The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-18
CLARA BARTON A aBoHEMIAN.,
The Good Woman Something of a
Trial to Her MethOdicaI Siaters.


Everyone, probably, has an idea of what
Clara Barton is like, but few have a correct
one. said a Red Cross nurse. 1.-THE photo
graphs OF her represent a plain-looking ell
derby woman OF sensible appearance. She
has attributes that photograph never re-
produces. Combined with the characteristics
that go to make her the really wonderful
woman she is, is one that the majority
would never suspect her of, and which, per-
haps, more than any other, makes her be-
loved In the very kind of work to which
she has given her life. Miss Barton is
regular bohemian. No daily frequenter of
little, out-of-the-way tables d'hote is a more
thorough bohemian in tastes than is Miss
Barton. When she is in New York she is
never happier than when taking her meals
hit or omewhere-anywhere The
odder the place and time the better it suits
her. AS 70 time, Miss Barton never bothers
herself. She gets things done when she gets
around to II, and if she has planned
thing for Tuesday morning, and gets it
done Thursday afternoon, it is all right
There may be considerable remonstrance
and fussing on the part of those who were
70 DO. the things with her, but she is never
nuttered in the least by that. She just pur-
sues sues the even tenor of her way, and if a
PRESIDENT and Cabinet have to wait awhile
because she isn't just on time for her ap-
pointment. well, it is Miss Barton, and they
simply wait.
The point about Miss Barton is that she
does get the things done, and done well.
even II IL is at her own time and in her own
way She is often subjected to much criti-
ISOLATED with her, because most people get
nervous when they wait for things to be put
through. Miss Barton isn't troubled with
nerves, however. For more than a week
curing her. recent stay in Washington She
nad Deen intending to go out to Camp Alger
70 visit the camp hospitals. Several of the
women interested in the Red Cross and
general relief work had obtained permission
70 go with her. Daily they met and sat
around and waited. Miss Barton would be
heard of by telephone, was here was there
would meet them in a few minutes was
called to the War Department or the NAVY
Department-possibly could not get out to
camp to-day, etc. After waiting some hours
the women would gather up fans para soils
ana satchelS, and, with wilted collars and
sHghtly ruff1ed feelings, go home and re-
turn 10 the meeting place next day. After a
week MISS Barton got to the camp She had
landed there Sunday, and none of the other
women caught up with her. They were not
needed, for she attended to it ali when she
iinaliy got round to it, She is what is called
'happy-go-lucky in her WAYS and what
some would consider a failing endears her
greatly 10 the masses of suffering men, who
look on her as good sort of saint
You never ask What's in a name?' after
you see the magic it works in camp hos
pltaI when word goes around that Miss
Barton is coming The men may never have
seen her, but they know she has come for
their special benefit, and they pin their
Ialth on the name that good deeds have
made known the world over. Miss Barton
can get right down to the level of ali her
boys. and they love her easy, pleasant
ways"