New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-06-19
THE CHILDREN'S CHANCE.
Tribune Fresh dir Fund RescueS
Manu Little Ones.

For ten wears the Tribune Fresh Air Fund has
been sending children to be entertained by the
people Of Aiddletown and Goshen. n. Y. This year
again the funds first party Of the season has gone
for two weeks outing among the hills Of Orange
County.
Practical and helpful as all phases of the fresh
air work everywhere, nowhere is this more true
than In Middetown and Goshen. Here poor chill
dren of the crowded tenements, who have been SUI
tering from Illness through the winter get fight
ing chance for their lives in the fresh air of the
country. Many child his life to the outing at
the big country house at Mechanicstown. between
Middletown and Goshen, the place provided by the
association of citizens Of the two towns Tor the
entertainment Of their little guests.
The idea started by of the physicians Of
Aiddletown. He proposed to provide fresh air for
convaescents only. The association was accord
fnsiy formed. a house secured, attendants were
hired and the work has been carried on along these
lines with great since.
Out on the Middletown- Goshen trolley line is the
old fashioned home of Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas South
well, with whom the association boards its little
guests. The house is one hundred years old origl-
naly a wayside inn, with the departure of the stage
coach days it was converted into home. 1t stands
back of a roomy lawn, bordered with Towering
plants and has spacious garden. In the rear is a
rambling old orchard. the natural playground OF
boyhood fitted with swings hammocks. "teeters
and big tent for rainy weather. From here we'll
beaten path leads through the bushes to the old
swimmin' hole" in the creek.
Mr. Southwell told with a chuckle Of how group
of boys summer wanted more water in the
swimming hole. They went TO the dam above and
opened the sluice gate. They got high tide" all
right but incidentally they started the machinery
Of the glove mill by and nearly ruined it. Even
convalescent boys can be mischievous
The presiding genius of the little household Is
Miss NJ. A. Mann. who is employed by the Tribune
Fresh Air Fund to look after the children She
attends them play and at meals, sees them to bed
and up again. Judging from the way the children
of last year greeted her their return this year
she has her way to their hearts.
When the Tribune visitor arrived last Wednesday.
the little party Of twenty at the first meal
There was a display of delicious home grown straw
berries slices Of bread and butter rich Orange
County milk and chocolate cake delicious enough
to tempt the appeIte ct ore in this partv Is
little Elizabeth Kerchoff, who has been at Me-
6ropsy' and was not expected to live when she rst
went there Now she is nearly well Anotne5 enid
This is her second summer here me people VINO VINO
would receive her again for fear she would die
Many OF the children kept longer than the two
weeks if their condition requires it, some staying all
summer Provision is made for the extra ones SO
that twenty additional children come VIII etcn
regular party just the same Six Of these parties are
Wid5letown and Goshen are prosperous little
ufacturing towns. the former of about 10000 and
wealthy residents. ana = la To- hi work The
than is needed Last season s,259 SO raised. Of
which $500 20 was left over This already more
than 500 has been provided and many plans are on
foot in the way of entertainments to raise more
line ~ there viii be a farce in Linden Hail. Middle
town under the direction of Miss AmbIer 10 raise
money for this work The churches vie with one an
other in contributing, and even the big hotels In the
neighboring mountains join in.
treatment TO the children. The trolley company
gave each party q free ride, anG AcMonagis i "a
Ropers provided free soda water Services are held
an the home each Sunday by the various pastors
The Officers Of the association for this year are:
President A B. Hurtin. Of Middetown; Vlce.presl-
dent A C Wheeler, of Goshen secretary, w, w.
Siarl, Of Middletowri treasurer; DR.. Z. @. Parker
of Goshen; manager H W. Tuthil. Of Middle