The Washington times., 1910-11-08
Sight of Happy, Healthy
Children Changes Views
of Skeptic.
WISHES TO HELP
LITTLE ONES CAUSE
Trip to Mt. Pleasant g Revelation.
But That's What They All Say"
Secretary West Remarks.

He was a crouch. and he didn't be-
lieve In Fairgrounds anyhow.
why. goodness saHes. man. it stands
to reason that a child II he tires him
self out on a playground isn't going
TO be able to study as effectively as
If he went home and took a nap" he
said.
Took a nap. one of his thousands of
kids take a nap In the afternoon. James
Z West, secretary OF the District Play
grounds Association, almost fell over
backward.
why, say'-he started. then chang
ing his mind grabbed Mr. Crouch by
the arm and hustled him into his car.
Where are we SOiug2" feebly splut-
tered Mr.. Crouch.
You are gona see some O. these kids
at the Fairgrounds" Mr. West ocCa-
the small boy IN whom he takes such
deep interest.
And fifteen minutes later Mr.. Crouch
was led out of the car. and hustled
Into the enclosed Mt. Pleasant grounds.
The larger boys and girls had not
been released from school yet, and the
Fairgrounds fairly squirmed with tiny
America, between the ages of two and
six years.
AS Mr. West entered the gate there
vas Il AANAAF 'AAVuAf anu At'NA GltlEAlD
Mist West" and d" 10 AIistner Yves. %
and "Haddoo Mr.. West" broke from
every quarter
Mr.. Crouch Envious.
Mr. Crouch turned and looked at Mr.
West himself. Perhaps, there was a lit
tie envy in his glance
How do you do, Mr.. West" he said
bowling.
Here is the sand box" was Mr.
Vests rejoiner, pointing toward where
half dozen Ted-cheeked tots wallowed
Joyously uncOncerned with the ccndi-
ton Of their clothes.
"Jovel they are so healthy II is posi-
lively vulgar" marveled Mr.. Crouch.
Nhere'd you get emp Are they pick
ed for exhibition" Mr.. West smiled
And here" he said. ARE the shoot
the-ChuteS."
A youngster Of three years with a
whOOp came whirling down the slide
In the ecstasy OF his delight he forgot
70 drop his legs at the bottom and plOp-
ped down on the ground with a bump
He did not even puCker up his face
He reached around to the wounded sec
ton and ascertaining that everything
was intact streaked IL for the steps
10 take another flyer.
Wei. did you get that breathed Mr..
Crouch. wide-eyed with wonder. Why
IL my kid was TO get a bump like that
he would yell the top or his head off,
How much did you say YOU needed to
keep these Fairgrounds open, Mr..
West2''
$4,000 Is Needed.
Five thousand dollars, but we have
a good bit Of It already-something over
a thousand. which we have raised since
we began this campaign"
"Over here you see the swings" he
continued, moving 10 another part Of
the grounds.
Another whoop greeted his coming
and he was again kept busy replying
TO his young proteSes' greeting. Every
swing was running fun tilt in the oiled
sockets and round red faces and plump
little legs filed the air.
Did you ever see anything to beat
the confidence of these little ginks 90
Mr. Crouch was wearing a fixed ex-
preston Of surprise and wonder.
And here is the rocking boat. and
over there the Flying Dutchman. See
any tired little fellows in there2 Those
are the rowing horses over there III
give YOU IS apiece for the anaenlic
youngsters you find at that game.
Back here is a tether ball pole-an-
other is at the other end OF the grounds.
and over the fence there the larger boys
play baseball and football. If you see
to study, Just say so. and I'll give up
Mr.. Crouch At Play.
- Mr.. Crouch glanced enviously at the
shoot-the-chutes-
Gee. I never had anything Ike that
when l was a kid
He grabbed hold Of one OF the Lam
dies on the Flying Dutchman and gave
a little run and jump. He saw one Of
the young women in charge of the play
grounds smiling. and, blushing furI-
Ously. he desisted.
Say, these grounds are great stunt
all right. and I'm for EN- from now
onH'
That's what they all say, once they
have seer them" remarked Mr.. West
sagely-
They turned toward the gate a0ain.
and were halfway there when a little