walk and run and romp and play, and the mothers could take the babies
for a breath of fresh air on the summer nights, when their work was
done.

Finding the law on the books, these kindly men determined to carry it
out, and so they built the pier at the foot of Third Street; and, when
that was finished, began work on the one at East Twenty-fourth Street,
which was opened the other day.

[Illustration: RECREATION PIER]

There are to be five of these piers in all--two on the west side, and
three on the east.

The pier was opened by the Mayor, amid much merry music and general good
feeling.

At the head of the pier a wooden band-stand had been erected. This was
gaily decked with flags, and filled with chairs for the city fathers,
who were to come and make speeches and give the pier to the people.

Seats had been set aside for the children, and the little ones flocked
to them in hundreds, seeming to feel that this pier was for their
especial benefit. They crowded every entrance, eagerly waiting for the
moment when the city should give the new building to the people.

Presently the Mayor, Colonel O'Brien, and several others walked down the
pier. Colonel O'Brien is the chief of the dock commissioners who have
worked so faithfully to give the people this pleasure.