New-York tribune., 1910-07-30
BENEFITS $500 CHILDREN
Good Record Made, as Fresh Air
Season Is Not Yet Half Over.
1900 HOT WEEKS RECORD
Joyous Scenes at Terminals as
Youngsters Return, with
Some Pathetic Incidents.

From the point of view of the Tribune
Fresh Air Fund the week ending to-day
has been a success. During its torrid days
more than twelve hundred children were
added to the number OF those sent 10 the
country. With the season less than half
over, this puts the total number Of bene-
ficiaries somewhere in the neighborhood OF
$500 Exact figures are not yet obtainaoie.
but the total will be greater rather than
less than the figure stated
II is pleasant sight to see a party OF
these Fresh Air children setting out for
their vacations, but 1t is even more i'm
preSsive to see one return When they
troop aboard boat or train ready for de-
parture the observer who knows their des-
tination thinks what an opportunity they
present for the cultivation Of tan and sun
burn and rosy cheeks. When the observer
sees them returning. two weeks later, he
realizes how well the work has been done
Three loads of youngsters rolled into the
Grand Central terminal yeSterday-one
from Pittsfield. Mass: one from Utica,
". Y. and one from Fairfield. Conn Peo-
pie on the trains who had something to
say to their companions waited for the
rumble of the cars TO stop, so as TO make
themselves heard But when the train had
come to a standstill they waited again. for
louder than the noise of the grinding
wheels rose the din os merry voices raised
in greeting to the friends and relatives who
had come to meet the returning travellers
The Pittsfield party crowded out OF the
trainshed one hundred strong, full OF the
Joy of strength and health But there IS
no unaIloyed JOY in this world. no summer
made up OF all golden days Waiting for
her children was a woman clad in mourn
ing AS two of the girls saw her they
raised the cry Mamma and rushed tow
ard her with open arms Before they
reached her. however. they halted. stopped
by something strange in her appearance
1t was her black dress.
During their stay in the country little
sister at home had died, and the brave
mother anxious that they should not have
their holiday spoiled. had buried the sor-
row deep IN her heart as long as she could
Around the fearful little group they
formed all the other children Of the party
gathered with silent sympathy written on
their faces To some of them, too, it was
a real sorrow. for they had been playnates
Of the cl'ild who had been taken
The party that came from Utica had been
on the road six hours, and it took good
deal CT rrisking about to work the kinks
and cramps out OF their youthful limbs
Most OF the members OF the party had
brought with them as great trophies or
their trip, bags of green peas which they
had picked with their own hands for their
mothers But the cravings of childish ap-
petite must be satisfied. and soon the whole
company was seated on the benches IN the
station, while they waited for the escort
who was to take them home. shelling and
eating peas with evident relish, much TO
the amusement of the throns passing
through the waiting room
Parties went out yesterday to Manor
vtlIe Long Island. TO Ardsley, N Y. and
to Fairfield, Conn