New-York tribune., 1907-08-02
THE MOTHERS COTTAGE
kindergarten Clubs Pro0ide Place
for CkIGren,s Comfort.

Observing people on the return journey from
Coney Island hardly fail 10 be distressed ~
the sight OF the children. Some are peeVish and
cross and all are evidently worn to death with eN-
citernent and going about. The sea oreezes seem
have done them little good, and on the Whoie
the observer is inclined 10 think that they. with
their equally weary mothers would have peen
much better at home. These things, combined
with the Objectionable moral influence OF Foney,
Were borne in upon the mind of Mrs. Fanniebelle
Curtis. director OF public school kinders&rlens IN
the Borough OF Brooklyn, about year ago, and the
result is a charming little cottage on Sea Breeze
Rvenue where the members Of the mothers cldbs
connected with the kndersar-=Tls can bring ihe!r
children and spend delightful days. afaT from the
noise and confusion that have made the fame OF
Conev Island and with all and more than the
coaVerieisCeS OF home.
AS a matter Of fact the place is home. The
house is the property OF the mothers, who were
quick 10 the possibilities Of Miss curts's idea
ard ali the attendance and other necessities have
been paid for by them. II is an expensive little
rlace for ground rent at Coney IS small, al
Though the mothers get very advantageous ar
ransenent. and even q tiny cottage If equipped
with all modern conTenie1lces, cannot be had Tor
nothing But there are about hundred mothers
clubs, and small contributions mount up to
something quite substantial when they are multi
zlied by hundred
The cottage. which IS located just behind the
City Park is q portable one. which be folded
I'd and put away the end of the season. and the
mothers ali say they wish they could have one
like il their very The exposed woodwork
and the paper walls stained dark brown, and
the hired man. Paul Murtha. is busy pointing all
The furniture green. Even the water bucket has
been treated TO q coat. that IT can be Used to
put flowers il.
The hired man is thirteen years old He comes
from Greenpoint o'clock every morning, stays
until the cottage closes at T. and Works hke a
Trojan all day; but he thinks it is all play or SO
she manager, Miss Elizabeth A Woodward. gath
cred when he said to her:
.-Fd rather do this than work"
We simply couldn't get without Paul" said
Miss Woodward. Hes SO reliable
The main room OF the cottage is about II by ID
feet. There are veranda in front and a little
latchenetle the back, with SINK where the
children can wash their hands toilet necessities
Including towels of tissue paper. which can be
.hrow1a away when used once. and an oil stove.
where the mothers heat milk for the babies
In few days there Will be gas stove. as one mas
been presented 20 the mothers, and then the OIL
stove will be taken outdoors 10 make tea on Tea
SIS TO be served every day from noon on. ana the
mothers VIII take turns in making and dispensing
81 at three
Al ths back OF ttae cottage are some lines where
little stockings Inadvertently clipped In the water
can pe dried, Gn6 at one SIDE are Two or tiEee
tents with hanmocks and chairs. There IS also
milk stand where Paul dispenses steriized milk 10
al those over ten years OF age at two cents eiss
f-l,tfSren under tsn get milk tickets and can gel
their first glass OF milk without paying 1or IL
Under the couch in the sitting room are gas balls
and rackets paiis shovels and other toys and the
mothers have these fer their cAaIen py ue;
r,ositine the price of the article, which Is. o.
course refunded when they bring It back IneEt
-pas some talk having sand pile for the httis
soIks bu. the children delighted SO in the grass
sud the clover OF the really spacious grounds ina
eand seemed euperiuous particularly with plenty
Ct sand on the beach On the beautiful lawn tne
children play the kindergarten games under ul'
direction Of Miss Woodward and hey assistants
The mothers and children are visiting the cot'as'
at the rate OF about one hundred a day, except ol
Wednesdays and Thursdays when they come II
<douhla that number The washing ana ironing
aaays been done by that time. and the week-eiiS
work has not Yet begun 10 loom Up on the hof1Zoh
son the opening day. July 10. there weTa 54S lSu
s9.,ere has never been any crowding. because In'
cottage IS used only headquarters Lne
.uoters come there 10 heat milk for the bapes
buy milk and tea. TO get ice water ana 10 VIZ
che little folks faces and clean them I'D pe1or>
starting for home. Those who Wish to spend Us
,<say in the tents the lawn co SO. but tho naa
ssority go over 20 the beach, where the city pro
.ytdee tents and where every one IS very fno u
Che wearers OF the red ribbon badges OK the KIN
,ds,gHyten mothers clubs