church in the
stage "a real funeral hack" as they called IL
We have Sunday school tr orr little assembly
room every week also
The best of food. and plenty OF il. is given
the children Happy Land and the amount OF
it they make away with in he course Of a day is
amazing Each child is allowed a quart rich
milk day az meals They also have good meat
cereals. vegetables and dessert "A meals be
sides plenty Of fresh fruit To deprive a child OF
dessert at meals Is the worst punishment that can
be given him.
1T Is much more satisfactory working for chill
than for grown people" said Mrs LYLE They
much more responsive. and more marked
suits obtained at this piiabe age
On August . the fortnight visits end. and party
Of crippled children VIII occupy Happy Land FOR
the rest Of the season The six weeks stay gives
to these little unfortunate children a good chance
to recuperate. and they return a me end OF Sep
TENDER greatly improved in health.
Z