New-York tribune., 1908-08-31
CELEBRATE At ASHFORD.
Leap Year Ball for Youngsters Held
at Home on Hill.

There regular after the Dali 1eeif's
yesterday at the Ashford Hi Home of the Tribune
r--esh Air F1,na near Ards1ey on the Putnam divt-
sion OF the New York Central 1t came abou,
through Leap Year dance given on SATURDAY
evening on the veranda Of the main hulloing py
she superintendent. Nearly three hundred and nfty
children took part. The decorations included chi
nose lanterns American flags. and golden rod and
other wild flowers In profuson- The girls wore
we'll 10 tell that would tax the fashion expert oi
the largest department in the city They fthe
sirls) were busy until supper time dressing their
hair and having il dressed according TO the latest
rrlish mode and fussjng with all sorts OF little
feminine finery And Il fnery 10 them Inc
ones with only single change OF gown appeared
neatly trim, and. with pretty. flushed cneehs ana
bright ewes they attractive bevy
The girls had TO choose partners. OF course, ana
ihev did IL with rare discrimination. There were
only ninety girls. and they had over two hunoreo
and fifty boys Of all sorts 10 select partners from
but the boys when inclined to do so. danced TO-
r.ethe- And as for dancing they were the most
finished followers of old Terpischore that ever
sraced g. reranda- This was especially true OF the
girls for had they not, since they could rememoei'
eyrated to the sweet. never out Of measure hand
organs on the East West and North Side avenues
Surely they had and that accounted for the grace
and the lack of self-consciousness. The musc was
furnished by OF the attendants, who performed
on the piano almost but quite. skilfully as a.
Paderewski How the youngsters did long Tor the
New York Juvenile Band. that gave them concert
that was concert some time before this' Tnis
hand was Of thirty pieces and PLAYED 1es as eooo
anvthin'" as a boy expressed it However, the
piano did wonders
M -,,r.ic could coupare in popularity with the
Merry Widow" waltz It fairly took the children
off their feet The waltz and the two-sfep were the
favorites. and there were few other Dances ana
when the last steps had been taken the youngsters
were not too tired give three cheers for the
s,n.rintendent cheers for the Inatron and cheers
for everything. Then they sang several songs ana
soon there were $50 tired little heads on just that
many pillows It was a distinct social success
To conduct a fresh air home that entertains
oyer three hundred new children every two weeks
Is a great task They have just been well trained
when the return journey must be made They are
under perfect discipline almost Immediately aioer
,heir arrival. but there so many things TO DC
managed Just right-narleiy, so that they may
never know that they being managed Inc
SUPERINTENDENT Mr.. Austin, has In his years OF
experience developed system which produces tho
hest results with the least possible friction Inc
DAVIS work is mapped out in advance, ano every
minute of daylight has its amusement ano recfed-
-ion This year japanese were engaged to COOK
and wait on the long of hungry children and
never before has this most difficult part OF the
rnenase been successfully managed Every
sl,inr about the kitchen and In the dining rooms
s sDotlessly clean The same is true OF the dorni-
tories There are three large buildings In use
In two are the dormitories Of the children Ia
the third are the mothers who are sent up win
1teir fabies They are also under Mr. Austin 8
care 1t is a great establishment and when the
children sang on Saturday-many Of them there
for hut 81 few days-there few great cnoruses
which would have sung in better time Ihey knew
the words of each song and hymn: they oheyed
a. ona child tae signals and they enjoyed II all
with a youthful vim remarkable to see-
They play their games with the same Verve' and
Nr Austin said that in the many parties enter
iained there this season there had been nor the
least friction. One threatened at one time
of hove far older than twelve 9nO
a half wears the age limit, had been sent 10 the
home br mistake They had not had the aovan-
1ases of the Fresh Air training and attempted 10
run things TO suit themselves. They tried IL one
evening and that was all They were on theii
way hack to New York City the next morning
.,,Fors F4ill will have entertained over two thou
sand children before the doors are closed for the
season