New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-23
LAST FOR BERKSHIRES.
Party of Ninety-four Boys and Girls
Go to the Hills.

For many years the Berkshire Fresh Air Fund
with headquarters in Pittsfeld. Mass. has pro-
vded hospitality for poor children of New York
City. On Wednesday the last instaIment for this
season TO the BerksRires. numbering ninety-four
boys and girls. was sent by the Tribune Fresh Air
Fund for TWO weeks outing IN that cool region.
The Berkshire Fresh Air Fund has entertained
about four hundred children this summer
From the summit of a hillock at the edge OF
Pittsfield. splendid view may be had of the Fresh
Air country Great reaches OF green fields uadulate
to the edge OF the hills. Back among the thickly
clustered trees on the mountain sides are farms
where the Fresh Air children board. One OF the
ideal spots in the vicinity Of Pittsheld is October
Mountain. Half way up a large farmhouse,
where eight Fresh Air boys romp about and learn
something Of farm life On the crest Of another
mountain is a farm that accommodates a large
number Of boys. The place is fitted up like boys
clubhouse. and in rainy weather the little boarders
amuse themselves with books and games.
Though the places where the children are board
ed far apart, the committee Of the Berkshire
Fresh Air Fund visit each farm and looks after
the welfare OF the guests. physician. who gives
his services free 10 the Fresh Air children, IS al
ways call to attend any child who may be i'll
On one occasion he made a trip Of fourteen miles
pull a tooth for a child suffering from toothache
NO matter how much the children play, there Is al
ways q noticeable gain in flesh their return
They play in the open air all day and eat large
quantities Of the fresh and wholesome food Of the
country, and it is not surprising. one Of the
home plump cartridges"
The improvement in the physical condition OF
the children is particularly noticed when the COM
mittee in charge at the station put their charges
aboard the train The little that the women
took hold OF in helping the children from the car
platform on arrival always to be larger and
rounder when the children depart
The guests OF the Berkshire Fresh Air Fund
have strange ideas of country life and return with
some lasting Impressions Of how things are done
outside the city. on one OF the farms laborer
hired to cut some hay in small patch He
began his work early and used his scythe. A
little Fresh Air girl came out for her romp before
breakfast. and noticed the at his work
house greatly excited and said. "Oh! please do
come quick. There's a big out here In front
knocking down the grass with a stick"
Life in the Berkshires furnishes the children
an abundance Of material for long letters. but
OPPORTUNITIES for play tend TO make the letters
exceedingly brief. Said boy with regard 70
good sport by wriuin' letters yer tell en- all
about when yer git homer" Postals seem TO be
the favorlte mode Of correspondence A sample
OF this method sent by a small girl and
nickel. Please send dime
On the return of a recent party a boy was asked
at the station how he liked the hills he replied,
oh. it's great. A Teller do anything he wants
and the fly cops won't let yer play cat
One OF the larger girls OF a Ptttsheld party eX-
pressed herself in a way that bespoke the feeling
OF an. Said the girl There is only thing the
our fun always has 10 come 10 an end, and it,
terrible long time 10 wait for my next trip.