New-York tribune., 1903-07-25
ASK FOR THREE WEEKS.
Fresh dir Children Send IN Petition
for More Yacation.

The Tribune Fresh Air Fund heard from the
"".i9 ~ at IlaFeraeK yesterday in the shape OF
PeIluon from tie children, worded and written by
one Of the little girls. It was as follows:
Ny Dear Mr., Parsons: Tomorrow we leave hero
rot YOU make II f6ra STAY , another week Could
and lawn party and we go bathing every day
the Old Man Of ths Mountain Io ssee6 ss3 w we 6 can &
can see the Catskiils from this place orr flag
be from ali around PGTns Peases a and @ sagfe m conan
longer? Thank You veT Ver cb may f3r we stay
] cs inns ~ year, ar " would be very glad to have you
FRESH AIR PARTY AT C,I.AyEFA Ac,t5 FROM
WEST SIDE SETTLEMENT.
This is a sample of letters received Frequently
from grateful little guests-grateful and at the
same time eager for more. Another little girl at
Claverack who spends her spare time writing
pays stories and other infant attempts at lit
eTature. has promised TO send The Tribune his
tory Of two weeks Claverack. The article Is of
course, awaited with much interest
1t Is unfortunate that some of these children can
not have the opportunity of staying longer than
the regular two weeks in the much-loved country
Such Is the case Of three sent TO AIiegany N. Y
recently. These we'll behaved little peorIe
dsat, six and four years old, and fortunate in
being entertained at the homes OF some kind peo-
pie on farm near the town When the time ap-
preached for departure the little guests begged
for permission to remain
investigation showed how worthy they were Of
the kindness. They supported at home by a
consumptive mother. who works at a bakery all
day. Their father is a drunkard and has fire.
quently threatened TO kill them. Now It seems
that the mother is about TO enter sanatoriun.
where the church IS sending her. and the children
really have no home.
AT first these little waits were afraid of the men
at the farmhouse and could scarcely eat in their
az home Graduaiy. howe1eT they learned 10 9n
deTstand the unfamiliar kindness and at last told
the story Of their home life. Now they are anx-
loLs TO stay with the good country people.
Fifty boys started for St Helens HCme. at In
terlocken, Mass. yesterday morning, giving their
yell with great enthusiasm TIE train moved out
This completes the company at that place for
this fortnight. EiShty-four also started on tne
Sandy Hook boat for Chapel HILL to enjoy the
cooling breezes OF Monmouth Heights. in place Of
the company just returned.
A company OF 146 went 10 Ashford Hill in the
afternoon, completing the number of 800 at that
point. In The company that went there yesterday
small for their age. With them was a brother Of
eleven years and sister Of twelve who had charge
of the group. In this family are eight children
The mother died year ago, and since then the
little girl only twelve years old. has been caring
for the family. An aunt of theirs comes IN oc~
casIonalIy to look after them out on the whole
will relieve the tension considerably. There were
happier children in the company than the two
babies Of this group as they toddled out to the
train. 80,
There are several cases of small mothers like
the above which have come within reach OF the
fund recently. In another instance q family OF nVe
father is IN the hospital and the mother dead IN
still another instance d child of twelve is caring
for four brothers and sisters; Thelr nother Is
slsO dead and the father is on the lSflnd.
After all said missionary the other DAY, tne
most pathetic cases are not those where the chill
dren look the worst, but those who in the midst of
the struggling. mothers who have aspirations for
higher things