The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-06

HER WORK-HER FADS-HER INTER'
EST-NOTES.
A Winning Personslity-An Italian We.
man Lswysr--A SOCIAL sscretsyy's"
Rudeness.
Loyeablc IL Eccentric.

Mary Carpenter, who gave her life to
Reformatory and Ragged School WORK In
Bristol, England, is described by those
VINO labored with ner as not only the
most earnest but the most lovabie OF
women. Sne had no sympathy with
those who denied themselves bo0ily COM
forts. because she felt that such a prac-
tice involved weakening of powers which
are entrusted to lis for good use. Yet
by nature she was an absolute stole,
quite indifferent to the simple pleasures
of life. She once said. with great sim
plicity, that at country house where
she had passed a few days. the ladies
and gentlemen all came down dressed for
dinner and evidently thought the meal
rather pleasant part of the day."
Salt beef and ham were so easily order
Ell that they appeared often on her Ia
bic, and at length an inmate of her house
demonstrated, and preferred request
for vegetables. Next day, as they en-
tered their little dining-room. Miss Car
penter said, complacently, with a happy
smile:
"You see have not forgotten Your wish
for vegetables!'
And there, ON small plate, stood six
little radishes
Her special chair was a hair-ciOth one
with wooden arms, and on the seat she
had placed small, square cushion. as
hard as a board. A. friend one day took
up the cushion, and ironically tainted her
with the love of luxury 1t indicated.
YES indeed" sad Miss Carpenter with
infinite simplicity; Il am sorry 10 say
that since my illness 1 have been obliged
to have recourse to these indulgences.'
Her standard of rigor was even appllca-
BILE to animals. one day she came upon
the house dog. Lying upon the broad of
her very broad back" on the
rug before the fire. Miss Car
penter looked At her gravely for
some seconds, and then turned away,
saying in tone of deep moral disap-
probation: "Self-indulgent dog
But she had great sense of humor, and
could laugh heartily enough at her own
weaknesses when they were set forth be-
fore her. one day she said. In conf
pany Of half a dozen people, each of
whom was devoted to some special re-
form:
IT'S a great pity that everybody VIII
| not Join and give the whole of their at
tention to the great cause of the age,
because if they would we should undoubt-
| edIy carry it,
what is the great cause of the age?'
asked everybody at once. "Parliamenta-
~ reform? THE abolition Of slavery
| "Teetotalism?" woman suffrage
| Miss Carpenter looked serenity about, In
| the midst of the clamor.
| why" said she, 1.-THE Industrial Schools
| bill. of course" And nobody enjoyed the
| Joke more than the reformer herself.
| She had the reputation of loving TO talk
| better than TO listen. and a Governor of
| Madras said after her visit there: Il
listened to what Miss Carpenter had 10 tell
| me- but when | began to tell her what l
| knew of this country she dropped to
| sleep"
| But her brain was always overwearied
| and when she had talked for two OF
| three hours about her philanthropic
| schemes, no wonder her power OF atteh'
| ton suddenly collapsed.
When Samuel J May went to pass two
| or three days a her house in Bristol. she
| was delighted to take him about and SHOW
| him her schools. He listened with great
| interest for time. but at length his at
| tention tagged and he said to Miss Cobbe,
| who was patiently silent:
when can we have our talk, which
| Theodore Parker promised me!
"Oh. by and byr said Miss Carpenter
cheerfully: and so she always interpOsed,
until one day when the three were pre-
pairing to mount a flight of tremendous
| stairs, she exclaimed:
Now Mr.. May and Miss Cobbe, you
| can have your talk"
They gratefully began. breathless as
| they were, but at the top Of the steps
| Miss Carpenter quietly took the converse
| ton again into her own hands. Youth S
| Companion.