The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-05-24
NEW YORK LETTER


New York, May 22--There are no
buster persons in New York now
than those connected with the organi-
Eations which are planning to take the
poor women and children to the sea-
coast or to the country where they
can see real COW or a field of dais-
les and buttercups, get a whiff OF
fresh air and a bath In the sunshine.
There are more than seventy organi-
cations representing fresh air homes
or a fund to pay board and trans
portation of persons in need of an
fore that none of the poor need be
overlooked in the vacation schedule,
but according to the latest census
returns there are 1.053,000 children
under the age Of fifteen in New York
city, and at guess half that num-
ber belong to the class which takes
only the briefest vacation or none
at all, very large percentage rep
resenting the crowded tenement dis
trlcts of Manhattan. Contrasted with
these figures the list Of fresh air
benevolence shrinks, especially when
II is considered that host of moth
ers must be got out OF town, too. II
their little ones are to be saved.
1t is notable that among the 4,000,-
600 persons in New York there is
none who is doing this sort of char
ity work that for years made Thorn
as Brennan beloved by uncounted
thousands. big Tom" az he was
known affectionately by those who
were the objects Of his kind solicit
tude and those looked on admiringly
while he gladdened the hearts of
hosts OF poor folks in the city. was
not a very wealthy man, but from his
comparatively meager pile he, gave
most bountifully. His peculiar hobby
was taking poor women and children
away from the crowded. noissome
quarters on holidays and out to the
sea coast or into the country. Char
tering a steamer or a train. Brennan
would go among the poor on the east
upon scores, ticket which told them !
where to take the boat or the train,
and how they could spend the day
as his guests with lots to eat and |
many games TO play, and music, and
fishing tackle for all who wanted to |
cast n line. and bathing suits tor
those who wanted TO swim.
Time after time each summer Bren-
nan escorted thousands OF ragged,
happy youngsters out into the open
spaces, many of them accompanied by
tired looking mothers who smiled
happily when they saw their children
around the big, iovial man,
who had brought so much Of Joy
into their lives. And more than few
lines Brennan would slip a $40 bill
INTO the hand OF some woman who
ooked as though she needed new
iress, and never would he wait TO
hear the outpouring Of thanks or to
tee the grateful tears that fol-
owed. The peculiar feature of Bren-
lan's charity was that II had no tinge
4 politics in II. There is the Tim
THY ID. Sullivan association which
low takes thousands OF poor people
IN excursions in the summer but {
hose who go are those who live in
he district where Sullivan or his ma I
hine wants support and whose rela- {
Ives have yotes-at least one apiece.
But Brennan favored no district. !
ie sought to gain nothing but a look !
nto happy, IL dirty, faces. and TO {
iako life's burden a little lighter for
few. AS he went abont the city q
hen he was commissioner Of charl- I
les and saw a family that needed 1
II outing, that family got an invita- 7
on TO his next excursion and there c
'as no string attached to II. And Il
hen the day arrived the one jovial, Il
Itherly touch OF Brennan made all O
board akin, though perhaps all were n
rangers to the majority, As has been n
lid, there is no individual In New 4
ork doing this sort Of work for the =
Dor now-and no millionaire Is CIV Il
* from his hoard 1.-THE for this n
purpose. II