New-York tribune., 1909-07-28
LUCIA KNEW HER DUTY
Would Hare Stayed Home from
Country to Hold Baby.

Twenty-four little girls had gathered at the Sun
day school meeting of a city mission recently
TO receive instruction from the Fresh Air workers
for their two weeks vacation in the country There
! should have been twenty-five. but Lucia Gal
fonte was absent The worker in charge called the
roll and one by one the children answered to their
names She came to that of the missing one
Lucia" she called. HAS anybody seen Lucia
Gafonte?"
Her mother says she CANT CO." volunteered q
/ chorus Of voices
She told me she going yesterday" said the
worker. Helena, you out and find her, quick
In a few moments Helena returned out of breath
from the cecrity with which she went on the er-
rand.
Teacher. she's right down at the end of the
block and she says she won't come up" said
Helena.
We'll I'll GO myself replied the worker
She found the recalctrant Lucia playing on
dirty street corner not far distant.
Don't you want TO go 10 the country. Lucia?"
she said
MY mother like that I can't 60" replied
| the little seven-year-old.
Cant go! why, she told me only yesterday
that you could go. You come along with me"
But she says like that can't now. My mother
can't cook the dinner and hold the baby the
time"
Lucia recognized her duty TO stay home and hold
the baby if her mother needed her and family pride
wouldn't allow her TO be persuaded to other
point OF view. Arrangements were finally made
whereby the baby would be cared for when the
mother was occupied. and Lucia would be able TO
go with her playmates into the country.
The first letter which child receives from home
when it is in the country generally contains the
admonition, Don't forget send your regards TO
all the neghbors ard every one else you can think
Of" In few days a postal is sent home almost
invariably containing these words: Am having
good time. Regards to all the neighbors." The
recipient Of the postal card from the country is
then able 70 show the message TO all the dwelleTs
in the tenement who are friends Of the family and
every one is satisfied Each feels that he or
she has been remembered by the little having
a vacation in the country.
One hundred and forty-six children were
away yesterday OF this number ali but sixteen
went to De Ruyter. y. Y, and other towns along
the Lehigh Valley Railroad. The Seventh StTeet
Methodist Episcopal Church and the Cornell Mem
orial Church each sent forty children. The
Brooklyn Chdren's Aid Society sent twenty-five
and the Ovet Memorial Church twenty. The
party was made mp OF both boys and girls. The
only other party TO go out during the day was one
TO Russell, y +, Of sixteen boys and girls leav
ing the Grand Central Station at 7:5 O'Clock yes
terday morning Thirty-one children returned last
evening after spending a pleasant two weeks
tion at Savona. y. y.
A letter from attendant at OF the homes
gives insight into what is being accomplished
for the spiritual welfare OF the children:
Il came into the Fresh Ala work with A vague
idea Of It's privileges and opportunities. Now. at
the end OF my first party. must say that my live
Hest Imagination never pictured such a lmitless
field for work and such marvellous opportunities
for all that is worth while. 1t IS the ideal way 10
touch the best in child. For two weeks he Is
kept away from dirt and hunger and misery and
has Il chance 10 grow in strength and beauty. II
simply means giving him square deal What
kind OF a do you expect a boy 20 make ~ he
has been taught 70 swear some Of these boys
have? Not only Is II the chance OF lifetime but
OF after lifetime. for no one can tell what I'm
mortal flowers may bloom II the sunshine Of love
touches them"