May own his gift Divine! as sure may trace
Its Source, as that of waters kind hands hold
To thirsty lips; nor need he mourn (since grace
Of his hath such refreshment wrought) if gold
Be scant; to him hath richer boon been given
An earth-bowed head to raise the nearer heaven.
There is no sight more truly gladdening to the heart of the philanthropist than to behold the large barges, built after the model of Noah's Ark, gliding swiftly through the beautiful waters of New York Bay, heavily laden with the news-boys, working-girls, or poor mothers and children of the city. Thanks to the New York Press, and the contributors to the Fresh Air Fund, for thus giving the multitudes of children, that are thickly huddled together in our tenement-houses, an opportunity of inhaling pure air.
One of the pioneers in this good work was the New York Times. In 1872, that paper started the "Times' Excursion for Poor Children;" ay, and for poor adults, too. The public nobly responded to the Times' appeal, sending in about $20,000. During the sweltering summer of that year, the Times' people carried to shady groves and seasides tens of thousands of children who, for the first time, saw running streams and green fields. No one can estimate the good done, the lives saved, and the hours of happiness secured to young and old who have so few happy hours. Not the least was that of softening hearts and opening purses.
In this noble work we find our deceased friend earnestly engaged instead of taking a vacation in the hot summer months. In her diary we find the following concerning one of these summer seasons:
"It has been a great privilege, during the summer months, to be able to make so many poor mother's happy, by taking them and their children to the sea-side for bathing and country air. There has been much sickness in the tenement-houses. It is, indeed, distressing often to see two sick in one bed, the others nearly ready to be there, and the poor mothers, with but little means, scarcely able to do their work and take care of the sick ones.