New-York tribune., 1904-08-25
CHILDREN At ST. HELEN'S.
Good Times at Fresh dir Home
4mOng BerkshireS.


Fresh Air Fund children were ready TO leave St
Helen's. at Interlacken, Mass for this city
ooV began 10 Sob He waited until the last child
was put aboard the wagon and then ran to the
superintendent, saying: "Oh. please let me stay
Two weeks longer. 1 know there won't be room
mere when the other fellows come but I'll sleep on
Nie uoor mat, and eat my dinner the porch, Il
you "lI4 only let me stay. Please. can't stay"
The feeling expressed by this boy is felt by every
one that leaves st. Helens. but the majority OF
children are plucky enough to conceal it. They
4o'ee down the inevitable lamp that rises IN their
thFoats. and leave with cheer and promises to
return.
Any place in the country is better than the
Ei4ihy 'enenents OF the city, but the delights Of
81 Heiens are so varied and genuine 1t is doubIy
nato lor the little guests to leave them. St.
hs T1tieh Is the name Of place in the Berkshire
r1lAs where five hundred poor children of New
York City are entertained throughout the summer
as the guests OF John +. Parsons The place ac-
commodities one hundred children at a time and
p4Fues are entertained every two weeks Mr. Par
sons provides everything that the children could
"iSh Tor and employs enthusiastic and com
Ps'ent stan Of college and women to help
amuse his little guests.
-, He!ens said recent visitor appears to
me Ike we'll kept military post where the CHIEF
oIP'I't"h OF the little army consists Of making
ueaperl1e charges on the breastworks of fun and
sklIful manoeuvres in the disDosns OF wholesome
food" %
me 'ne children have all the freedom they wish
lOF' Ihere Is mild form Of military discipline en-
IoFced at meal time. bell is r,Ing at o'clock in
the morning, and at o'clock they all assemble in
front u the main building. They are divided into
oiiailes and sergeants, who Fresh Air chill
o'eh' make a thorough inspection OF the ranks
alter . orlef drill, in which the American flag is
'a'7eu' the children march in single file 10 their
pices III the dining room. A short prayer Is said
ana the little folk take breakfast in silence The
meals are varied every day There is no limit
p11'e1 on the amount Of food that may be asked
ior' except when child eats than is good for
NH Inc forenoon is spent in playing games under
the direction OF the caretakers and in the after
noon the merry Fresh Air party. armed with bath
ING SUITS, goes for a swim in Stockbridge Bowl
me i9Ae mas sloping beach and shallow water for
beginners, and many children have returned TO the
C1ly win the proud satisfaction Of having learned
to swim
Just before sunset the children line up for milf
tary drill and, led by two drurmers and drum
major march around a triangular lawn The drum
major OF the present inslament is splendid spect-
men ~ sturdy Scotchman. He is proud OF his
olstlhouon' and would not smile while duty for
th7 "hole Of Interlacken. a hagpole stands in
tle 4a"ns centre and around the pole the grim
drum major leads his column to a halt. on a sig
nal from the superintendent heads barred.
hundred pairs OF bright eyes turn skyward to the
tag and the pledge Of allegiance Is given. While
the HttIe people sing the national anthem the flag
is hauled down and a bugler plays taps" 1t is
not an uncommon thing FOR travellers stop the
road and their heads through the exercises
The Berkshire Hills are studded with the beaut-
fui homes of wealthy people. Great varieties OF
uxuriant foliage the land. Cool breezes blow
constantly. and clear streams and lakes are at
every It is In the most desirable spot In this
section that John E Parsons established the little
paradise for poor children. The home Inter
Iacken consists Of two large buildings. The larger
is used for the girls dormitores, attendants
rooms. dining room and kitchen. The smaller one
shelters the boys
Romping about and swimming not the only
form OF amusement At St Helen's. Entertain
ments. hay rides. camping parties. picnics, magic
lantern shows. ice cream parties and fishing trips
among the methods of making happy the
guests al Interlaken. The III charge are
deft in making costumes. and many pictures from
Shakespeare plays have been presented through
their efforts.
modified version Of Babes in ToyIand' is
be given by the Fresh Air children on Labor Day
Rehearsals have been in progress. and the little
actors well with their lines and stage busI-
ness. It seems almost impossible to ride through
the neighborhood OF Interiaken without meeting
q sign which reads Don't Forget Labor Day
Babes IN Toylsnd' at ST. Heen's."
John W Mcconnell is in charge of St Helens
Miss George Gordon Is the house mother They
are assisted IN caring for the children by Miss
Fanny Lois Van Ingen. Miss Clara Hetschel Fran
els II. Ewing AID Arthur Hull
"Our work with the Fresh Air children IL a source
If unlimited pleasure" said Mr.. Mcconnell last
week when the home was visited They al kRo"
do ANYTHING that they think will disPlease Us
gested place where one would LOOK IoT sellsn
traits there is a surprising lack OF selhshuess
among the boys and girls who come 70 St Helen :
I recall an incident that happened last week whlch
illustrates the thoughtfulness Of Fresh Air chaTen
Al old man passed the home one morning ana teil
fainting by the roadside. In an instant he was
surrounded by thirty children. VINO heIPed
him 10 a seat and offered to do anything possible
70 assist him one girl was So touched with plty
FOR me old fellow that she offered him a dime,
which was all the money she mad II Was an eA-
annie Of the unstrained quality Of mercy. 49,.
Sitting among a group or boys recently snd
"a xing with them about their life in the city Mr.
NTcConnell suddenly said one little lad. Nhat
Is your nationality, my son2' Without a second
hesitation the boy replied IN one breath / am an
American but I'm of Irish percent:
one of the attendants heard a loud cnatter IN
the girls dorrnitory one morning. and dlscoVerei
girl forbidding her younger sister 10 go pare
foot said the older child. Under no considera-
tior vii I allow you to go without your shoes
went barefoot; now look AT my feet DID you ever
see anything hatter or bigger insist that you
mt on your shoes and lace them up Ight so that
j rorhing finer than a high instep 10 Wnat tel
Won and some day you may De an actress IKE
aunty." ,-.o- 5oas m, snara Q.
IIele1,e All the summer beauty that the children
Sc now is srnothered then under deep SHOWS, out
bI1ddIed up in their chilly homes in the tenement
houses the children i've over again III Le44OS ''4e
good times at InteTlakeh