The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-02-24


many Of these poor souls must go forth
to meet Almighty God with the full
burden of their sins upon them. The
desire to ease this pain and suffering,
more poignant than the most intense
physical suffering can possibly be,
me and inspired me to do
all in my power to make their last
peaceful. These sisters go
among them. and when they find one
to have the priest it is their
duty to try and soften his heart and
induce him to receive the last rites Of
the Holy Church."
The work which is really nearest
and dearest to Miss Leary is that
among the Italians. She has lived in
Italy and knows the people, their
habits, characters and possibilities and
feels that much can be done with them
If they are properly trained to be self
supporting.
The Catholic Italian Benevolent So
ciety has recently requested her CO.
operation in its work among Italian
and she has consented to
become an officer of the society. The
officers and directors of the association
comprise the best element among
Italians resident in this country. Their
aim is to materially benefit their coun-
tryman and to raise sixty thousand
dollar fund as quickly as possible. The
Italian government has promised to
contribute the same amount to help
the work along in the United States.
Some twelve years ago Miss Leary
started an Italian settlement in Sulli-
van street. She established a sewing
class for mothers, the garments being
given to the women after they had
finished them. They were taught to
cut out and sew plain, warm dresses
and underclothes for theft little ones
taught to plan and use the material
economically. They were also taught
to work and to launder and assist In
many lines Of household economics.
The work soon outgrew its restricted
quarters in Sullivan street and last
winter Miss Leary purchased a house
in Charlton street near Hudson, which
has been fitted up with the idea ir
mind of extending the work into the
crafts and arts for which the sons ol
Italy are 80 justly renowned.
In the early spring she propose:
opening the adjoining house in Charl.
ton street as day nursery. where thu
Italian mothers may leave their chill
dren to be cared for while they go ou
for days work. These two houses
are really the nucleus of great insti
tuition for the hetterment of the Italian
population Of New York which Mis-
Leary proposes to found in the nea
future, to be known as the Plus X
University:
But she will not talk much abou
these great plans Of hers. Just a
present her hands are full and he
mind occupied with the finishing touch
es to her new home III upper Fiftl
avenue, overlooking the Park, in tn
hearth Of the wealth and society o
the city, that circle of friends who il
the past clustered around No. 80 Fiftl
avenue until driven further north b!
the encroachment of business.
The new Leary house lies midwa!
between the Clark mansion on tn
south and the Carnegie on the north
not far from the home of her lifelong
friend and contemporary, Mrs. Astor
And the mistress of the new home i
so happy settling her "lares ant
penates," knowing that as far a
human foresight can determine the!
will never more be disturbed.
No ruthless ground owner can ente
and demand possession of the land il
three days. 1t is hers; the house ha
been altered, practically rebuilt, upol
plans drawn out by Miss Leary.
On the day when the photograph
were taken, seated in one Of the heav!
carved mahogany chairs in the foye
hall was an old man. Poorly dressed
clearly a pensioner, thoroughly a
home, unimpressed by the splendor o
gold coronets, crimson plush hangings
gilded framed mirrors, priceless vase
and ornaments. he calmly awaited ;
reply to the note which he had sen
up to the Lady Bountiful of the man
sion. Shortly the soft voiced maid de
scended the stairs, holding an envelop
which clearly contained the answer t
his bequest.
The Alpha and Omega Of the littl
woman's life. The evidences of grea
wealth on every side. The deep. earn
est charity, which responds to the de
mands and needs of her less fortuna :
fellows.
"Inasmuch as ye have given unto on
Of these, it shall be given unto ye!"
isIT A CHRISTIAN NATioN7
Half the Christian Population Q
~