New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-02
JOYS OF ST. HELEN'S
Children's Paradise That John E.
Parsons Founded in the Bcrkshires.

Many of Them year after year, have visited the
Home. and each season has only increased their af
lection for 1t. Some have left it this year never
to return have for the first time, but all
are devoted to IT, and St. Heen's holds place In
their hearts which time will only strengthen To
them it has been the greatest influence in their
lives. Physically it has meant health and strength;
mentally. happiness and contentment; spiritually,
right living. Potent indeed is this influence in their
young lives. influence which started them on the
right path many will follow after they have left the
Home for good.
Small wonder that St Helen's Home do
much. It's surroundings alone cannot fail to make
an impression entirely new. All that the Berkshire
Hills have of grandeur and beauty is lavishly
spread around the little village OF Interlaken Inc
mountains rise on every side. fringed with trees
near by and fading away in the purple haze OF the
distant ranges. It's crystal lakes and brooks dot
tho valleys every hand
Near the shores Of Stockbridge Bowl. the most
beautiful of all these lakes is Helens Home. the
brightest and Ivelest spot in the sleepy little New
England village OF Interlaken The home was found
ed years ago by John e. Parsons in memory OF his
daughter. Miss Helen R. Parsons. The cost or
maintenance is borne by the founder. ana thousands
of children have been recipients of his benefactions
in the last seventeen years Every facility 10 carry
the Fresh Air work effectively is provided The
affairs Of the Home under the general supervl-
sion of Mr.. Parsons and he looks after the enter
tainment of the children The direct supervisor
Of the Home is the superintendent E. g. W. Kerr,
of Princeton University; the matron is Miss George
Gordon of the Rye Settlement. and there are four
attendants-E. v. Thomas. of Princeton Miss Beu-
lah Cole. of Smith College; Miss Gertrude Scott. Of
Englewood. n. j., and A. G. Mitchell, OF the Uni
versty OF Pennsylvania
TRAINFUL OF JUST KIDS"
F4fty-three girls started last week for St. HeIen's
Home TO spend a two weeks vacation 1t was a
long journey for them but the dscomforts OF travel
were fully repaid by the prospect Of the coming
outing Hardly had they boarded the train when
ellie vrfb av-{pH nd
as soon as they we're opened all began Immediately
| TO eat their luncheon Although it was only 8
O'Clock and there four-hour ride before them
| they unable 20 resist the temptation 10 eat
| the repast near at hand Then followed the
/ appeal for water which continued throughout
| the trip until the water was gone and they were
| forced to go without
Each station was expected to be the last Few
had taken so long a ride before and ready to
| stop before they had been under way hour.
| Accompanying the innumerable requests for in
| formation the time when the train would ar
| rive. how far # and how many more stations.
the children filed IN constant stream down 70 the
end Of the car where the attendant sat, and volun
teered all kinds Of information. such as: Mister.
a girls crying: Mister Julia's hOmesick'; Mis-
ter sister won't tie my shoe; Mister, I've lost my
| penny" and so on ad inhnitum.
The train ride ended finally; yet there was stin
/ further 70 60 But a carriage ride over the noun
tains for two hours was different from the dusty
train and the girls enjoyed IT, They could Jump on
| when the horses rested and gather the flowers by
the roadside with screams Of pleasure The IN
familiar sights which every turn Of the road
| brought were asnever-endtnE source Of delight
! oh see the mountain said one
| Where's the mountain asked another
! cant you that big green thing up in front?
| rs that a mountain"
| But this ride too soon drew to close. and ST.
/ Helen's Home. with the brook running near BY
/ came into view
i THE SUPERIOR sEXs WELCOME.
| 1t had been a regular day for the fifty boys in
| the Home; that is to say. there had been no
/ special form OF entertainment planned. They had
| awaited the arrival Of the girls with certain
| condescension. for the two weeks which they had
/ spent there gave them attitude OF proprietor
| ship and they looked upon the strangers with an
air of superiority. They had arisen at O'Clock.
/ had breakfast and played baseball in the morn
ing In the afternoon they went for their daiiy
| swim in stockbridge Bowl. At the bathing place
| the bottom of the lake is of white sand, which
| slopes very gradually. that IT is shallow far
out from the shore When the boys returned the
girls had arrived, and were padding in the brook
| near by. in the rear OF the Home
Had it been a day of some special form Of en-
tertanment they would not have returned so early.
! "Wednesday would have found the party on an all
| day picnic on the shores Of Stockbridse Bowl or
Friday they would have been on hay ride through
Stockbrdge Glendale Lenox- II might nave
been an ice cream treat better still. a camp
L
| them away. For the camping trip Of the boys Is
| one Of the most solemn occasions of the outing
| All through the long hours Of the night they
| sleep i'm the dark woods. where every cracking
| twig which breaks the awful silence may De the
/ stem Of an approaching Indian But If IL Is. he
| doesn't get far. The boys who are seated around
| the campfire are not to be caught mapping. Out
| posts are thrown out all sides, and no one
/ approaches the campfire who does not know the
| password Valuable service is given by these sen
/ .,,oIs for many a night attack has been nipped
in the bud through their vigilance In the stiffness
| OF the. night the cry rings out:
! CAPTURE OF A REDsKIN.
| Halt! Who goes there
| A covering figure is seen In clump of bushes.
| its head bristlin6 with feathers.
| Advance and give the countersign,' rings out
! the fearless voice.
| No answer comes. The alarm IS given. and
| struggling Indian brought to the camp by de-
| tachment of the guard. To himself from
/ pronlpt execution the Indian removes his disguise
and appears as of the attendants. But this at
| tack even though fictitious has got the nerves
~ some Of the sentinels and when the cocoa sand
| witches and other ratons are handed out the watch
| begins to creep in, and finally after few songs
the boys wrap themselves in blankets and retire to
! the tent for the night. But they are up at day
break. and after a swim in the lake march home
| for breakfast.
! Put the day the girls arrived was only reg
ular day and they joined in the regular schedule
at $50 o'clock in the afternoon. when all lined up
for the short drill before going in to supper Be
fore each meal the children drill in front Of the
| house to the accompaniment Of drums and Gym
! halls After supper. If there is entertainment In
the theatre of the Home, hall well equipped with
the properties for entertainments and lectures. the
children play games. swing or are entertained with
storias told by the attendants. on this particular
d, the bovs lined up and initiated the girls into
| some Of the songs Of the Home. Round and
| round they marched. singing: