New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-19
FRESH AIR CHANGES TOTS
Makes Gamins Self-Respecting-
I'm prOUement iR One Boz.

sturdy little boy Of nine years turned around
abruptly on the car platform last night party
OF Tribune Fresh Air Fund children starting
for the country and shouted a 'gCodby" to the
Settlement worker who brought his party TO the
station Il won't have time say goodby when
we get inside cause can't leave my seat. and
amt strong enough TO open the windows. I've
gone away two times already. and I am on 70
them windows"
The bow was with OF the ten parties number
ing three hundred and five children. sent to the
country last night by the Tribune Fresh Air Fund
The obedience and Judgment of the lad attracted
some attention. and the Settlement worker In
charge OF his party asked about him.
Hes rather an unusual child" she said "and
his trips 20 the country with the fresh air parties
have changed him from rough little gamin OF
the streets 10 manly. self-respecting boy recall
an incident that happened two years ago. when he
returned from his first trip with Tribune Fresh
Air Fund party. He arrived Just as the family
were about to eat supper. His father handed him
a pail and told him to buy a quart of beer at a
neighboring saloon. 1 don't want 10 buy that
STUFF said the child. rather sadly cause I am q
temperance bow now. Use taken pledge and God
and Mrs. -- won't like me il I go FOR beer The
father Insisted. with the excuse that one would
be the wiser. whereupon the boy replied that God
knew everything. and If He knew. Mrs. would
surely find II out The continued urging OF the
father engered the boy TO such an extent that he
threw the pail violently the floor and burst into
tears. The parents still drink their beer but the
much but know they proud OF the boys atti-
tude. The little fellow keens well alOof from the
crap gang and has been taken In by a clique OF
the better class of boys at his school. In my eX-
perience have found many cases OF reform that
developed from fresh air trips but the instance OF
this BOYS reform is perhaps the most striking
In another party that started last night was n
chubby little German boy. with shock OF straight
blond hair that shot out in a variety Of tangentS
beneath a small. torn cap. He had large. bright
blue eyes. and wore ceaseless smile. He was
going 10 the country. He had been there once be-
talk much. but he feels a heap" said a country
man waiting for a train.
Are you going to plant buttons this year Gus
tavF said much older companion Last year he
planted some buttons In the country. thinking this
year that he'll find whole suit CROWN when
The smile broadened and the young planter
swayed coyishly- Nav" he replied You tant
fool me. / got a top and I'm going to pin II. L
amt going TO bury buttons Mamma said they
won't grow" AS he pulled the top out OF his
bullying pocket handful OF nails and buttons fell
"Ahl 1 guess there will be some planting after
ALL said the caretaker OF the party. Eth. Gus
tavT His only answer was an increase OF the
perpetual smile.
There's girl with my party" said n Settle
ment worker at the station last night whose life
actually depends this trip of the Tribune Fresh
Air Fund. She Is suffering from general break
down of the nervous system and the doctor told
her people. who are poor that unless they sent
her away she would have small chance To live.
The parents had about given up hope OF getting
place in the country for her when the Tribune
rangements for the girls departure made a,
surprising change has come over her. She is full
of hope. and have no doubt that she will recover
In the quiet of the country"