New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-04
ONE WOM4N'S WORK.
alone Cares for Nine Children Not
Her Oscn.

What, nine children in family, and seven
Of them candidates for fresh-air vacauon!" eX-
claimed one of the workers for the Tribune fund
when told by a missionary regarding some Of her
charges.
Yes. but that is not the remarkable part Of it,.
the missionary said. These children do not be-
long to the woman who is taking care of them
They the children of impoverished relatives.
And this heroic woman is poor the poorest,
but she work, and takes in washing whenever
she get it. Two of the boys, about fourteen
years of age, working, and the little they get
helps out. They live in four rooms. and the rooms
clean any in the tenement house dis
trict'
When the crowded home visited these condi-
tons were found to be true. The seven not at
work were, of course, too young to work. There
were three girls and four boys lined up in ex-
pectant mood when the vacation mentioned
When the verdict favorable there were seven
shouts of Joy and seven voices thanking the fund
worker. The who saying anything
was rubbing her eyes with a of her apron,
and when the moisture faster than the apron
could dry it up she Ian from the room. She re-
turned soon. but her eyes were still suffused and
her voice full of tears 1t was the faithful
guardian of the big brood.
And they Will all go she asked, with note of
doubt in her voice. Yes, all would be taken But,
on, it's good Of you" she cried; good of You,
bless you! Not a penny will it cost? No? And
thank the lady Mike, and YOU Tim. and Alder
come out, all Of YOU. Two weeks in the country!
It's long since I've seen it, but will the children
get care and who will see that Mike isn't hurt?
He's always getting hurried. And who will wash
them and make them go to bed before 10 o'clock?
Sure its lot they will have to do to keep them
in order. And IL they sick? Yes, yes, l won't
be worrying. You viii that they get mothers
care; yes it's that / don't want any one of EN- TO
miss"
She was at her washtub most OF the time while
she talking, and again and again she would
shake her head and mutter something about IL
being almost too good. Earning enough money TO
feed nine hungry children had been task enough
for the woman without the burden of their care.
Then the little help of the two boys came when
they got work and for two weeks she was
to be able to devote all her time 10 her work!
And the marvel OF it that all seven passed
the medical inspectors examination successfully,
and when they Joined the large party for the Ash
ford Hi home there boys and girls there
who were nester. whose clothing was better
patched or cleaner. Nor there any that were
better behaved.
Such devotion as is shown by this woman has
been frequently met with by the Tribune Fresh
Air Fund workers. In times Of exceptional stress
relatives often help their more unfortunate kin in
the practical way shown In the care of the nine
children by the TO whom the Fresh Air
Fund gave the two weeks relief. She in this
instance the recipient of greater benefit than the
children And II Is seldom that the parents OF
children do not experience this retroactive benefit,
thus making the fund work of double effect
The last Of the parties have now gone 70 the
country, and their return Will mark the end of
the Tribune Fresh Air work FOR this season, and
bills for this great relief TO the children of the
tenements will be coming in up to the last day
and for several days thereafter. II is desirable
that these bills should be met promptly In order
that this may be done, contributions should be
sent In now Whatever oversubscription there may
be will be used for next years work. but there Is
still nearly 5000 required to close this season sue
cessfully.