Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-01-14

on the side Of right living and high
thinking. Her readers have often pic
tured to themselves how she looks, and
what personality is hidden under the
nom de plume of "Bab," but not until
last week did one of their number have
her curiosity gratitied and really enjoy
the privilege of face to face hand
shake with "Bab, now well-known to
be Mrs. Isabel A. Mallon, in her own
pretty quarters in Twenty-sixth street.
By her gentle, unaffected cordially she
completely won the heart of her guest,
the more readily perhaps because her
manner was such contrast to that
OF another woman, president of q
woman's club and editor of magazine,
who was not more busy, yet quite too
busy to take the trouble to give few
words OF information, and too busy even
to be courteous. 1t takes but little
trouble, often not more than a
kindly word, to make the way smooth
or rough to u fellow worker as we go
through life, yet that word is often
withheld.
Well, to return to "Bab." 1t took a
glance only about her room to know that
she loves pretty things and has hosts Of
friends. Tell you of my work2 Yes,
gladly if you care to hear" she said
at dates back 10 years, when l first
came to America from England with my
husband. Misfortune overlook us
shortly after we reached here, nv hus.
bands health failed, and plucked mp
courage to seek employment from the
editor of one of the daily papers. My
fine clothes, for was arraved in my
best, served as q passport to his sane
tum, as nothing would have done had
the attendants thought | looked as
though | needed help. The upshot of
the interview was that he engaged me,
and as a test of ability told me to write
an article on fans I intended to raise
the wind and took the usual method. It
was success, and have written in the
wake of that breeze ever since. I edit a
fashion department in the Home journal
and two women's departments in other
magazines, and write weekly syndi-
cate letter, besides occasional articles for
several New York papers, l have never
yet had an article returned.
MY Bah letters were started four
years ago in the Star, when William
DorsheiIner was at its head, and when
it changed hands made my present ar
rangement with the syndicate. No, |
never say anything as 'Bab' that
would not willingly say over my own
name, only some editors prefer that form
of signature. / thoroughly enjoy my
work, and the 'Bab' letter almost writes
itself work mornings from to 12
o'clock and dictate everything to a
stenographer. II is much less wearing
than penning my articles. can never
work after hearty meal, so / have my
cup OF coffee served in bad daily, and
take no solid food until noon, and it is
thus that do my best work. Yes, /
l love pretty things and books, and
have browsed among them all my life.
You see the two photographs in my
mirror. They are Mrs. Langtry and
Edith Sessions Upper. l have them
there SO that | may see them the first
thing in the morning and thus be re-
minded of two loyal friends and noble
hearted women. You recognize that
large photograph on the wall, do YOU
not? 1t is the first picture Mrs. Kendall
had taken in this country. Look close,
and read the inscription: TO Bah, my
first American FRIEND Indeed treasure
it, as / DO the friendship of so true a
woman. | am proud to say that had
the first interview with Mrs. Kendall of
any newspaper representative in
America.
Here is another of my treasures, this
gold watch, the gift of George w.
Childs. 1t has my monogram on one
side and the date on the other; the in
scription inside he knows nothing about.
but you may see it," she continued,
the spring and showing the
inner cover. The inscription read "From
the man who has the kindest thought
for women" He never fails to do
kindly thing for woman, rich or poor,
If the opportunity comes" explained
Dab" "fIe employs many women in
his newspaper office, who one and all
testify to his thoughtful consideration
for their welfare. 1t was at his instiga-
ton that some young men in Philadel-
phia opened a watch factory which
gives employment to over 700 women
and thus utilizes the gifts Of many grad
yates from the art schools who could
never paint successful pictures but who
can make beautiful designs for the etch-
ing and engraving of watch cases.
Another gift of which | am very
fond is that Of Jerome X. Jerome's
Diary of Pilgrimage with this writ
ten on the title page in the authors
hand writing: TO the most courteous
Of good ladies. You know | took a
prize at the doll show last year for
out the idea of Jerome's Three
Men in Boat to say nothing of the
dog. This sent to jerome and had a
lovely letter in reply. He is a clever
fellow and writes charmingly. Let me
say here that in all my intercourse with
newspaper men, | have never received
but courtesy at their hands.
Before you go you must see my pretty
silver. 1t is nearly all the gift of friends,
Ind | am very proud Of it. My bed
90, is present, and to me it is a tri-
lmph of art, with its pretty canopy. 1t
came on my birthday when | lay quite
II, and was moved from the old one
hat l might enjoy looking UP at the