New-York tribune., 1908-08-24

Fresh Air Fund called upon the Rev Vincent Ravi.
of the Congregational Church at Manchester. Mr..
Raw heard of the needs OF the poor in this city
with rapt attention. Then, mpulsively, he said
that the people Of Manchester would take care OF
fifty boy. for two weeks. Then he tackled the
problem of providing their entertainment within
that time
Mr.. Raw did rot lack help The Rev Mr. Nc
Cready. OF the Baptist church. and Father Kelley.
a Catholic priest, Joined In at once. Nearly
everybody told Mr.. Raw that house large enough
could not be obtained. but he got one that an
swered all purposes 1t was empty farmhouse
Of seventeen rooms, standing IN large field. an
ideal place C. P Walker OF Manchester depot.
gave this place freely. The house had to be fur
nished The task seemed to grow onerous. but the
money began to come IN in larger and larger
amounts. 1t possible to buy springs and mar
tresses. pillows and other bedding. also chairs and
then those who interested in the work gave
towels, additional bedding and other accessories
So far housing concerned, everything was
ready for the visitors
Then came the problem OF the cornmissarist- It
would be impossible to get the necessary help 70
run the big place. many said; but in few days
three helpers engaged. and two caretakers
sent on from New York by the fund More
money came in and also pledges for provisions and
everything in readiness time The boys
arrived Tho town turned out to greet them and
escorted them to the farm was all an experiment
for the Manchester folk. but they had prepared
wisely. The fifty loaves OF bread and fifty quarts
milk that had been provided for daily were not
too many They disappeared like magic. The chill
dren were especially fond Of milk was evidenced
when they were asked what they preferrerd
food They equally divided between ice cream
and milk.
The piazza of the house decorated with
American flags This was a favorite place of
rest for the boys Three the first floor
were used for dining. and the long tables were
covered with white oilcloth The kitchen was
beyond The bedrooms were all upstairs. light
ed with many windows AS the boys entered
these rooms for the first time there were shouts
Of Look at the beds, See the windows, I've
got three windows IN my roomt' In the rear OF
the house long bench was placed. and there
the boys washed themselves They divided
in squads of ten washing time
On the first Sunday morning those among the
boys who Catholics went mass at $50
o'clock OF their own accord At II o'clock. again
Of their free Will, they all assembled in the Con-
gregational Church and took part in the services
there Late in the afternoon the young people
Of the Baptist Church went to the Fresh Air
home and held an open air song service for the
boys. The boys all gladly attended They had
had such good time in other ways that they
eager TO spend Sunday in the way the Man
chester church folk spent the day. These had
given the boys nearly all the pleasures they had
enjoyed Two swing chairs were placed on the
grounds. Baseballs and bats were provided. also
footballs As for popcorn. fee cream and excur-
sions into the surrounding country, they were
given almost daily
Near the place is the BattenkiI River which
is shallow. There the boys went in swimming
frequently. In the woods are berries. rather
were berries for the boys made the supply nearly
run out The whole expense Of this outing. ex-
elusive of the amount paia(b BY the Tribune Fresh
Air Fund for transportation. will be about s325-
OF course this Is much larger than it will be
next year when the springs and mattresses will
in and OIL eY he Uni
mated And so pleased the people OF Man
chester with the boys. with their evident i'm
provenent in every way. that they will want them
or others again next year